If, like us, you’re avoiding a stockpile of emails accrued over the long weekend like the plague, this week’s Cruise Wrap is the perfect five-minute distraction.

MSC to launch sustainability tour program, taking guests to Greece, Jamaica, the UAE and Iceland

MSC Cruises has unveiled a series of eco-tours under its new ‘PROTECTOURS’ program, featuring shore excursions to Jamaica, Greece and the United Arab Emirates.

Guests will now have the opportunity to hike through Jamaican forests with rescue dogs, learn about honey production in Corfu, Greece, take a desert conservation tour in Abu Dhabi, UAE, or journey to Iceland’s Guðmundarlundur forest on horseback for a tree planting experience.

While currently only offering three experiences, MSC says the tours offered in its PROTECTOURS program will increase over time.

MSC has also set specific objectives for local tour operator partners to become internationally certified under the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s certification program. This adds to the cruise line’s status as a carbon-neutral company.

Cruise visit signals a path to recovery on NSW South Coast: CLIA

The Australian cruise industry has helped mark a milestone for recovering communities on the NSW South Coast as the 2,000-passenger Norwegian Jewel today became the first ship to visit the port of Eden since the recent bushfires.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director Australasia Joel Katz said the ship’s visit was an important step forward for the Australian tourism industry as it worked to support regional economies in many parts of the country.

“With the return of cruise tourism to Eden, 100 per cent of Australia’s cruise ports are now open for business and welcoming visitors,” Katz said.

“More than 60 cruise ships will call on Australian ports over the current summer season and the fact they’re all continuing to operate as scheduled will help lift confidence in many parts of the tourism industry.”

Savings and special offers on six great Hurtigruten polar destinations

Hurtigruten has unveiled six offers on as many destination cruises, with travellers able to cash in on savings of up to $9,000.

Travel advisers and their clients can take advantage of sales on the following six destinations: Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, and Norway expeditions.

The exclusive ‘World Global Sale’ runs until 15 March 2020.

Silversea opens sales on new grand voyage Mediterranean 2021

Silversea Cruises has opened general sales on a new 59-day grand voyage in the Mediterranean, visiting 45 destinations in 17 countries.

Between 8 September and 5 November 2021, Silversea’s guests will travel in the cruise line’s trademark level of comfort aboard the recently refurbished Silver Shadow.

Crystal’s Australian office launches AUD fares

Crystal Cruise’s Australian office is now offering cruise fares in Australian dollars across ocean, river, yacht and expedition cruises.

The Australian dollar fares are displayed on Australia’s recently launched regional version of crystalcruises.com, which went live in late 2019.

Opening in 2017, Crystal’s full-service Australian office was the first corporate office to open outside of the United States and the multi-currency offering is another example of the company’s ever-expanding global business.

Scenic Eclipse releases Artic, Fjords, Mediterranean and Europe brochures 2020/2021

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has released its 2020/21 Scenic Eclipse Artic & Fjords, and Europe & Mediterranean brochures, detailing cruise voyages and land excursions visiting each region.

To mark their release, Scenic is offering a range of special early bird offers. To secure your choice of Scenic Eclipse cruise and suite preference, book now to receive these special offers:

• A 10 per cent saving on cruise and suite upgrades when combined with a land tour
• Early payment discounts also apply if you book and pay in full by 31 March 2020 to secure these additional discounts
• Discounts of up to $700 per person on cruises of 10 days or longer
• Discounts of up to $450 per person on cruises fewer than 10 days.

Save up to $3,000 per couple on new American BBQ themed river cruises

For a limited time, the American Queen Steamboat Company is offering Australians savings of up to US$2000 (almost $3,000) per couple on an eight-night ‘American BBQ Challenge Cruise’. The deal is valid for bookings made before March 31, 2020.

Travellers will step aboard the American Duchess for a culinary experience with a difference, with two departure dates available: 27 September and 18 October 2020. The eight-night journey begins with a pre-night stay at the historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, before winding north to Alton, Illinois.

The highlight of the cruise is a BBQ Challenge with American Queen Steamboat Company culinary teams taking on local BBQ professionals for the ultimate BBQ master title, with cruise guests as the judges. When you’re not indulging your tastebuds with barbecue ribs, brisket and pulled pork, there are a range of complimentary shore excursions you can join to get to know the cities on your itinerary.

P&O Cruises celebrates Australia Day on Sydney Harbour

P&O Australia Day 2020 (James D Morgan)

For the eighth year running, P&O Cruises celebrated Australia Day on Sydney Harbour with nearly 2,000 guests onboard Pacific Explorer “enjoying” a giant deck party jam-packed with “Australiana-filled activities”.

These included the cruise line’s annual ‘Look Like an Aussie Legend’ competition, thong throwing contests, meat pie eating championships and an Australian national anthem sing off.

Save now on Russian summer river cruise

Travellers can save up to $1,200 on Cruise Russia’s selection of Russian cruise tours and cruise-only itineraries.

Savings can be enjoyed on the ‘Russian Rhapsody’ cruise, which explores Moscow and St Petersburg, and a myriad of historic towns in-between, including the Golden Ring city of Uglich and Kizhi Island- famous for the Transfiguration Church.

Book and deposit by 14 February and receive a bonus $200 ‘Discover More Travel Credit’ per couple, which can be used on any Beyond Travel product.

Featured image: MSC Grandiosa is the first of three Meraviglia-Plus ships to join MSC Cruises’ fleet to be followed in 2020 by MSC Virtuosa and the LNG-powered World Class MSC Europa in 2022 (MSC Cruises)