The Cruise Director: US river cruises

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According to Ted Sykes, president of the American Queen Steamboat Company, thousands of passengers have cruised on American Queen in the past year. The opulent six-deck river ship visits some of America’s most famous river port cities, including Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, St Louis and St Paul.

The other major river ship operator in the US is American Cruise Lines, which is launching two 175-passenger paddle-wheelers next year – one on the Mississippi, to join its traditional-style, 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi, and the other on the Columbia and Snake rivers, where its equally ornate Queen of the West currently cruises.

Feeling blue: Celebrity Century.

American Cruise Lines has a fleet of six river ships and also runs cruises in America’s north-east and south-east regions – think New England and its fall colours, or a voyage through the historic cities of Savannah, Charleston, Jekyll Island and Beaufort.

sally.macmillan@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Shipshape

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Century

LAUNCHED: 1995; when its 2014-15 season finishes the ship will join Royal Caribbean’s French line CDF Croisieres de France.

PASSENGERS CREW: 1814 passengers (double occupancy), 860 crew.

ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation ranges from butler service suites to balcony, ocean view (window) and inside staterooms. Ten are wheelchair accessible and there are 84 connecting staterooms.

REGULAR HAUNTS: Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands, south-east Asia.

PERFECT FOR: Mature couples, singles, families with older children.

DINING: The Grand Dining Room seats just over 1000 and features the best views in the house through a two-storey aft high window. Islands Cafe is the buffet option, Murano the extra-charge speciality restaurant and for light snacks there is Cova Cafe di Milano, AquaSpa Cafe and the Sushi Cafe.

PARTYING: Bars to sample include the Martini Bar, Michael’s Club and the Champagne Bar, while the Crystal Room is a favourite spot for after-dinner dancing.

DOING: Enjoy a pampering treatment in AquaSpa, which includes the signature Celebrity Persian Garden aromatherapy and steam rooms. Teens have their own space in the X-treme lounge and video arcade.

DID YOU KNOW? Celebrity Century’s 2014-15 Australian season features 11 sailings, ranging from seven to 23 nights. New itineraries include the line’s first cruise to combine Tropical Queensland with the Pacific islands.

THE DETAILS: Fares for Celebrity Century’s 2014-15 Australian season start from $1099 for an eight-night South Australia cruise departing October 22, round-trip from Sydney. Ports of call include Melbourne, Adelaide and Port Lincoln. Phone 1800 754 500, see celebritycruises.com.au.

Deals

OFFER OF THE WEEK

Free flights are among APT’s early-booking deals for its 2015 European river cruise program. Fares for a 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest start at $7795, including return flights with Singapore Airlines. Also included are luxury excursions, complimentary beverages, transfers and gratuities. Book by October 31. Phone 1300 196 420, see aptouring.com.au.

OTHER DEALS

CRUISEABOUT is offering 20 per cent savings and onboard credits on a range of Cunard cruises, including a 13-night Sydney-New Zealand round trip on Queen Mary 2, departing on March 12. Fares start at $2399 and include a $200 onboard credit when booked by June 30. Phone 1300 450 133, see cruiseabout.com.au.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’s Summer on Sale specials include seven-day Alaska cruises on Oosterdam. The round-trip from Vancouver departs on September 7 and 14 and visits the Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. From $1198. Phone 1300 987 322, see hollandamerica.com.au.

Tip

VIVID Sydney is lighting up our city again and what better place to view the spectacle than from the harbour? Captain Cook Cruises has a variety of cruises that offer sensational views of the projections across Sydney’s most famous landmarks.

The cruises complement the VIVID Light walk, which features more than 60 interactive light installations from Sydney Cove, through The Rocks to Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour. For details, see captaincook.com.au.