€400,000 Program includes redesigned sundecks and saloons, new bathrooms and new Mercedes-Benz Vans

Hotel barge cruising specialist European Waterways announced the completion of a €400,000 upgrade and refurbishing program across the company’s fleet as it prepares to launch its 2018 season.

The upgrades addressed every aspect of the company’s hotel barges, from the operation of the vessels themselves, to the dining, entertainment and sleeping areas, as well as the off-shore transportation of its guests, who are treated to daily guided excursions.

According to Managing Director Derek Banks, the company’s upgrades always begin at their most basic, with a thorough inspection and repair, where necessary, of all its vessels to ensure they operate smoothly and quietly. The maintenance is part of a rolling annual program to provide its guests with the most comfortable experience as they cruise the canals and waterways of some of the world’s most picturesque countryside.

Cunard Announces Oceans of Discovery Winter 2020 Voyages

Luxury cruise brand, Cunard, has unveiled its November 2019 to June 2020 programme, which includes Cunard’s first ever Christmas celebrations in Australia, sailing through the heart of the Amazon River, a new World Voyage, and more ‘overnights’ in port. Travelling almost 150,000 nautical miles, the most famous ocean liners in the world will call at 123 destinations in 48 different countries, including 10 maiden calls for our current fleet.

Always committed to listening to their guests from around the world, Cunard has announced an increase in variety and options of sailing choices, as well as the amount of time and number of ‘overnights’ guests can spend in some of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Queen Elizabeth shall operate a series of compelling exotic voyages that offer richer, deeper and more regionally-focused itineraries. Queen Mary 2 will undertake Cunard’s only World Voyage in 2020, on a classic East-West Voyage to Australia and Asia, and Queen Victoria will circumnavigate South America, along with a Panama Canal transit.

Jean-Michel Cousteau additional hosted cruises on Aria Amazon

Aqua Expeditions, the leading luxury river cruise operator, is continuing its successful collaboration with renowned champion of ocean conservation and environmental protection, Jean-Michel Cousteau, offering additional cruises in October 2018 hosted by the famed explorer on Aria Amazon.

Following sold-out cruises on Aria Amazon with the legendary conservationist in 2017 and in February 2018, travellers will have another opportunity to join these hosted departures on 5 – 8 October, 8 -12 October and 5 – 12 October.

As the single largest tropical rainforest in the world, the enchanting Amazon has long enticed explorers seeking out the most magical of birds, fish, trees and plants.

During these exclusive departures, guests will experience the rich Amazon from the perspective of a conservationist and get to know Jean-Michel in the intimacy of a small group of fellow travellers.

Australia’s newest superyacht to debut at Australian Superyacht Rendezvous

Australia’s newest, largest capacity and most exciting charter superyacht, Oneworld, is enroute from Dubai and set to launch at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous being staged at Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard from 20-21 April 2018.

Primarily targeted at the corporate and private events market, the $10 million Gulf Craft designed and manufactured 31.5 metre Oneworld – which is both stunning and imposing in presence – has been custom-designed for the Australian charter market with an enormous 120-person capacity for events and weddings.

Oneworld owner, former hotelier and race car driver, Rod Salmon, said the vessel supersedes the capacity of any superyacht currently available for charter in Australia and will proudly offer a six-star luxury Mediterranean style service.

Aurora Expeditions attends steel cutting ceremony for new expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer

On Friday 16 March in Jiangsu Province, China, Aurora Expeditions attended an exciting steel cutting ceremony for their new state of the art world class expedition ship, Greg Mortimer.

The service, which was hosted by China Merchants Group, saw the highly anticipated first cut take place with key stakeholder’s present for the initial push of the button, which commenced the steel carving.

Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director of Aurora Expeditions, who was present at the event said, “I was very impressed to see how much of the build progress that has already occurred from cabins already assembled and engines arriving, and seeing firsthand the workmanship and materials already at the shipyard was a testament to the commitment of all involved.”

CLIA launches new Cruising Northern Europe course for its members

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia this week launched its newest cruise destination course, Cruising Northern Europe. The online elective covers 48 ports across 13 countries and includes 21 videos and 30 downloadable resources including port reference sheets.

CLIA’s Head of International Training & Development, Peter Kollar said the course aligns with other destination courses available to CLIA members.

Available to CLIA travel agent members only, this elective is accessible in CLIA’s dedicated Learning Academy. CLIA members will earn 20 points upon completion.

