Cruise News – Ship Ahoy

There’s lots happening on the cruise front as eager cruise lovers wait until they can take to the seas again – COVID safe, of course.

Here’s a round-up of the latest cruising news.

Crystal Endeavour

Crystal Endeavour is on track to debut in summer 2022.

Production for the highly anticipated luxury expedition ship recently resumed as Crystal looks ahead to new destinations and experiences for travellers

Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and CEO says while disappointed that Crystal Endeavor’s delivery has been delayed, they are looking forward to introducing this remarkable ship.

“As the most spacious and luxurious ship in the expedition market, Crystal Endeavor will offer new ways for luxury travellers to explore the world,” he says.

“It features a design that anticipates the needs and comforts of guests with generous public spaces and elegant suites.

“There will also be immersive and enriching destination experiences and world-class cuisine and attentive service from the best crew in the world.”

Future Destinations

Upcoming destinations planned for 2022 with Crystal Endeavor include the Norwegian Fjords and Scottish Isles, France, Spain and Portugal, the Atlantic Isles and Western Africa, Brazil and Argentina, and Antarctica.

Crystal Endeavor will navigate some of the world’s most remote areas, where wildlife far out-measures human life and rugged landscapes punctuate the waterline.

The ship will offer three dedicated categories of exploration.

They are Remote Expedition, visiting some of the most far-flung destinations and uninhabited locales; Cultural Discovery, distinguished by an emphasis on the region and its people; and Destination Exploration, highlighting the natural wonders and beauty of the destinations.

About Crystal Endeavor

The expedition ship will accommodate 200 guests with elegantly casual, generous public spaces designed to showcase the outside scenery; all-suite, all-verandah, butler-serviced guest rooms and Michelin-inspired dining options with six dining venues including Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar.

Spa

Spa lovers will enjoy the full-service Crystal Life Salon & Spa and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center.

Expedition-specific amenities and spaces will enhance guests’ experience, including enrichment areas, designated mud rooms, a helicopter lounge and a seven-person submersible will also be on board, allowing for deep-water explorations up to 980 feet in several areas of the world.

Details

www.crystalcruises.com

Regent Concierge Suite Benefits.

Regent passengers can enjoy a free one-night pre-cruise hotel stay when they upgrade to a Concierge Suite.

Or they can upgrade to a luxuriously appointed Penthouse Suite and enjoy additional perks and amenities including a personal butler.

Guests from Australia and New Zealand,  sailing in a Deluxe Window through to Penthouse Suites can also enjoy the benefits of 50 per cent reduced deposits, except on Grand Voyages and World Cruises.

Jason Montague, President and Chief Executive Officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises says:

“Following an unprecedented year, we didn’t want to limit travel options for our guests, which is why we decided to make Upgrade Your Horizon our most generous suite upgrade by opening it up to all available ships, voyages and destinations.

“Regent is renowned for delivering an unrivalled experience with every luxury included, which our guests can now enjoy with heightened in-suite service-levels thanks to a FREE 2-Category Suite Upgrade in the destination of their choice.”

Regent Reassurance

Regent Reassurance, which allows travellers to cancel for any reason up to 15 days prior to departure date and receive a 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit, has been extended for all bookings made by 31 January 2021, for all voyages departing through 31 October 2021.

 Details

www.RSSC.com

Golden Horizon’s 2021 Festive Season

Sail through the Whitsundays and into the 2021 Festive Season Aboard the World’s Biggest Sailing Ship.

Australians can spend the 2021 festive season sailing along the Great Barrier Reef and through the Whitsunday Islands aboard the world’s largest and newest sailing ship, Golden Horizon.

New Stay and Sail Package

It is part of a new 16-night stay and sail package offered by Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller.

The exclusive holiday package from Cairns to Sydney will allow guests to laze and snorkel off beaches in the sunny Whitsundays Islands on Christmas Day.

Passengers can watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks from the tall ship off the Gold Coast and relax at sea under the ship’s billowing sails on the first day of 2022.

Cruise Traveller experienced its busiest booking period in all of 2020 following the opening of sales on November 2, 2020, of 2021/22 Australian summer voyages aboard the deluxe, five-masted tall ship, Golden Horizon, due to be launched this April.

Cruise Traveller is the exclusive launch partner for new UK-based cruise line, Tradewind Voyages, which will debut Golden Horizon this year and bring her to Australia in December 2021.

Great Barrier Reef and Festive Season

The 2021 Great Barrier Reef and Festive Season package starts on December 21, 2021, with a one-night hotel stay in Cairns.

