This week’s Cruise Wrap is best enjoyed while wearing a captain’s hat and listening to Enya’s “Sail Away” on repeat. Thank us later.

Get luxe treatment on Arctic and Russian far east expedition voyages with business class flights 

Silversea Cruises is offering included business-class air, international transfers and luggage handling on 13 select voyages in 2020, aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer in the Arctic and the Russian Far East.  Guests will also enjoy complimentarily: overseas transfers between the airport, hotel and ship; one-night pre-cruise accommodation; and daily shore excursions, with guided Zodiacs.

The 13 select voyages, include three Russian Far East sailings, departing on: 06 July 20 from Otaru (Hokkaido) to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska); 10 August 20 from Nome (Alaska), roundtrip; and 14 September 20 from Nome to Seward.

The 10 select Arctic voyages, depart between June and October, with sailings varying in duration from 9 days to 25 days.

In addition to the incredible value offered on these all-inclusive luxury expedition voyages, a selection of these are also part of the Bonus Savings summer sale, offering up to $1,000 per double suite or up to AU$500 per person on bookings made by 28 February 2020.

Celebrity Beyond gets started 

Celebrity Beyond, the third ship in the highly acclaimed, award-winning Edge Series from Celebrity Cruises, has made the move from concept to construct as the first piece of steel was cut at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

With the second-in-class Celebrity Apex set to arrive in Southampton in April 2020, the brand expects delivery of Celebrity Beyond in Autumn 2021.

Travelmarvel launches 2021 Europe pre-release with brand new contemporary ships

With brand new contemporary river ships there has never been a better time to recommend Travelmarvel to your clients.

The new ships feature a 2 ½ deck design, allowing maximum access to the ship’s Sun Deck throughout the cruise. Guests will be able to enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar, find a shady spot to unwind at the terrace garden or go for a dip in the heated whirlpool.

The brand-new Contemporary Class Ships also feature a more casual dining and social area. Named ‘McGeary’s Bar’ and situated at the back of the ship, guests will be able to enjoy hearty pub-style meals or enjoy an onboard beer – relaxing has never been easier!  And finally, designed specifically for a coffee-loving audience – a barista will be available with “real coffee” available on board!

Lindblad Expeditions becomes the first self-disinfecting fleet in cruise industry 

Lindblad Expeditions has become the first self-disinfecting fleet in the cruise industry.

In keeping with their legacy of sustainability and protecting the places they explore, they have announced that they are now implementing Premium Purity fleetwide, a unique cleaning system which creates a cleaner, healthier ship while drastically reducing the impact on the environment.

The new system, ACT CleanCoat, is a photocatalytic process that works when illuminated, breaking down unwanted microbes such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and airborne allergens.  It can be applied to all surfaces which become self-disinfecting after application. Created by ACT.Global A/S, a Copenhagen-based company, the antibacterial spray is transparent, odorless, and activated by light, and protects a room like an invisible insulation – plus purifies and deodorizes the air for up to one year.

Chemical-free, the product uses the ACT ECA water system created by electrolysis of salt and water, to clean the rooms which is completely harmless to guests, staff and the environment.

Sealink: discover the best of New Zealand in 17 days

With only a few seats left now is your last chance to book the all-inclusive ’17 Day Highlights of New Zealand’ escorted coach tour! Departing 15 March 2020, experience the iconic attractions of New Zealand, including the breathtaking Milford Sound, the world-renowned scenic rail journey – The TranzAlpine and the magnificent Bay of Islands.

The tour is escorted by well-known South Australian tour host, Shirley Tamm, who has over 36 years’ experience in the travel industry.

Viking releases 2021 river cruise brochure 

Viking has released its 2021 River Cruise Brochure, with over 200 pages packed full of itineraries sailing the rivers of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Asia and Egypt, as well as details on Viking’s brand-new ship, new itineraries, shore excursions as well as two new pre/post-cruise extensions. The brochure will be distributed nationally to travel partners this week.

Featured in the 2021 brochure is the brand-new 82-guest Viking Osiris, purpose-built by Viking for comfort in one of the world’s most intriguing destinations and offering the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Marking the line’s third ship on Egypt’s Nile River, Viking Osiris will bring an unprecedented luxury to the Nile and is already proving incredibly popular, with very limited availability for 2021. Priced from $6,995 per person.

Coral Expeditions launches all-new ‘Revitalise on the Reef’ Wellness program on Great Barrier Reef

Coral Expeditions has launched all-new 7-night ‘Revitalise on the Reef’ wellness expeditions on the Outer Great Barrier Reef commencing in 2021.

Travelling onboard yacht-like, small ship Coral Discoverer, these new sailings feature a customised wellness program against the backdrop of extraordinary marine life and the natural heritage of Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage icons, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

As Coral Expeditions moves to customise itineraries to meet the demand by health-oriented guests, Wellness Expert Kris Abbey, who has curated the program, says it makes sense to combine a wellness program with natural attractions to enhance overall health and vitality for the mind, body and soul.

Windstar Cruises unveils new officer’s suite on Wind Surf

On Windstar Cruises ’flagship Wind Surf, which just emerged from a major renovation, guests are able to stay in the new Officer’s Suite.

The nautically appointed suite on the five-masted schooner (the largest sailing cruise ship in the world) is located directly behind the Bridge, in an area labelled ‘crew only’.

While all of Windstar’s six ships have an open Bridge – where guests can interact with the ship’s officers and get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at cruising – the Officer’s Suite is the only public accommodation in the officers ‘quarters.

It is believed to be the only suite of its kind at sea –and perhaps the ultimate true cruise enthusiasts’ accommodation.

MSC Cruises deploys ‘Grand Voyage’ first embarkation port from Shanghai to Singapore 

MSC Splendida will reposition to Singapore to start her 27-night ‘Grand Voyage’ to Dubai and Europe for a 14 February departure.

The itinerary changes are a result of the coronavirus health situation in China although there have been no reported cases among passengers or crew on board MSC Splendida while she has served the Asia market throughout the winter.

Free onboard spending money of up to 400 euros per couple or 200 euros for solos on river cruises in Europe

Until February 29, 2020, Riviera Travel River Cruises is offering an onboard spending credit of up to of 400 euros per couple – or up to 200 euros for solos – on bookings made on almost all its sailings across Europe this year.

The sailings cover 12 different itineraries of eight or 15 days in length featuring rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle and the canals of Holland.

The onboard spending credit will be 200 euros per couple for cruises lasting eight days (or 100 euros for sole occupancy cabins) and 400 euros per couple for 15-day sailings (200 euros for solos). The credit will be valid for all existing or new bookings made by February 29, 2020.

The onboard credit can be used to buy drinks, spa treatments, boutique purchases or extra optional shore excursions onboard Riviera Travel’s five-star ships.

Sailings dedicated exclusively to solo travellers – where all passengers pay no single supplement already- are excluded from the offer.