The Minerva in Antarctica
Cruise News
Australia First
It is practically a patriotic duty for all Australians to take a historic, discovery-style cruise along our most famous waterway – the Murray River. Captain Cook Cruises’ PS Murray Princess is a journey in its own right, with the cruise boat replicating many of the features of the old paddle-wheelers that plied the Murray River back in the 1800s. Nostalgia buffs and first-timers will be agog at Murray Princess’ interior, all polished wood and gold trimmings, with a winding staircase, full-length windows and a historic paddle-wheel encased in glass.
Murray Princess cruises 280 kilometres along the river between Blanchetown and Murray Bridge, gliding through incredible terrain. Sightings of wildlife are common; more than 350 species of birds frequent the areas flanking the mighty Murray, and you’ll get plenty of glimpses into Australian history and culture en route. You’ll pass by majestic limestone cliffs, pretty gorges and riverbanks lined with mallee scrub, red gum forests and 100-year-old stone causeways. Led by on-shore guides, passengers can also enjoy nature walks, nocturnal eco-tours and talks about the ecology of the river.
Each day features exciting excursions to historic river ports, sacred Aboriginal sites, a sheep station and woolshed, local wineries and a native wildlife shelter. The experience is sure to make all those school-day history lessons spring to life.
For more information, phone 1800 804 843 or visit www.captaincook.com.au
The Minerva in Antarctica
DescaradA Delights
For many, Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands are a dream destination – whether you are bobbing about on a boat, feeling the wind in your sails, exploring the treasures of the deep or just lounging about in luxury aboard 21-metre (70-foot) motor yacht DescaradA.
DescaradA has recently been refurbished and refined, and the results are exemplary. It accommodates just eight passengers on overnight charters, taking up to 38 people on day charters. But as a romantic escape to glorious spots such as Whitehaven Beach, Nara Inlet and South Molle, it doesn’t come much better. Or you might have a special family occasion – in which case, you might want to charter the vessel and make a memorable day of it.
All three-day cruises in April and May 2009 include a complimentary overnight stay in Airlie Beach (DescaradA’s home port) before sailing. The four-night indulgent escape package includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, a full cruise itinerary with activities and your selected cabin, from AU$1495 per person, twin share.
For more information, phone 1800 606 136 or go to www.descarada.com.au
The Minerva in Antarctica
Pacific Gems
Another superliner is set to join P&O Australia’s ever expanding fleet, and this time, she is a pearl. The 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl will join the cruise line’s fleet at the end of 2010. She will be P&O Cruises’ fourth vessel, sailing alongside its two existing ships, 77,000-tonne Pacific Dawn and 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun.
Pacific Pearl will follow incoming superliner Pacific Jewel, which will join the fleet in December 2009. It will carry around 2000 passengers and offer a range of facilities including multiple swimming pools, restaurants and lounges, as well as cabins with private balconies.
Presently sailing as Ocean Village in the UK, the soon-to-be Pacific Pearl will undergo refurbishment before the ship is deployed to Australia. New itineraries are yet to be finalised.
For more information, phone 13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au
An elephant encounter on a Cruise Express cruise safari to South Africa
Lion of a journey
In 2010, for the first time in her history, the world’s most famous ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, will cross the Indian Ocean from Australia to Africa. Cruise Express is offering special fly/cruise safaris to Australians keen to make the historic journey. And there will not only be lions but elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos as well as giraffes, hyenas and impala, if you choose to add on a safari to Kruger National Park or Chobe National Park in Botswana. The new, escorted “Voyages of Discovery” cruise tours begin in Sydney on 8 March 2010, sailing for Cape Town, and come in modules of 18, 21, 23 and 25 nights, starting from AU$5490.
Bigger than 25,000 African male elephants and towering 23 storeys, the huge Queen Mary 2 will make maiden visits to Adelaide, Perth, Mauritius, Durban and Cape Town and will be the biggest ship ever to visit those ports. Options include a 25-night package including the cruise from Sydney to Cape Town, three nights in Cape Town and two at Kruger, plus the flight home, starting from AU$7990 per person; and a 25-night package including the cruise from Sydney to Cape Town, three nights in Cape Town, two at Victoria Falls and two at Chobe, from AU$8990 per person. Something to really roar about.
For more information, phone 02 9810 5377 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au
Beautiful Rio de Janiero is one of the highlights of South America
A class act
Fresh from dry-dock, Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager paid a visit to Sydney in February. Cruise News was invited on board to inspect her newly refurbished interior. Already rated among the classiest medium-size cruise ships afloat, the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) ships, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, formerly of Radisson Seven Seas, have undergone an amazing “Regent re-fit”.
Like its sister ship, Seven Seas Voyager has been re-decorated with all the trimmings and fittings that distinguish the Regent brand – genuine chic and elegant understatement is evident in the soft furnishings, colour themes, restaurants and more.
You could hardly better Signatures, Seven Seas Voyager’s undeniably French restaurants, which feature French-trained Le Cordon Bleu chefs, menus and service. Even the menus are crisp white with shiny gold buttons – and when you open them, there are all manner of delicacies to titillate your palate: lobster salad, foie gras and truffle-topped tournedos, and desserts that might even make you weep with joy.
RSCC has just announced a new series of “Ultra-Inclusive Voyages”, with free shore excursions included in the price of 35 of its cruises, as part of the line’s new cruise-pricing initiative. Examples of excursions offered on select cruises include an evening at the ballet and visit to the Hermitage in St Petersburg; a tour of Alexandria’s library and museum; and a tour of Mayan ruins and New River cruise in Belize.
For more information, phone 1800 251 174 (Australia) or 0800 446 376 (New Zealand), or go to www.wiltrans.com.au
P&O's Pacific Pearl
Cruising through China
Viking River Cruises has added a relaxing yet comprehensive Yangtze River experience to its roster of journeys through China: the 13-day “Yangtze Explorer” starting at AU$3099 per person double occupancy in a Category C stateroom. Participants fly into Shanghai, stay one night, then embark on an 11-day Yangtze cruise the following day; after disembarking, they enjoy one final night in Shanghai before flying home. Passengers embark on the Viking Century Sun at Chongqing and cruise all the way to Nanjing (or the other way around), passing through the famous Three Gorges along the way. Viking Century Sun is the largest ship in Viking’s fleet, with a capacity of more than 300 guests. Every stateroom is deluxe, with hotel-style beds, and every stateroom has a full balcony. In addition to the “Yangtze Explorer” 13-day itinerary, Viking River Cruises is also releasing cruise-only itineraries on selected 2009 sailings.
For more information, phone 1800 829 138 (Australia) or 0800 447 913 (New Zealand) or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com
A misty view of the Lesser Three Gorges with Viking River Cruises
Scenic South America
So vast is the diverse continent of South America that one of the best ways to experience it is in a series of smallish bites. Luxury Expedition Cruising is an excellent option for those wanting to tackle South America in manageable chunks.
With this in mind, Scenic Tours has launched six brand-new South America itineraries, featuring cruises to Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon River. Options include an 11-night cruise to Antarctica aboard the comfortably luxurious MV Minerva; a cruise to the Galapagos Islands, home to the distinctive wildlife that provided inspiration for Charles Darwin; and Scenic Tours’ exclusive charter on the MV Aqua, alleged to be the most luxurious river-cruising vessel on the Amazon River. No matter which itinerary you choose, your tour of South America will be an adventure and a memorable learning experience.
For more information, phone 1300 723 642 or visit www.scenictours.com
By Maggy Oehlbeck
The Murray Princess explores the heart of Australia |
Capital Gains