Big Fat Cruise Wrap

What a week it has been for cruising. Cruise ships are heading back to Cuba from the USA, Royal Caribbean reveal 2017/2018 itineraries and there are some suite deals on offer with Avalon’s new ship.

Royal Caribbean 2017/2018 itineraries

Royal Caribbean International invites travellers to discover the vibrant cultural wonders and untamed beauty of the most sought-after Caribbean islands and picturesque landscapes of New England and Canada.

Departing from the New Jersey, Florida and Puerto Rico, year-round and seasonal escapes to the Caribbean and Canada are on sale now.

Royal Caribbean will offer expanded Caribbean itineraries from the New York area in 2017, with Rhapsody of the Seas joining Anthem of the Seas in Cape Liberty, New Jersey. This will be the first time that two Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing from Cape Liberty. Anthem, sister ship to Australia’s very own Ovation of the Seas, boasts the ground-breaking technology and first-at-sea features of the technologically advanced Quantum-class, while Rhapsody offers an intimately-sized and entertainment-filled, Vision-class experience.

Whether recovering from the winter chill, or simply enjoying a northern summer holiday, escapes to the Caribbean offer a variety of heart-pumping excursions, picturesque natural wonders, and plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge on more than 400 acres of pristine beaches.

FREE return flights to Asia with Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is offering guests free return flights for two repositioning Asian sailings onboard award-winning Celebrity Solstice. This incredible offer will provide free flights for bookings made in Balcony Staterooms or above and is valid for new individual bookings made before 24 May 2016*.

Fares start from $3099 per person in a Balcony Stateroom departing Sydney 8 October 2016. The 14-night cruise onboard the modern luxe cruise ship will make calls to Brisbane, Cairns, the Whitsundays, Darwin and Bali before arriving in Singapore. The free flight offer extends to domestic flights from Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne or Adelaide to Sydney to meet the ship, and home to the same ports from Singapore at the conclusion of the voyage.

Or choose the same 14 night itinerary in reverse, departing Singapore on 31 October and including international flights to meet the ship, and domestic flights to either Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne or Adelaide if guests live outside of Sydney at the conclusion of the cruise; all priced from $3349 per person (Balcony).

Avalon Waterways Celebrates Newest Suite Ship

Respected New Zealand broadcaster Judy Bailey has launched Avalon Waterways’ newest river cruise ship Avalon Imagery II at a ceremony on the Rhine in Germany.

Becoming the first New Zealander to name an Avalon vessel, the former TVNZ newsreader christened Avalon Imagery II and gave a blessing in Maori at the scenic town of Engers.

“May your journey be safe from launch to landing,” Bailey said, translating the Maori. “I bless you with the breath of life.”

The event was hosted by Avalon’s Auckland office and involved more than 70 travel industry guests from around New Zealand, as well as international guests and dignitaries.

It follows similar launches hosted by Avalon’s other key markets in recent years, including christenings by Australian media identities Deborah Hutton in 2014 and Lisa Wilkinson in 2011.

Avalon Imagery II is the latest example of Avalon Waterways’ successful Suite Ship concept, which offers two entire decks of all-suite accommodation and 30 per cent more cabin space than the industry average.  Each of its suites features wall-to-wall panoramic windows that can be opened to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony, or closed to create an inviting living area.

At 110m in length, Avalon Imagery II will cater to no more than 128 passengers, providing a more intimate and spacious cruise. The ship will operate primarily on the Rhine, offering Avalon’s eight-day Romantic Rhine itinerary between Amsterdam and Basel.