Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Are you searching for the meaning of life but having trouble getting answers? As are we. In the mean time, check out this wrap and let us know when you find it.
Royal Caribbean rolls out unprecedented wave of Digital Innovations
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is rolling out an unprecedented wave of digital innovations touching every aspect of its business, erasing travel frustrations with technology that is transforming cruise ships from bow to stern.
Most visible to consumers through a guest-empowering app that will blanket the company’s 48-ship fleet over the next two years, the surge of innovation will also banish check-in lines at ports, equip crew members to anticipate guests’ needs, and enable giant cruise ships to sail through the water on a fuel-saving curtain of air.
The technological transformation also encompasses areas beyond the guest experience, including innovations to make ships more energy-efficient, enhance ship management and put more connectivity into the hands of crew members than ever before.
CruiseAlong announces sales opening for 2019 Sub Antarctic Islands
Imagine wandering black volcanic sand beaches on Macquarie Island, mingling with 800,000 Royal Penguins totally unconcerned by your presence. As interested in you as you are in them. Or visiting Snares Island, boasting more birdlife than that found in the entire British Isles. This is a bird watcher’s (and photographer’s) nirvana!
Far flung these islands may be, yet far from barren. Often referred to as ‘The Galapagos of the Southern Ocean’ these UNESCO World Heritage Sub Antarctic Islands throb with life. Protected by their remoteness they are breeding grounds for vast colonies of penguins, home to pods of orcas, fur seals and sea lions.
This expedition has been designed for those to whom the essence of travel means being rewarded with rare experiences. By Zodiac, land on remote, hard to reach areas, and to observe wildlife. Enjoy each day’s adventures with family, friends and other like-minded curious travellers – with the stimulation of mixing with informed, passionate speakers and knowledgeable Expedition Team members.…. all the while travelling in luxury.
Enjoy French luxury and ambiance onboard one of the world’s youngest and eco-responsible fleet of ships afloat, and experience the difference modern small ship luxury expedition cruising offers.
A rare sighting in Sydney Harbour
Three P&O cruise ships – Pacific Explorer, Pacific Eden and Pacific Jewel – arrived in Sydney Harbour on Friday morning at the same time – a rare meeting for the three cruise ships which were carrying a combined total of 6000 guests onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line Fly Free Promotion
Today Carnival Cruise Line announced an exciting promotion on select 2018 cruises that sail to stunning Tasmania, offering guests the opportunity to learn about Australian history, stroll through beautiful vineyards and/or hike around rugged parks and reserves.
Guests have the option to cruise Sydney to Melbourne, or the reverse route, Melbourne to Sydney, both via Tasmania. The promotion also includes a $150 discount on a flight to the departure port or home upon completion of the cruise. The offer is available today until 4 December 2017.
Aussies that book will get to experience all the fun that Carnival Legend has to offer, with 45+ daily activities from the thrilling Green Thunder waterslide, dressing up for theme nights, live Broadway-style entertainment and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with Seuss at Sea.
Bula from Blue Lagoon Cruises
Blue Lagoon Cruises are providing your clients with more ‘Fiji time’ to explore the stunning Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands with our ‘Cruise Longer for Less’ offer.
Book our seven night “Escape to Paradise” cruise and you will only pay the four night “Wanderer” cruise fare, saving a whopping FJD$2410* per person!
The offer is valid for bookings until 15 December 2017 for travel from 5 January to 31 May 2018.
For full terms and conditions on all offers, sales and booking periods or information visit www.bluelagooncruises.com.
New cruise dates for Fiji’s remote North Discovery Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has released the 2018 and 2019 departure dates for its two seven night’s Northern Fiji Discovery cruises – The Four Cultures Discovery Cruise and Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise.
The Four Cultures Discovery Cruise, is the first ever Fiji cruise to circumnavigate Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island and gives passengers the ultimate chance to discover and experience four distinctive Fijian cultures, Ellice Islanders (Polynesians), Banabans (Micronesia), Fijian and Indians.
Be taken on a cultural journey through an amazing show of song and dance by the Polynesian’s (Ellice Islanders) of Kioa Island and discover the home and history of the Banabans people on Rabi Island through a show of dance by villagers in traditional tribal costumes.
A colourful morning will be spent at Labasa Town, home to a vast number of Fijian Indians and a town not regularly visited by many tourists. Visit a Hindu snake temple and see the growing rock, before shopping in the many stores along the main street and explore the large market which sells a range of foods, spices, fish, poultry, goats and other local products. Then be entertained by a Bollywood style dance troop (Indian).
How river cruise newcomer, Riviera Travel, does things differently
European river cruise line, Riviera Travel – a newcomer in the Australian market – likes to do things differently and has released a list of the ways its award-winning product differs from that of better-known river operators.
The industry leader in the UK, Riviera Travel disrupted the local market with its launch here in Australia in mid-2016 and has seen Australian sales figures double in recent months compared to last year.
Riviera Travel has highlighted the key ways it differs from other river cruise lines, among many other reasons:
- Offers inclusive, five-star cruises at fares up to 50 per cent lower than competitors
- Solo-use cabins with no supplement on every cruise
- Doesn’t include automatic gratuities in fares, allowing guests to tip as they like
European Waterways announces ‘Back-to-Back’ Cruises for longer wine tours in Burgundy and Champagne, France
Between mid-June to early July 2018, European Waterways is offering wine lovers a unique, limited opportunity to visit two world renowned wine-making regions in France – the eponymous Champagne and Burgundy – with a new ‘Back-to-Back’ two-week cruise option.
Through this option, guests can book the Panache hotel barge in Champagne and L’Impressionniste in neighbouring Burgundy for two consecutive weeks of exploration, education and wine tastings. As an added incentive, European Waterways will also provide a free night’s stay at the Hotel Westminster in Paris; a French institution situated along the opulent Rue De Paix.
This back-to-back cruise opportunity is only available for these limited weeks, when the 12-passenger Panache cruises the River Marne through Champagne’s peaceful vineyards.
Norwegian Jewel celebrates inaugural homeport season in Australia and New Zealand
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) celebrates the start of an incredible new chapter with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line’s iconic Jewel-class ship – Norwegian Jewel – into Sydney Harbour for her inaugural Australia and New Zealand season.
As the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to homeport locally for a full cruising season, Norwegian Jewel’s arrival reflects Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings long-term focus on the region, following similar announcements from sister brands – Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – that they are more committed than ever before to Australia and New Zealand.
NCLH recently announced that Norwegian Jewel will return to Australian waters in 2018/19 – fresh from a multi-million-dollar bow-to-stern refurbishment – for a series of homeported sailings, further demonstrating the cruise company’s long-term plans for the local region.
Norwegian Jewel’s arrival is set to be a game changer for the Australian cruising industry with her unique cruising concept, world-class dining options, award-winning entertainment, immersive destination experiences, diverse onboard activities and the widest range of accommodation options to suit every need, taste and budget.
Viking launches two new 2018 Mediterranean itineraries
Viking Cruises today launched two new Mediterranean itineraries for 2018. The 15-day Mediterranean & Italian Sojourn and the 24-day Mediterranean Explorer & Crossing are both combinations of two existing, shorter itineraries. They are each offered on one sailing only, making them coveted “collectors’ cruises”.
Departing from Barcelona to Venice on 29 July 2018, the 15-day Mediterranean & Italian Sojourn is a combination of Iconic Western Mediterranean and Italian Sojourn. Guests will enjoy overnight stays in Barcelona and Venice.
In between, they will marvel at the historic Old Port of Marseille, and visit glamorous St. Tropez and Monte Carlo. In Italy, guests will explore Renaissance Tuscany, ancient Rome and elegant Naples before sailing around the boot via Sicilian Messina, the pristine ports of Crotone and Bari, and the remarkable Old Town of Šibenik, one of Croatia’s oldest cities.
Latest News

