Extend your Silversea European experience with combination cruises

Silversea Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to combine two or more of its magical European voyages into one superb experience in 2020. Departing between March and October 2020 and typically spanning 14-36 nights, the hand-picked selection of Combination Cruises not only combines the very best the region has to offer but allows an in-depth insight to each destination. Offering exceptional value for money, Combination Cruise fares start at only AU$489pp per day, including a 10% Early Booking Bonus and additional discounts*. Return economy flights can also be added from only AU$1,750pp or guests can upgrade to business class with special reduced fares.

Offering an unparalleled variety of destinations throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the British Isles and beyond, the Combination Cruises allow guests to get closer than ever to the eternal romance of Europe, travelling in whispered luxury aboard five of Silversea’s intimate vessels, including the cutting edge new build, Silver Moon—set to launch in August 2020. Perfect for long haul travellers, the extended voyages enable guests to spend time unlocking deeper travel experiences as they sail though regions of unrivalled beauty. Highlights of the diverse Combination Cruises include:

Lisbon to Dublin – departing 7 May 2020, on a 22-day expedition voyage on board Silver Cloud, guests will discover the flavours of Portugal, Spain, France and Britain as they travel the Atlantic coasts. Encompassing 22 Ports, 6 countries and overnights in Bordeaux and London, guests will also have the chance to enjoy the legendary hospitality of the Celts with the opportunity to island hop the most beautiful British and Irish isles, complete with colourful vistas and infused with drama, decadence and history. Cruise only fares start from AU$13,960* per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including Early Booking Bonus and a non-use air-credit for each voyage.

Barcelona to Venice – departing on 12 September 2020, this 20-day voyage on board Silver Moon will transport guests through ancient worlds on what will be her inaugural season in the Mediterranean. Visiting 17 different ports, guests will discover some of the most historic places in Europe during calls in Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey and Croatia. Highlights include the must-see Ephesus, Rhodes' colossus and Venice’s iconic canals. Cruise only fares start from AU$13,060* per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including Early Booking Bonus and a non-use air credit for each voyage.

London (Greenwich) Roundtrip – departing on 6 June 2020, guests on board Silver Whisper will enjoy a 27-day roundtrip sailing from Greenwich, London, including two overnights in London and an overnight in Edinburgh, Scotland. Calling in the UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway, guests will discover pristine landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, fumaroles, mountain ranges, black sand beaches, snow-covered slopes, and endless untouched forests. Cruise only fares start from AU$17,200* per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including Early Booking Bonus and a non-use air credit for each voyage.

Athens (Piraeus) to Dubai – Silver Spirit departs Athens on 29 October 2020, on a 24-day voyage to Dubai. Commencing with Athens’ dynamic mix of old and new, guests will discover the exquisite allure of the Greek Isles before travelling the mysterious Arabian and Red Seas. Highlights include an overnight in Ashdod, Jerusalem and Safaga (Luxor), Egypt. Guests will be able to relax and unwind during days at sea, providing the perfect opportunity for reflection after visiting Petra and the Holy Land. Cruise only fares start from AU$11,750* per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including Early Booking Bonus and a non-use air credit for eligible voyage – SL201029007.

Whilst travelling aboard Silversea ships, guests enjoy spacious ocean-view suites, sumptuous cuisine, and the personalised service of a butler. Enriching the onboard experience are such all-inclusive amenities as complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks; an in-suite bar, stocked with guests' preferences; an in-suite 24-hour dining service; lecture and enrichment programmes; and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.

View the range of Combination Cruises: https://www.silversea.com/landing-combination-cruises.html

To download the brochure for Silversea’s European Combination Voyages please click here.

*Combination Cruises are available on a selected number of limited voyages. Fares are based on double occupancy on a Vista Suite unless otherwise specified. Voyages and special offers are subject to change and may be withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. For more information on Silversea, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 or visit www.silversea.com.

Dream Cruises expands Australian cruise offerings

Dream Cruises has announced new cruise options for Australia's East coast, releasing a series of short sector itineraries and a new embarkation point in Newcastle.

Explorer Dream will be the first of the Dream Cruises fleet to homeport in Australia (at Sydney's White Bay Cruise Terminal), with the first departure due to set sail from Sydney on 27 October 2019.

In addition to the seven-night coastal cruises to Queensland and Tasmania, Dream Cruises has released a series of short sector cruise options. There are six new sectors to choose from, including one-way and weekend cruises.

Consumers can now opt to cruise one way from Brisbane to Sydney or reverse, with a choice of two, three, four and five-night itineraries available.