Cunard and Ancestry.com Collaborate to offer special event crossing: “A Journey of Genealogy”

For the first time ever Cunard has collaborated with Ancestry.com, the largest online family history resource in the world, to offer guests the opportunity to trace their family history on flagship liner Queen Mary 2 while sailing across the Atlantic.

Cunard played a critical role in the immigration movement to the US in the late 1800s – one in five immigrants who came through Ellis Island arrived on a Cunard liner. This Crossing offers an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one’s ancestors and experience sailing across the Atlantic like so many immigrants did.

The seven-night Transatlantic Crossing, November 4-11, 2018, will feature four genealogists from Ancestry to assist guests in learning who they are and where they come from. These experts will show guests where their family originated, how to sift through census and military records, and determine their ethnic mix through AncestryDNA.

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel makes a splash out of dry dock

Pacific Jewel has emerged from her 10-day dry dock in Sydney sporting a fresh and modern look and feel in the ships popular public spaces and venues.

With the help of 110 contractors working over 120,000 hours, the 70,310-tonne vessel was fitted with 200 pieces of new furniture, 500 pieces of artwork and accessories, 6000 square meters of carpet and 2000 square meters of paint and wall-covering.

Norwegian Cruise Line invites guests to cruise into March with Free at Sea promostion and $1 deposits

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is offering guests another reason to explore new destinations around the world and book their next cruise holiday with US$1 deposits. From 3pm 15 March to 19 March 2018, guests can take advantage of US$1 deposits when they book a new cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line in a studio, inside, oceanview, balcony or mini-suite category stateroom.

This limited time offer is available fleet wide, providing guests the freedom and flexibility to design their perfect cruise getaway. This offer may also be combined with the popular Free at Sea promotion available throughout the month of March.

Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion will be extended through March. This signature value-added offer provides guests who book a new three-day or longer sailing in an oceanview, balcony or mini-suite category stateroom with the opportunity to select their preference of two free choices from five spectacular onboard amenities, including free beverage package, US$50 towards shore excursions in each port per stateroom, a free specialty dining package, 250 minutes of free WiFi, or Norwegian’s Friends & Family Sail at a reduced rate offer. Inside staterooms, as well as Norwegian’s studio staterooms for solo travellers, can choose from one free offer.

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam to feature more staterooms, redesigned pinnacle suite and artfully inspired accomodations

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam is set to debut in December 2018; and when the ship sets sail from the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy it will feature distinct stateroom enhancements. The newest 2,666-guest Pinnacle-Class ship will have eight more staterooms than sister-ship Koningsdam, and all categories have been reimagined from top to bottom to showcase more thoughtful touches and innovative additions.

Among the most noticeable enhancements is the redesigned Pinnacle Suite — the largest on the ship — as well as reconfigured Family Staterooms. However, Nieuw Statendam still displays all stateroom hallmarks introduced on Koningsdam, including single-cruiser accommodations, as well as a wider range of suite configurations.

Nieuw Statendam adds five more ocean-view and three more interior staterooms, bringing the total stateroom count to 1,339. The ship features 103 ocean-view and 280 interior staterooms, ranging from 225 to 266 square feet. The ship will have 851 verandah or verandah spa accommodations, bringing the total staterooms that have a verandah, including suites, to 912.

Experience ‘Wild India’ on new safari and river cruise package

Stay amongst the treetops like the ‘Jungle Book’ character, Mowgli, on the lookout for India’s rarest animals and cruise along the remote and sacred river of Brahmaputra as part of a new river cruise package to the sub-continent in 2019.

Released by Australia’s Cruise Traveller in partnership with Indian river cruise company, Adventure Resorts and Cruises (ARC), the 19-night ‘Wild India’ package in April 2019,  links a 12-night land exploration of some of India’s best wildlife sanctuaries with a seven-night cruise on the remote Brahmaputra River in Assam, a culturally intact region in far-north-east India that sees few tourists but boasts so much wildlife it is known as the ‘Serengeti of India’.

Travellers then board ARC’s boutique, 46-guest river ship, MV Mahabaahu, for a seven-night journey on one of India’s great rivers, the Brahmaputra, from Neamati Ghat to Guwahati in the mystical, culturally intact state of Assam, a rich, green land of valleys located in the foothills of the Himalayas.

SeaLink Travel Group – Investment in UWAI Limited

SeaLink Travel Group is pleased to announce two transactions with UWAI Limited, a tourism technology company incorporated in Hong Kong.

