Have you missed any recent cruise travel updates? Expert cruise contributor Sally Macmillan helps bring you up to speed with the latest intel in this weekly wrap of what’s making waves in cruising right now.
All aboard for MSC Cruises’ world voyages
Guests onboard MSC Poesia’s current world cruise, which left Civitavecchia on 5 January and is scheduled to arrive in Southampton on 28 April 2024, are set to enjoy outstanding culinary creations from a line-up of international guest chefs on the next leg of their journey.
If you can’t snag any of the limited spots still available on some segments of MSC Poesia’s 2024 world cruise, MSC Magnifica is sailing world cruises in 2025 and 2026, setting off from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.
Fares for the 2025 Genoa round-trip start from $26,717 per person in an inside cabin and from $30,653 for the 2026 Genoa round-trip.
For more information, visit msccruises.com.au.
Big savings for solo travellers on Scenic Eclipse
It’s well known that solo travel is one of the fastest-growing travel sectors, but the single supplement is a major stumbling block for many would-be solo cruisers.
New special offers for select voyages aboard the ultra-luxe, 22-guest Scenic Eclipse allow solo travellers to save up to 100 per cent off the single supplement.
“Our all-inclusive Scenic Eclipse voyages are ideal for solo travellers,” said Anthony Laver, Scenic Group General Manager, Sales & Marketing for APAC.
“We ensure an all-inclusive experience, with an expert crew dedicated to making guests feel comfortable and create interactive excursions each day, for solo guests to have meaningful conversations and make new friends easily.”
Solo offers apply to several Kimberley departures in 2024; Lisbon to Dublin in May 2024; an 18-day Arctic Circle cruise in June 2024; Greenland and Canada in September 2024; and two New Zealand cruises departing in November and December 2024.
For more information, visit scenic.com.au.
Riviera launches 2 new riverships and huge savings
UK-based river cruise line Riviera Travel River Cruises is launching two new riverships in 2025 – the 114-guest Riviera Rose and the 178-guest Riviera Radiance.
The two new vessels will take Riviera’s fleet to 14 modern luxury ships, which feature an array of exceptional onboard facilities at true value-for-money fares.
To celebrate its 40th year in 2024, Riviera is offering savings of $1,000 per person on all seven-night cruises and $1,500 on 10- to 14-night cruises in 2024 and 2025, when booked by 31 March 2024. A complimentary drinks package is also included.
Riviera accepts bookings exclusively from travel advisors.
For more information, visit rivieratravel.com.au.
20% Early Bird discounts on Heritage Expeditions’ 2025-26 voyages
New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is offering advisors and guests a 20 per cent Early Bird discount on the first nine voyages of its 2025-26 season, for bookings made by 29 April 2024.
Heritage Expeditions will explore sought-after destinations such as the islands of Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia and the Kimberley coast.
Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ said the family-owned and operated cruise company’s maiden voyages in Japan and Kimberley in 2023 had been a tremendous success and the company was eager to return in 2025.
Ross also said the company was looking to add another industry first with a visit to Polilo Island in the Philippines on its Asian Island Odyssey voyage, an expedition cruise from Taipei to Darwin.
For more information, visit heritage-expeditions.com.
Uniworld’s latest Super Ship launches in March
SS Victoria, formerly known as Crystal Bach, is the newest addition to Uniworld’s fleet of ultra-luxury riverships. She brings her own individual style to the fleet – every ship is different – and features light-filled spaces and an elegant, contemporary design.
Accommodating just 110 guests with 41 crew members to provide top-level service, SS Victoria offers every guest plenty of room to move.
The staterooms are exceptionally spacious, each fitted with floor-to ceiling windows, a king-sized beds, espresso machine, rain shower and a bathroom stocked with Asprey products, plush towels and comfy bathrobes.
SS Victoria embarks on her maiden season in Europe in March 2024, sailing on a range of itineraries on the Rhine and Moselle that take in the picturesque countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and France.
For more information, visit uniworld.com.