Dream Cruises has further expanded their offerings by announcing a new embarkation point – Newcastle. Novocastrians can depart from the convenience of their local port, with two departures dates available. There is a four-night cruise departing 4 November 2019 from Newcastle to Brisbane (via Gladstone and the Sunshine Coast) and a seven-night round-trip from Newcastle on 25 November 2019, visiting Gladstone, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Sydney.

Fares start from AU$286 per person twin share for a two-night cruise from Brisbane to Sydney.

For full details visit dreamcruiseline.com or phone Dream Cruises on 02 9212 6288.

READ THE FLYER HERE

Cruise Growth Continues Despite Infrastructure Constraints

Australia has continued its long run of cruising growth with a total of 1.35 million Australians taking an ocean cruise during 2018, a slight increase on the previous year's record.

However, growth slowed to just 0.9 per cent year-on-year, according to the 2018 Ocean Source Market report for Australia released today by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), reflecting capacity constraints associated with a shortage of berthing infrastructure in Sydney.

Despite the lower growth, the result still showed a higher number of Australians choosing a cruising holiday than ever before. Nearly one in every 17 Aussies, or 5.8 per cent of the population, took a cruise last year, giving Australia the highest market penetration rate of the world's major established cruise markets – ahead of the US (4.0%), the UK (3.0%) and Germany (2.8%).

Cruising in local waters (Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific) grew by just 0.1% over figures for 2017, reflecting current infrastructure constraints. But this was offset by growth of 3.4% in the number of Australians taking fly-cruise options in destinations further afield, indicating demand remains strong in the Australian market.




"Cruising continues to be exceptionally popular among Australian travellers after many years of growth and world-leading market penetration," said CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz. "A lack of berthing capacity in Sydney has hampered cruise lines' efforts to expand their operations in local waters, but the increasing number of Australians flying to ports overseas shows the market is still strong and holds great potential for the future."

CLIA's report says a subdued growth trend will continue in the short term into 2019, but it predicts a return to stronger growth in the near future.

"Cruise lines have already announced significant new vessel deployments in this region from the 2020-21 season, with smaller, older ships to be replaced with newer, larger options," Mr Katz said. "Combined with the construction of a new International Cruise Terminal in Brisbane and other projects announced in Cairns, Eden and Broome, this is expected to reignite growth in the Australian market."

Mr Katz said the development of new berthing facilities in Sydney remained the most urgent infrastructure priority for the cruise sector in Australasia, and that the industry looked forward to further announcements on the NSW Government's Cruise Development Plan.

Other findings from the 2018 Ocean Source Market report include:

NSW still represented more than half the Australian ocean cruise market (53%), but its share fell as popularity grew in other states, with Qld contributing 22% and Vic 13%.
The average age of the Australian cruise passenger remained steady at 49 years.
Growth in short domestic cruises lowered the average cruise length, which was down from 9.1 days in 2017 to 8.8 days in 2018.

In the inbound market, about 200,000 people came from other regions to cruise in Australasian waters in 2018, more than half from North America.

The majority of Australians cruised within Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific (76.6%). Europe/Mediterranean was the most popular long-haul destination (8.1%), followed by North America/Caribbean/Alaska/Hawaii (7.3%) and Asia (5.4%).

Worldwide, 28.5 million people took a cruise in 2018, a 6.7% increase on the previous year. This figure is forecast to break the 30 million barrier in 2019.

To download a copy of CLIA's 2018 Ocean Source Market report for Australia, click here

Holland America brings you the world

The 145-year-old Dutch shipping line, now a Carnival brand, brings a luxury touch to their fleet of 15 mid-sized cruise ships all over the world.

While Holland America’s (HAL) unrivalled global reach extends across the globe with more than 470 ports of call, it’s here in Alaska where the venerable brand is in its element.

Claim as they might, no one other premium cruise line can match HAL’s coverage of this fabulous territory, filled with stunning scenery, photogenic wildlife and activities to match.

I’ve come all the way from Australia, just like many thousands of fellow Aussies do every year, to the crisp, clear air of this wilderness wonderland. Here, I’m aboard the ms Eurodam, HAL’s first Signature-class cruise ship which entered service in 2008.

And I’ve diligently preselected my shore excursions from the vast catalog offered to everyone who travels here - and on any HAL ship elsewhere in the world.

Even though I must watch my fellow fishers gloat over their prize king salmon during fishing excursion in Ketchikan, it’s is just one of countless shoreside offerings throughout Holland America’s network of port calls as we cruise serenely through the placid channels of Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Occasionally we stop to ogle the great glaciers while keeping an eye out for bears and moose as bald eagles wheel overhead.

