JULY 2023 ISSUE
LIMITED CABINS are still available on a special three-country themed voyage aboard a new boutique vessel.
Heritage Line has just revealed a detailed itinerary for its maiden voyage on the Upper Mekong, departing from UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang in Laos.
Guests sailing aboard Heritage Line ANOUVONG from August 27 to 30 will be immersed into the culture, cuisine and history of each of the countries making up the famed Golden Triangle – Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
The vessel boasts 10 elegant staterooms and signature suites with Jacuzzis showcasing a bespoke design, replete with traditional Laotian handicrafts and textiles, one-of-a-kind artworks and French-inspired accents.
“We can’t wait to celebrate this enthralling new destination and the debut of our beautiful new ship with travellers keen to witness dramatic mountain landscapes and captivating cultural villages,” said Andreas Schroetter, Heritage Line’s Director of Sales & Marketing.
Deluxe inclusions during this four-day, three-night voyage include a welcome champagne reception, complimentary drinks package, bar and lounge snacks, daily sunset happy hour, one free mini-bar, unique alfresco culinary events and full board dining, and transfers to and from the ship.
Guests can also enjoy an insightful lecture from expert host Francis Engelmann, discounted spa treatments, daily guided shore excursions and an exclusive personal gift.
The ‘Magnificent Maiden Voyage from Luang Prabang to Xuay Hai’ is priced from $US1,421 (approx. $AU2,120) per person.
First Look At Celebrity With An Edge
CELEBRITY CRUISES have revealed the first details about their newest resort at sea which is due to launch in November.
The fourth vessel in the brand’s Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent will be the newest ship out of South Florida once launched.
The ship will undertake a Caribbean season with sailings from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands before departing to Europe for a summer of Mediterranean cruises.
Highlights of what’s new include:
♦ Redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, his second restaurant at sea with Celebrity still the only cruise line to feature a Boulud restaurant. The reimagined space will offer an intimate fine dining experience inspired by the Chef’s travels
♦ An all-new, plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant, bringing guests closer to the earth through a culinary journey rooted in untouched, fresh and seasonal ingredients
♦ New nightly entertainment program where the Resort Deck is transformed into a dynamic hub of exhilarating live performances and DJ sets
♦ Three new production shows at The Theatre
♦ Bourbon offerings and tastings at Craft Social, which expands on the existing whiskey tastings but will now offer high-end bourbons and new tasting seminars.
“I am so excited to introduce the world to Celebrity Ascent and continue the legacy of Celebrity’s Edge Series,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President Celebrity Cruises.
MORE MAGIC COMING WITH DOWN UNDER DISNEY
DISNEY CRUISE Line has announced a new season of voyages coming to Australia.
A special season of two- to seven-night cruises, sailing from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane onboard the Disney Wonder, will take place from October 2024 through to February 2025.
The announcement follows the impressive response to the cruise line’s inaugural Australia season that will begin in October.
The 2024-2025 itineraries include a new seven-night cruise and select sailings that include ports of call at Hobart, Eden and Noumea. Bookings opened at the end of June.
“We look forward to bringing the magic of Disney to this beautiful part of the world as we welcome both returning guests and those who are new to our special brand of family cruising,” said Sharon Siskie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Wonder has 11 decks featuring restaurants, pools and recreation spaces that are designed to inspire and entertain guests of all ages.
Families will meet friends from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars and watch Broadway-style shows at the Walt Disney Theatre, including Frozen: A Musical Spectacular.
Grown-ups have their own exclusive spaces to rest and relax, including an adults-only pool area, sophisticated dining and the rejuvenating Senses Spa & Salon.
LOOK WHO’S CUMMING TO SEA THE QUEEN
STAGE AND screen star Alan Cumming will join Cunard as part of the luxury cruise line’s renowned Insights program.
Cumming will be aboard for the Transatlantic Crossing on flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 on December 8.
While sailing on the seven-night voyage from New York to Southampton, Cumming will offer a Q&A session with guests, host two screenings and hold a book signing of his memoir, Baggage.
“Alan’s immense talent and captivating presence will be a highlight for guests, giving them the opportunity to learn about his career, creative process and personal journey, and creating an unforgettable experience during their crossing,” said Matt Gleaves, VP Commercial, Cunard North America.
Cumming has appeared in numerous films and television shows, was nominated for Emmys, SAG Awards and Golden Globes, and is a long-time renowned stage actor both in New York and London.
Most famously Alan won a Tony award for his role in Cabaret on Broadway and is best known for his roles in Emma, GoldenEye, Anniversary Party, X2 and The Good Wife.
THE SKY CERTAINLY ISN’T THE LIMIT
VISITORS TO Fiji are being promised a new era in cruise experiences with the arrival of MS Caledonian Sky.
Sailing from Nadi, the ship will replace MV Reef Endeavour and will start exploring Fiji from November 11.
In addition, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has revealed a new product offering by expanding her itineraries even further into the most remote parts of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
“The arrival of MS Caledonian Sky will see an expansion in our small ship expedition cruise programs and allow us to share more exquisite and remote locations with our guests, who’ll travel in elegant comfort,” said Allison Haworth West, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Executive Chairman.
The ship has a capacity of just 114 passengers across 57 spacious ocean view suites. Guests can enjoy the luxury of their own private balconies, elegant suites, alfresco dining and an expansive sky deck.
All experiences will be enhanced by an expansion of the onboard expedition team of marine biologists and cultural experts plus a fleet of 10 Zodiacs.
Rates on the MS Caledonian Sky start from $3,297 per person for her three-night itinerary and from $7,693 per person for her seven-night cruises.
Farol de Camara, Madeira
COLLECTION MIXES THE NEW AND THE OLD
AN IMPRESSIVE 164 new itineraries involving 29 maiden ports of call will be on offer in the 2025-2026 Voyage Collection from Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Reservations are open for sale with sailings ranging from seven nights to the 154-night 2026 World Cruise.
Established favourites will return, such as Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America, along with close to home destinations including Australia and New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific.
The collection also features nine new sailings in Africa and Arabia and allows guests the chance to embark in Doha and Port Louis in Mauritius for the first time.
Adding to the destination immersion are 124 overnight stays in highly sought-after ports of call such as Istanbul, Bangkok and Luxor.
Further highlights include five new ports in Madagascar, two 14-night roundtrip sailings in Alaska for Seven Seas Explorer and a North America season for Seven Seas Splendor.
Regent’s newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, will also sail her maiden season in Northern Europe along with two transits through the Panama Canal. She will begin her 2025 season sailing the Mediterranean on April 2, 2025, with a 14-night voyage from Barcelona to Istanbul.
“Our 2025-2026 Voyage Collection provides our guests with an unrivalled experience, exploring the world around us with immersive itineraries that span a range of much-loved to more unique destinations,” said Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