Guests will board the 272-passenger Golden Horizon the next day for a 15-night voyage south to Sydney via Townsville, the Whitsunday Islands for Christmas, Brisbane, Noosa, a sail past the Gold Coast on New Year’s Eve for the fireworks and also visits to Trial Bay and Newcastle in NSW.

The cruise ends in Sydney on January 6, 2022, when scores of spectators are expected to flock to the harbour to witness the inaugural arrival in the harbour of the huge 162m-long sailing ship.

The 16-night package is available until March 31, 2021, from A$9530 per person, twin-share, including a night in Cairns, beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship, onboard gratuities and use of the ship’s extensive water sports equipment.

They include water skis, pico sailboats, kayaks, windsurfers, stand up paddle boards, snorkelling gear and a floating island and trampoline for fun in the water off the ship’s marina platform.

About Golden Horizon

Golden Horizon is a modern, luxurious and spacious sailing ship but also graceful and traditional in style.

Tradewind Voyages planso have the eco-friendly vessel, which boasts 6300 square metres of billowing sails, under the sole power of wind for 70 per cent of the time.

The majestic Golden Horizon will offer modern-day seafarers a fine cuisine dining room, three pools, gym, library, spa sanctuary, four bars and a marina platform. All 140 cabins will offer ocean vistas

Details

www.cruisetraveller.com.au/tradewind-festive or contact a travel agent.

Viking Sale

Viking has launched its major sale of 2021 offering travellers incredible offers on a range of remarkable voyages departing 2022 and 2023, delivering a new optimism for future travel.

Travellers need to plan ahead, with savings of up to $5,600 per couple when booked before 31 March 2021.

Discovery Cruise Sale

The Discovery Cruise Sale features incredible savings on Viking’s most popular and iconic river, ocean and expedition cruises.

Plus, with the extension of its Risk-Free Guarantee to 31 January 2021, Viking offers travellers the freedom to change their plans up to 24 hours before departure.

Michelle Black, Viking ANZ Managing Director says there’s no doubt that 2020 was not the year any of us expected. Thankfully it’s time to welcome in a new year and a fresh start. It’s time to look forward, with optimism and hope, to make up for lost time.”

“No matter where you choose to travel; our modern, spacious small ships with industry-leading health and safety protocols and onboard procedures will truly get you there in style and comfort.

“The Viking Way of exploration means you’re travelling with like-minded travellers, with our no kids and no casinos promise, and confident in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

“It’s in this spirit of discovery and forward-thinking we’ve unveiled a suite of exclusive offers on voyages departing right through to 2023, and all backed by our Risk-Free Guarantee for the certainty and peace of mind you need to plan ahead in today’s world,” she concluded.

Discover 2022 and 2023 voyages included in the offer:

• 15-day Grand European Cruise exploring central Europe’s rivers from Budapest to Amsterdam or v.v. is priced from $5,995pp, including savings of up to $1,600 per couple and flights up to the value of $1,800 per person. Departs 17 November 2022.
• 13-day Waterways of the Tsars river cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg or v.v. is priced from $7,995pp, including savings of up to $2,000per couple and flights up to the value of $1,800pp. Departs 9 October 2022.
• 15-day Magnificent Mekong from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or v.v. is priced from $6,495pp, including savings of up to $2,000 per couple. Departs 4 August 2023.
• 23-day European Sojourn from Bucharest to Amsterdam or v.v. is priced from $10,995pp, including savings of up to $2,000 per couple and flights up to the value of $1,800pp. Departs 26 July 2022.
• 15-day Australia & New Zealand from Sydney to Auckland or v.v. is priced from $7,995pp, including savings of up to $4,000 per couple. Departs 22 December 2022
• 18-day South American & the Chilean Fjords from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso or v.v. is priced from $8,695pp, including savings of up to $3,000 per couple. Departs 1 December 2022

 

About Viking

No matter where in the world they sail, Viking’s small and spacious ships will deliver a safe and comfortable experience.

Boasting industry leading health and safety protocols and procedures on board, the sleek and modern fleet boasts all-outside staterooms, bright and airy Scandinavian interiors and plenty of space.

With no more than 930 guests on ocean vessels and 190 guests on European Longships, guests will never feel they’re in a crowd.

No Kids and No Casinos

Viking’s promise of ‘no kids and no casinos’ has long stood it apart from the competition as a point of difference. In the new era of global travel, this promise is also a point of reassurance.

Offers available until 31 March 2021 or until sold out. Risk-Free Guarantee is applicable to new bookings made before 31 January 2021.

Details 

www.vikingcruises.com.au