We’ve got an extra-long cruise wrap for you this week! Which, ironically, means you can make your Wednesday feel shorter by procrasti-reading it alllll day long.

MSC Cruises expands its environmental stewardship programme by launching global commitment to eliminate single-use plastics

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company and leading cruise brand in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, today announced another new chapter in its environmental stewardship programme, by introducing a commitment to eliminate single-use plastics from its entire fleet globally and introduce sustainable alternatives if available.

Under its Plastics Reduction Programme, by the end of March 2019 MSC Cruises will now effectively phase out an extensive number of plastic items from all its ship operations and ashore, and will replace them with environmentally-friendly solutions. As a first step, the company has already taken action to replace by the end of the current year all plastic straws with 100 per cent compostable and biodegradable substitutes.

Throughout the years, MSC Cruises has taken voluntary steps to uphold this commitment under its global environmental stewardship programme. Through a series of previous actions, all MSC Cruises ships have been systematically readied for this programme and are equipped with state-of-the-art recycling facilities and efficient waste management systems. All crew are engaged in the company-wide effort to separate and handle waste in accordance with regulatory MARPOL requirements and CLIA’s sound environmental principles to prevent marine pollution.

Their efforts are closely monitored by a comprehensive and coherent system to manage and control all environmental aspects on board and ashore. An empowered team of dedicated Environmental Officers across the fleet makes sure the company’s policies and vision is effectively implemented. Through a robust training programme, the Company continually strives to raise the bar in this field and achieve improved waste management and recycling practices.

A unique cruising experience for sailing enthusiasts

Join PONANT’s latest small luxury expedition cruise ship Le Laperouse, for a seven-night voyage Sydney to Hobart, with pole-position viewing as the 2019 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race competitors clear Sydney Heads.

Board the ship for an early start on Boxing Day 2019, then leave the Harbour to be perfectly positioned off Sydney Heads, in the thick of the action when the maxi yachts round the mark and battle it out for the honour of clearing the Heads first.

Then enjoy cruising down the NSW coast, breaking the voyage to visit Trousers Point on Flinders Islands and iconic Wineglass Bay on Tasmania’s east coast, before joining the racing yacht fleet at Constitution Dock right in the heart of Hobart in time for presentations, New Year’s Eve fireworks and partying.

The voyage departs Sydney 26 December 2019 / seven nights and includes three nights at dock in Hobart – your perfect ‘floating hotel’ location for yachting and partying enthusiasts.

Uniworld takes its all-inclusive experience to a whole new level

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s most luxurious and all-inclusive river cruise line, has re-launched its Fly Free to Europe offer for the year, back by popular demand for three weeks only.

Guests will enjoy complimentary economy airfares when they book a 2019 European voyage or for those after a little more luxury, guests can also upgrade to business class and fly from $3,999pp. These offers are available for new bookings from 15 October until 7 November 2018.

Cruisers can expect impeccable personalised service, intimate and beautifully designed ships with original artwork from the old masters, farm to five-star dining onboard, unlimited premium wines, spirits, onboard entertainment; and over 80 exclusive excursions to choose from such as cycling, golf and gourmet foodie walks.

Scenic releases new 2018/2019 Australia Brochure

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has today announced a variety of great savings to encourage Australians to discover their own beautiful backyard in 2019. Released in conjunction with Scenic’s new 2019 Australia brochure – the Endless Wonders of Australia 2019 – the offers include a range of savings and flight offers.

The Endless Wonders of Australia 2019 brochure features 12 itineraries ranging in length from seven to 23 days, across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Norfolk Island.

Book by 28 February 2019 and receive:

• Book the 23-day Treasures of the West Coast (includes taxes up to $190 per person) and receive free flights – a saving of up to $1,450* per couple
• Partner fly free when booking the 12-day Top End and Kimberley Spectacular, 13-day South Western Mosaic or 20-day Territory Explorer and The Kimberley – a saving of up to $940 per couple
• Earlybird savings of up to $600 per couple for bookings on the 19-day Top End and Kimberley Snapshot Cruise, nine-day Territory Explorer, 13-day Ultimate Tasmania, 11-day Taste of South Australia or eight-day Historic Norfolk Island

P&O Cruises reveals an exclusive Beach Club for Pacific Adventure

P&O Cruises Australia will be offering a limited number of guests exclusive access to a private ‘beach club’ onboard its newest ship, Pacific Adventure. Called the “Byron Beach Club”, the retreat will be available to guests booked into Pacific Adventure’s suites and mini-suites.

The exclusive-access retreat offers a private outdoor pool, whirlpool spas and comfy seating situated on the top deck (16) of the ship. With expansive sea views, club-goers can enjoy pure relaxation and pampering in stylish surroundings.

In addition to the pool and spa area, Byron Beach Club guests can enjoy their own private dining concierge service including priority reservation at all of the ship’s dining outlets including the exciting new concepts from Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan and award-winning Melbourne chef Johnny Di Francesco.

