Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014: EUROPA and EUROPA 2 receive top distinction of 5-stars plus

Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014: EUROPA and EUROPA 2 receive top distinction of 5-stars plus

·         For the first time, two ships have been awarded the 5-stars-plus rating
·         The expedition ship HANSEATIC took first place in the "boutique ships" category

The latest edition of the popular "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships" has awarded the two sister ships in the luxury sector, the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the highest distinction of 5-stars-plus. This makes both ships global leaders. The expedition ship HANSEATIC was ranked in first place in the top ten "boutique ships" with up to 250 passengers.

Attaining 1,860 points out of a possible 2,000, the EUROPA 2 achieved the highest score. Together with its sister ship, the EUROPA has once again been included in the 5-stars-plus category with 1,851 points. This allowed both luxury ships to claim first and second place amongst the top ten "small ships" with up to 750 passengers. The HANSEATIC improved its score with 1,765 points and, as the only expedition ship to be awarded five stars, is featured in the top ten list of "boutique ships" for the first time. The BREMEN also improved its score with a total of 1,555 points and was awarded the 4-stars-plus rating.

"In the 29-year history of Berlitz ratings, this is the first time two cruise ships are in the exclusive 5-stars-plus-club. No other ships currently achieve such a high standard, which are set by the EUROPA and EUROPA 2 and their crews," says Douglas Ward at the presentation of the Berlitz award to the management of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "The EUROPA 2 has also achieved the highest score ever in the history of the book. She offers a great space per passenger ratio, much light through the high windows, an excellent and high-class culinary choice and attentive and unobtrusive service," explains Douglas Ward.

"We are especially proud to be global leaders in the luxury sector with both ships," said Karl J. Pojer, chief executive officer of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "This score is a special distinction for the crews of the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2 who are setting the bar in the sector with their quality and service. It is also a huge 'thank you' to the team in Hamburg and a welcome affirmation of our strategy in the luxury and expedition sectors," explained Pojer.

Author Douglas Ward and his team tested a total of 285 cruise ships around the world and scored them based on criteria such as ship fittings, menus, restaurant quality, service, crew, entertainment and the cruise experience.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com. All press releases and a picture gallery can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/press. For EUROPA 2 images, visit http://www.hl-cruises.com/press/photoarchive/cruises-fleet/ms-europa-2/.

Reservations: Please call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), send an e-mail to salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.

Discount on Voyager of the Seas Cruise

HUGE SAVINGS ON VOYAGER CRUISE

MANY of the most exciting port calls in New Zealand, Australia and Asia are included in a 44-night fly/cruise package which has been reduced in price by nearly $4000 per person by cruise specialists ecruising.travel if you book by October 30.

The cruise onboard  Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney on March 9, 2014, and the price includes all accommodation and meals during the cruise, one way air fares from Tokyo to Sydney and all air taxes and port charges. Priced from $5319 per person twin share.

When Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney she will call firstly at Auckland and then travel down the NZ coast to Tauranga, Napier, Dunedin, and the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds before crossing to Melbourne. The ship will then make calls at Adelaide, Perth and Port Hedland before a few days at sea on the way to Bangkok for a two-day stay.

After stops at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong the ship will make calls to unusual destinations like Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan and the Japanese city of Nagasaki before disembarking in Tokyo for a two night stay at the Shangri-La hotel.

Voyager of the Seas has a great selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, plus an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, spa and fitness center, golf simulator and casino.

For more information on this itinerary contact ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel

Viking's 15-day Grand European Tour from $5,795*per person SAVE $1,000* per couple

15-day Grand European Tour from $5,795*per person SAVE $1,000* per couple

Amsterdam to Budapest or v.v.

 

Imagine 15 magical days along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. From Holland's windmill-studded tulip fields to Germany's fairytale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards ofAustria's Wachau Valley, this epic voyage presents the highlights of Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Savor a decadent Sachertorte in a Viennese café and panoramic views of imperial Budapest—and along the way, discover the legend of the Lorelei, the ancient art of glassblowing, the music of Mozart and more. Guests who choose this voyage soon see why it is our most popular itinerary.

 

Includes: 14-nights onboard NEW Viking Lif or Viking Skadi in river-view stateroom, 13 guided tours, all onboard meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners, Culture Curriculum, port charges, all tipping and gratuities.

 

PLUS, book before 30 September, 2013 to receive complimentary on board Silver Spirits Beverage package including unlimited wine, beer, premium cocktails, soft drinks, juices and specialty coffees.

 

For more information visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au or call us now on 1800 131 744.

 

Conditions: Price is in Australian Dollars, per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Valid on 2014 sailings only. Price includes current booking discount and isbased on: 15 Nov 2014 departure in cat F stateroom. Must book by 30 September 2013. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to revise and withdraw pricing and discounts throughout the season without prior notice.  Conditions apply, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au.