During our stop in Juneau, I choose a thrilling hovercraft ride in a tiny 6-person machine. We skim across the water, mudflats and grassland as if it were nothing, all the way to the foot of the massive 56-kilometre Taku Glacier.

In Sitka I opt for a calming kayak paddle around the quiet nooks and crannies away from the township and the milling passengers. Add helicopter flightseeing, floatplane adventures, dog-sledding and sea kayaking and you have some idea of the scope of activity laid out for us when choosing what to do when you go ashore.

Cruise passengers throng the streets of Juneau (R Eime)

Getting out of the ports and onto an excursion is my idea of experiencing any destination. When the ship is alongside here during the busy summer cruise season, around 2000 people from each ship, plus crew, are wandering the streets and retail strip. There’s quite a hustle and bustle along the frontier-style shopping strip with everything from craft beer, faux fur coats and hats, gemstones and jewellry being hawked in a style not unlike the enterprising merchants who “mined the miners” in the goldrush days, selling them everything from eggs at a dollar apiece to gold-sniffing gophers.

Holland America Line (HAL) now operates an unequalled seven ships in Alaska. The 49th state is a firm favourite and once you’ve been aboard with HAL, it’s easy to see why so many diehard HAL fans keep coming back. An envied reputation for dining, whether in the main dining or a specialty restaurant, quality entertainment and shows as well as cabins, suites and staterooms that other cruise lines are always trying to match, keeps HAL at the forefront.

HAL is now a familiar sight in Australia and New Zealand ports too, with ships sailing all around our coastal waters and throughout the South Pacific. The Vista-class Ms Noordam (1924 pax) and Statendam-class ms Maasdam (1258 pax) are regular visitors, bringing HAL’s famous quality reputation right to our doorstep with most voyages either departing or arriving in Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland.

Apart from that, there’s very little of the world left that is not visited by a HAL ship. You can find comprehensive itineraries throughout North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and all of the Pacific including Asia and Japan.

Eurodam carries a maximum of 2104 guests, about half that of the biggest ships currently being launched. She recently received many updates, including new lounge, dining and entertainment venues, and completely refreshed suites.

Speciality dining venues such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto and Tamarind offer tantalising alternatives to the quality main Dining Room. Plus there are many ‘food court’ style venues like Dive-In burger bar and New York Pizza as well as the wide range on offer in the Lido Market buffet.

Entertainment comes in rockin’ style at B.B. King's Blues Club or sophisticated classics on Lincoln Center Stage. The Main Stage is the venue for live, Broadway-style shows and performances.

Onboard activities include exclusive America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows and workshops, BBC Earth Experiences (which combine live music against a backdrop of mesmerizing footage from the BBC Earth television series), computer classes, extensive Greenhouse Spa and salon facilities, as well as wine, beer and whisky tastings.

Kids (or grandkids) 3-17 have their own supervised activities and dedicated ‘Club HAL’.

Cabins, suites and staterooms range from the presidential-style, 126sqm Pinnacle suite through Verandah and Ocean View to Interior, all with quality bedding, bathtubs and flat panel TVs with on-demand programming.

While reading about all these features and benefits will make you feel confident, it isn’t until you are aboard a HAL ship until you fully realise just why cruisers keep coming back and why this premium cruise line has the reputation of the best in its class.

Coming Down Under: Special offers for Dream Cruises

Dream Cruises has launched special promotional rates for Explorer Dream cruises departing from Sydney. The new “DreamSaver” promo has been released in celebration of Explorer Dream’s recent christening in Shanghai.

Guests can take advantage of savings up to 30% for cruises departing Sydney between 27 October 2019 and 23 February 2020. There are a range of 7-night itineraries to choose from, with destinations including Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand. Prices start from just $505 per person twin share (Sydney to Auckland).

For dates, rates and itineraries, view the flyer attached or contact Dream Cruises on +61 9212 6288 or 1300 658 666.

Dream Cruises launches Explorer Dream

Dream Cruises has welcomed the third member of its fleet with the christening and inaugural homeport deployment of Explorer Dream at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.

