Miss any shipshape updates this week? Get up to speed with the latest intel, thanks to our weekly wrap of all the news making waves in cruising right now.
Finally! There’s so much going on in the world of cruising again (Hurrah!).
So to make your life easier in navigating it all, we’ve fathomed it all out by curating a wrap of the latest news you need to know this week.
Welcome aboard. The sail-away party starts right here.
Uniworld launches its first luxury cruise-and-rail experience in India
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is teaming up with Maharajas’ Express to offer a new 16-day immersive journey through India. The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas’ Express cruise-and-rail trip combines seven nights’ aboard Ganges Voyager II from Kolkata and a 7-night luxury private train journey to Mumbai plus an additional two nights’ stay in Oberoi Hotels in New Delhi and Mumbai.
As well as visiting iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and Ranthambore National Park, the itinerary also features four MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences. Departing 28 October 2023, prices start from AUD$29,589pp twin-share.
Find out more at uniworld.com
All aboard again! Carnival Splendor departs Sydney on first cruise Down Under in 3 years
Carnival Splendor embarked on her first Aussie passenger cruise in almost three years, launching with a ‘Back to Fun’ event on 1 October 2022 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with an excited bunch of 3,500-plus passengers aboard for the four-day cruise to Tangalooma, Moreton Island. A day earlier, Carnival Splendor was escorted into Sydney Harbour by sister cruise line ship Pacific Adventure.
Read on for more here.
Classy! Viking celebrates 25-year anniversary in Amsterdam with 3 ship classes
Viking marked its 25-year milestone with a historic meeting of three ship classes in Amsterdam on 30 September 2022 with the Viking Mani river ship, the Viking Mars ocean ship and the new expedition ship, the Viking Polaris, sailing in a special convoy to IJmuiden, Netherlands. The event also included a double naming ceremony for the cruise line’s two new expedition ships.
Read on for more here.
65% of Aussies would book a cruise holiday as popularity surges past 2019 levels
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts smooth sailing for the summer season with research showing that 65 per cent of Aussie cruisers and non-cruisers are likely to book a cruise in the next two years, up from 64 per cent in December 2019.
Read on for more here.
Disney Magic at Sea: Demand soars as bookings open on first day of sales
Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian in Florida, bookings opened even earlier today for the highly prized Disney Cruise Line Australia and New Zealand season on Disney Wonder, sailing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland in 2023.
Read on for more here.
Hurtigruten Norway launches first hybrid ship as Hurtigruten Expeditions adds Arctic trips
Hurtigruten Norway has introduced its first environmentally upgraded, battery-hybrid powered ship, MS Richard With, the first of the Coastal Express fleet to be updated with state-of-the-art technology to reduce carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions. Hurtigruten Expeditions has also announced the expansion of its 2023 Arctic summer season with seven brand-new adventures on four ships to provide the world’s largest offering of Arctic cruises.
Read on for more here.
MSC Voyagers Club card benefits extended to December 2023 plus earn extra points
MSC Cruises is extending its Voyagers Club card benefits until 31 December 2023 for cards expiring between October 2022 and April 2023. Voyagers Club members who book any cruise sailing between 1 November 2022 and 28 February 2023 before 30 November 2022 will receive 700 extra points credited before their departure on top of the 5 per cent membership discount.
Find out more at msccruises.com.au
Australia’s first 5-star river cruise to launch on Murray River in 2024
Murray River Paddlesteamers’ brand-new $6.75 million luxury river vessel – project name Australian Star – will offer year-round, all-inclusive overnight cruises from the historic Victorian river town of Echuca. The luxury, 40-passenger, 20-cabin ship is the world’s only woodfired, 5-star paddlesteamer and is expected to launch in late 2024.
Find out more at psemmyloucruises.com
Scenic Eclipse lands first combined helicopter flight and submarine dive in Canadian Arctic
Scenic Eclipse has achieved the first-ever combined helicopter flight and submarine dive operations in the Canadian Arctic on her recent inaugural 22-day Across the Northwest Passage Expedition Voyage. The debut for the ultra-luxe cruise/tour also included sightings of a wide range of wildlife, including narwhals, snowy owls and a whopping 62 polar bears.
Find out more at scenic.com.au
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