Celebrity Cruises Stirs and Shakes at Sea with New Craft Cocktails

                                                                                                                        

Celebrity Cruises is shaking up the onboard bar scene by significantly expanding its selections of cocktails, offering 30 new craft cocktails exclusively onboard.

 

Celebrity's new craft cocktail experience was developed through an alliance with artisanal cocktail developers Hawthorn Beverage Group, founded by noted cocktail creator Josh Durr. Hailing from Kentucky, Durr has been honoured with a "Rising Star Award" from Cheers magazine and has his clients include Apiary, Diageo, Pernod, Remy Cointreau and Ruth's Chris, among others.

 

The new craft cocktails blend vintage-style liqueurs with fresh ingredients, organic juices and the finest artisanal spirits, resulting in a combination of new-school brews and updated old-school favourites. A new line-up of "zero-proof" (non-alcoholic) cocktails also will be introduced including 'Sparkling Mint Lemonade' and 'Raspberry Fizz', along with an assortment of fine wines by the glass. Celebrity's current list of international beer selections will be expanded too, including everything from pale ales and IPA's to Belgian ales and premium lagers.

 

"Together with Josh Durr and the highly skilled mixologists at Hawthorn, we worked to create flavour profiles that vacationers will thoroughly enjoy, while also focusing on the details, quality of ingredients, and craftsmanship," said Celebrity's manager of Beverage Development Chanelle Duarte. "Through our creative guidance and the methodical specifications of Josh and his team, Celebrity is 'stirring up' an authentic, trend-forward craft cocktail bar experience for our guests."

 

Celebrity Cruises guests will have the opportunity to indulge in the full, new craft cocktail experience across its modern luxury fleet by the end of 2013.

 

Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will sail from Australia and New Zealand this summer season to exciting destinations locally and within the South Pacific and Asia.

 

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Royal Caribbean Upgrades Guests’ View on Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda Sailings

Guests enjoy great rates on Oceanview and Balcony Staterooms in August on tropical itineraries! 

Royal Caribbean is enticing Aussies to swap the winter blues for tropical views in the sunny Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda with a free upgrade* offer!

The free upgrade* offer is applicable to all new and individual bookings in August 2013 on three to 10 night Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing from 1^st September 2013 through 30^th April 2014.

Guests who take advantage of the free upgrade* offer will be able to experience some of the most revolutionary at-sea experiences onboard their choice of superliner.

Enjoy Oceanview category stateroom for the price of an Interior stateroom onboard:

• Enchantment of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas

Enjoy a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview category stateroom onboard:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas

Fares start from $1,139 per person for a Balcony stateroom (including free upgrade) for a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 9 November 2013.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class holiday experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry "firsts" never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.

The local Royal Caribbean team look forward to the return of the Royal Caribbean International superliners to Australia & New Zealand for the summer season in October, 2013. The Royal Caribbean International superliners sailing locally and to the South Pacific are Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas.  

For more information about Royal Caribbean's upgrade offer and the brand, visit: RoyalCaribbean.com.au.

*Cabin type and upgrade varies per ship. Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Excludes Vision of the Seas sailings. The free upgrade offer is applicable for all new, individual bookings made by 31 August 2013 on three to 10 night Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing from 1^st September 2013, through 30^th April 2014. Any booking that is cancelled and then rebooked during the offer period will not be eligible for the promotion.

Great Deals on the Horizon as National Cruise Week Nears

Australian holidaymakers can look forward to a flood of great deals from cruise lines around the world, when National Cruise Week gets underway on September 2.

Coordinated by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia, the cruise promotion features deals from dozens of international cruise lines which will be available exclusively from CLIA travel agent members across the country from September 2-9.

The deals will include special discounts, upgrades and bonus offers on bookings, with travel agents planning an array of special activities to promote the offers to holidaymakers.

To find their nearest CLIA travel agent member and learn more about what's happening in their area, holidaymakers should visit www.nationalcruiseweek.com.au

From August 23, the website will also promote the range of special deals being offered during the week.

CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said National Cruise Week was a great way for consumers to find out more about cruise holidays - from ocean cruises to river cruising and smaller expedition ships – and to pick up a great deal.

"For those who already know that cruising is a great value holiday, National Cruise Week is the perfect time to take advantage of some fantastic deals. And for those who've yet to experience a cruise, it's the ideal time to contact a local cruise specialist travel agent and find out more about the options available."

Mr Jardine said latest industry figures showed that Australia continued to be one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world with almost 700,000 Australians enjoying a cruise in 2012.

"More and more Australians are discovering that cruising is one of the easiest ways to travel.  We're looking forward to highlighting all the cruise options and all the new deals during National Cruise Week so that we can welcome even more Australians onboard our ships next year," he said.