WATCH: The Travel Weekly Wrap | 14 February 2025
Feel like your story should have got a run in our new video wrap? We'll be the judge of that, thanks.

Entire Travel Soirée puts the spotlight on niche travel
Niche travel is one of the hot topics at the moment, so we couldn't pass up the chance to learn more with Entire.

Happy Valentines! Jetstar launches 8 hour flash sale
Chocolate is nice, but a trip away is a lot better! You'll be in your partner's good books for months.

Chick-In, now open! KFC launches its own airline
We wonder if they are going to have a detailed plan, or, if they are just going to...WING IT!!

Travelport introduces Finnair NDC content and servicing solutions
The national carrier of the happiest country on earth knows a thing or two about NDC, just ask the team at Travelport.

Turkish Airlines confirms daily flights between Sydney-Istanbul
Ok Melbourne, you may have got in first, but Sydney is set to be the lead gateway between the two cities. Score: 1-1.

CATO opens nominations for International Women’s Day lunch ticket giveaway
With one of the Queens of last year's Olympic Games already announced, we know it's going to be one hell of a day!

Boutique luxury hotel opens in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane
Looking at the rooftop pool, this hotel looks like its situated deep in a Thai forest rather than the concrete jungle.

Croatia Airlines unveils new and restored routes to Milan, Prague, Madrid, Bucharest and Hamburg
When routes were scrapped early in the pandemic, no one would have thought it would be five years until they returned!

Salamander Voyages launches slow sailing itinerary in Türkiye
Okay everyone, time to sing - 'We are sailing, we are sailing, we are sailing...slowly...'

EXCLUSIVE: Emirates’ Captain Emily Sidoti on why gender disparity in aviation comes down to education
Emily is challenging stereotypes and inspiring a younger generation of women to earn their stripes.

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye
Should we wind up on a famil in Türkiye, we're making sure to get on one of the famed hot air balloons tours!

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
They say you feel the effect of alcohol faster in the sky... Only one way to find out.

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
As Pip said, when people come to Australia they do so for the experiences not their hotel's sheet thread count.

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.