Honorable guests Mr Su Ping, Vice Magistrate of Shanghai Baoshan District Government and Mr Hui Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Genting Hong Kong were joined by management executives and over 500 guests at the ceremonial launch event. The christening ceremony featured Ms. Grace Chen, the godmother of Explorer Dream and one of the most influential fashion innovators in China. The innovative christening was activated by her magic wand of dreams and aspirations and the spirit of exploration was symbolised by a majestic unicorn that led the iconic Dream Cruises’ mermaid out of the ocean and into a new realm, where she will embark on the quest to discover new horizons across the seas. With the traditional breaking of the champagne bottle against the bow of the ship, Explorer Dream officially began her journey with Dream Cruises.

After the inaugural ceremony, Grace Chen presented a spectacular fashion show at sea aboard the ship. Eighteen models showcased her Voyage collection and walked the runway on the Palace Pool Deck, where guests enjoyed a visual feast inspired by the spirit of exploration and discovery, both of which are the brand essence of Dream Cruises.

Since its launch two years ago, Dream Cruises has garnered numerous accolades for its two cruise ships, Genting Dream which debuted in 2016 and World Dream in 2017, including Star Performer Top Ten Ratings in the Large Resort Category, Top 5 Cruise Lines in the Large/Medium sized cruise ship category by Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List and more.

Built with German craftsmanship, Explorer Dream measures 268 metres in length and 32 metres in width. She has a total gross tonnage of 75,338 tons, 928 cabins and lower berth capacity of 1,856 passengers. The signature, luxury “ship within a ship” enclave of Dream Cruises - The Palace, provides a next-level luxury experience for discerning travellers, boasting an industry leading staff to guest ratio, a majority of suites over 40 square metres, as well as bespoke 24-hour butler service and exclusive guest privileges.

A generous variety of culinary options will also be available to cater for every taste – from inspired Asian flavours to exquisite Western delicacies. Acclaimed Australian Chef Mark Best will extend his influence on to Explorer Dream with his Seafood Grill by Mark Best serving up the ocean’s bounty in a spectacular al fresco setting. Signature Dream dining favourites will also take pride of place on the new ship including Umi Uma for Japanese delights, Silk Road for traditional Chinese fare, Blue Lagoon for Southeast Asian comfort food and Palm Court for informal refreshments and breath-taking views. For adventurous foodies, the all new Mozzarella Ristorante e Pizzeria will tantalise with a modern fusion of classic Italian dishes and pizzas with a Japanese twist.

Guests of Explorer Dream can also enjoy thematic programs on their journeys at sea including “The Connoisseurs Circle” bespoke enrichment program, featuring inspirational talks and events that are especially curated for guests of The Palace, such as a fashion talk by Grace Chen, the godmother of Explorer Dream.

Explorer Dream will initially homeport in Shanghai and Tianjin, where she will embark on a series of itineraries to popular destinations throughout Japan, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

From October 2019, Explorer Dream will homeport in Sydney and Auckland, offering guests a variety of seven-night weekly itineraries visiting the region’s coastal highlights.

For further information please contact Dream Cruises on +61 2 9212 6288 or visit dreamcruiseline.com

MSC Magnifica maiden call

Following her maiden call in Auckland, New Zealand on her 118-night World Cruise from Genoa, Italy, MSC Magnifica reached Sydney on 18 March receiving a warm welcome. This visit from MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world's largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, The Gulf, South America and South Africa, marks the second time MSC Cruises has brought one of its cruise ships to Australia, with MSC Orchestra having visited in 2015

In honour of the maiden call to this stunning harbour, MSC Cruises organised events throughout the day to welcome guests. MSC Cruises invited key media and travel agents to allow them to familiarise themselves with the unique MSC Cruises experience.

Alessandro Guerreri, Managing Director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand, said: "We are honoured to welcome MSC Magnifica to Australia. At MSC Cruises we are committed to continuously enrich itineraries for our guests, allowing them to discover new destinations and cultures in a unique way."

After an overnight in Sydney, MSC Magnifica made her maiden call in Melbourne on 21 March and will reach Fremantle on 25 March.

Guests onboard were treated to a signature menu from multi-award-winning chef, Serge Dansereau of Sydney's highly-acclaimed restaurant: The Bathers' Pavilion, on 20 March. Guests had the choice of starter; Yellowfin tuna tartare with ponzu sauce, avocado, rice paper and sesame or Fregola with peas, capsicum, coriander pesto, lemon and parmesan. For main; Lamb ,loin with slow-cooked lamb shoulder cumin carrots and tomato, smoked couscous, date puree and lemon or Potato gratin with miso butter, sautéed mushrooms, shallot puree, pine nut crumble and for dessert guests were treated to Chocolate gateau with chai chocolate mousse, lemon curd, hazelnut crumble and chocolate ice cream.