The 108,865-tonne ship, currently sailing as Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess, is scheduled to enter the P&O fleet in October 2020. The first program featuring Pacific Adventure will go on sale on November 1, 2018 and include sailings through to the end of 2020.

Oceania Cruises unveils 2020 Europe and Americas itineraries

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line unveiled the new Europe & The Americas Collection of itineraries for 2020. These new voyages open for bookings on October 18, 2018.

Sailing to more than 400 ports across Europe and the Americas, the brand’s six intimate and elegant ships, carrying only 684 or 1,250 guests, showcase the splendour of the Mediterranean, the diversity of Europe’s western wine country, the storied history of the Baltics, British Isles and Norway, and the majesty of Alaska, Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Maritimes.

As the pioneer of destination-focussed cruising, voyages spend more time in port often arriving at sunset and departing in the evenings, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the culture, history, and culinary highlights of the destinations visited. To allow even more time for travellers to explore, more than 50 of the voyages feature overnight stays.

Countdown begins to MSC Armonia‘s first cruise from Miami to Cuba

In just under two months MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and leading cruise line in Europe and South America, introduces MSC Armonia to Miami for the first time. From December 10th this year, MSC Armonia will offer unique seven-night Caribbean sailings departing from Miami and calling at Montego Bay, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico before arriving in Havana, the Cuban capital, on Saturday and staying overnight until Sunday.

MSC Cruises’ seven-night programme to Cuba will include two days in the bustling city of Havana over the weekend. And, as excitement builds for this company-first, MSC Cruises will also introduce even more distinct culinary and entertainment features on board the ship to further elevate the guest experience, including elements of the Havana experience brought on board, a brand new specialty restaurant, original theatre performances and more.

MSC Armonia will join MSC Seaside and MSC Divina in Miami, further enriching our offer. MSC Cruises’ guests can expect not only a brand new attractive itinerary, but also a variety of enhancements to make the MSC Armonia experience that much more memorable. On board, guests will delight in fresh entertainment and new gourmet culinary choices, while ashore; an overnight stay in Havana will allow guests the full experience of this culturally vibrant city.

Royal Caribbean Cruises enters new Windfarm agreement

Royal Caribbean Cruises today announced it has signed an agreement with Southern Power, a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, for Southern Power’s 200-megawatt (MW) Reading Wind Facility. This initiative, which will offset up to 12 per cent of Royal Caribbean’s emissions beginning in 2020, is the latest addition to the company’s extensive sustainability efforts, which include programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovations at sea and in port.

This project, Southern Power’s eleventh wind facility, is located in Osage and Lyon Counties, Kansas, and is Southern Power’s first to be validated as a carbon offset project under the Verified Carbon Standard. The agreement with Royal Caribbean provides Southern Power with the economic basis to construct the project. Royal Caribbean was advised on the execution of this agreement by Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability Services.

The facility is expected to generate roughly 760,000-megawatt hours per year over the duration of the 12-year agreement, which translates to enough clean energy to offset 10-12 per cent of Royal Caribbean’s annual carbon emissions starting in 2020. With this innovative program, Royal Caribbean is able to apply a new approach while continuing its primary initiatives to advance sustainability efforts across the company’s fleet.

Viking using new survey results to strengthen trade relationships

Viking has received over 1,100 responses to its September 2018 trade survey, and will now begin analysing the results to discover how they can further strengthen their trade partnerships in 2019.

The survey, which ran from September 13 to September 24, was designed to gather feedback from Viking’s trade and industry partners about events, products, marketing materials, offers and the way in which Viking communicates. Given how much change and growth the travel industry experiences, Viking is dedicated to using this feedback to help develop new strategies and plan for the future with their partners’ needs in mind.

Survey participants were also given the chance to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. The lucky winners are: Melissa Stafford, Tailor Made Travel; Jared Voss, Travel Associates Mt Eliza; Kerryn O’Neal, Dreamlines; Karen Jarvie, Helloworld Charlestown; Racheal Pearce, YOU Travel Eltham (NZ).

Seabourn announces upcoming distinguished luminaries for Seabourn Conversations Program

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is continuing its mission to inspire and inform guests with a new line-up of remarkable speakers for its Seabourn Conversations program during the 2018-2019 cruise season.

The popular onboard enrichment program will host distinguished speakers with fascinating stories to share and expertise to enlighten across a wide array of disciplines including space exploration, mountaineering, television production, culinary, history, politics, and the arts.

The impressive line-up of Seabourn Conversationalists includes first-time and returning speakers sure to keep guests engaged and entertained as they explore natural and cultural wonders around the globe, including aboard the line’s newest vessel, Seabourn Ovation, which launched this past May.

For the full schedule of speakers participating in Seabourn Conversations for 2018 – 2019, visit www.seabourn.com.