1. Strategic investment of US$2.5 million (A$3.2 million) investment in UWAI Limited, and separately
2. Entry into a Master Services Agreement for UWAI Products and Services.

UWAI (pronounced “you why” translates as “travel overseas” in Mandarin) has built a world first Tourism Application which makes it easier for foreign language visitors to engage with local businesses over a wide range of services including travel, food & beverage, tours, accommodation, shopping and sightseeing.

International tourism contributed A$41.2 billion to the Australian economy year end 2017, of which 57 per cent (A$23.4 billion) was spent with local businesses. As a tourism service utility, UWAI provides access and transparency to this sizable and often elusive market, fostering greater engagement with local businesses, and greater choice and freedom for tourists to independently explore more of what Australia has on offer.

Scenic announces new Hosted Cruise in 2018

Scenic has announced author and historian Peter FitzSimons will return to the Seine on 27 June 2018. Following the success of his inaugural cruise in 2017, Peter will host a river cruise on board Scenic Gem, sharing his extensive knowledge of the war history of northern France during his time on board.

The Seine river cruise includes visits to some of the country’s most renowned war history sites – the Somme Battlefields, Villers-Bretonneux and the Normandy beaches, site of the D-Day landings.

During the cruise, guests will participate in two included excursions to the Somme Battlefields, alongside an array of Scenic Freechoice activities in ports such as Les Andelys, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans.

Guests will also enjoy two of Scenic’s signature offerings, a Scenic Sundowners cocktail event at Manoir d’Appreval and a once-in-a-lifetime Scenic Enrich experience at the impressive Château de La Roche-Guyon.

Royal Caribbean announces multi-billion dollar investment in Private Island Collection, Fleet Modernisation and New Ships

Royal Caribbean International has announced a multi-billion dollar investment in providing loyal guests and next-generation cruisers advanced, customisable holidays, by introducing a new global private island collection, modernising the fleet to the tune of $900 million and introducing new cutting-edge ships.

New Global Private Island Collection Debuts at CocoCay, Bahamas in 2019
In one of the company’s most ambitious projects yet, Royal Caribbean is changing what it means to thrill and chill on holiday with the unveiling of its new Perfect Day Island Collection, a series of exclusive private island destinations around the world.

The first in the collection, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is a USD$200 million transformation of the cruise line’s existing private island in The Bahamas, delivering the ultimate family destination in the Caribbean.

The island transformation will roll out in phases beginning September 2018 with the completion of a new pier, and by early 2019 the majority of the island’s experiences will be open. Coco Beach Club, the final phase, is set to open November 2019. Additional Perfect Day Island Collection destinations around the globe will be announced at a later date.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises cuts steel at Ancona for Seven Seas Splendor

Construction of the ship that will elevate the standard for all-inclusive luxury has begun. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Montague, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Executive Vice President of Vessel Operations Robin Lindsay, Regent’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Franco Semeraro and Fincantieri’s Shipyard Director Giovanni Stecconi today pressed the button to ignite the cutting torch at Fincantieri Ancona to shape the first plate of steel for Seven Seas Splendor.

The new 750-guest ship will join the Regent fleet in early 2020, in pursuit of the ultimate achievement – perfection.

The inaugural season for the all-suite, all-balcony ship will go on sale in April. Seven Seas Splendor will join Regent’s most luxurious fleet in the world comprising Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Navigator.

Oceania Cruises unveils free high-speed internet fleedwide

Oceania Cruises will introduce its new Wavenet high-speed internet fleetwide. With Wavenet, travellers will be able to upload and download large files in a snap, enjoy their favourite shows on Netflix, stream their favourite playlist on Spotify and instantly share their Oceania Cruises’ memories on Facebook, and Instagram. They can even livestream, Facetime, and Skype with friends and family back home.

Free and unlimited Wavenet service will be included for all stateroom and suite categories on all sailings. A streaming upgrade, Wavenet Prime, is available for US$9.99 per day for guests who wish to stream movies, music, or videos.

Wavenet and Wavenet Prime will be available on all vessels by the end of April.

Galapagos Summer 2018 – family savings

Discover the wonders of the Galápagos combined with the comfort, convenience and value of an all-inclusive Silversea experience where every facet of your journey is included and every detail handled by our staff.

Along with a seven-day voyage aboard the award-winning Silver Galapagos, fares also include flights to and from the mainland to the Islands, transfers, pre and post-cruise hotel stays. Enjoy the Galapagos Islands this summer with your family and friends, while the guests under the age of 18 receive a AU$650 in savings for a limited time.