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.
RSSC amps up the nightlife
In an industry first, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Immersive Overnights voyages will feature overnight stays in every port on six itineraries in 2024 and 2025.
The voyages, onboard four of RSSC’s six ultra-luxury ships, will include special shoreside experiences in select Mediterranean, Northern European and Asian destinations.
An enticing line-up of evening shore excursions includes a private viewing of world-class art in the home of a Swedish prince; sunset wine-tasting at a Tuscan villa; and a Michelin star dinner in Athens.
Additional evening shore excursions and multi-night overland tours will be announced soon.
All six itineraries are included in RSSC’s Upgrade Your Horizon offer where guests receive a free two-category suite upgrade and low deposits.
For more information, visit rssc.com
More marketing support for TAs
Award-winning expedition travel company, and newly B-Corp certified Aurora Expeditions is partnering with Approach Guides, the leading content optimisation platform for travel brands, in a move to provide greater marketing support for its travel trade partners globally.
The service is free for all travel advisors and will allow Aurora Expeditions to evolve its trade support offering, from sharing everything from marketing assets such as video, imagery and brochures, to sharing pre-built multimedia ‘content experiences.
“Aurora Expeditions’ new trade marketing solution really is transformational, enabling advisors to spend less time building outbound campaigns and more time growing their businesses,” said Jennifer Raezer, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Approach Guides.
Advisors can access the service with their email address here.
Azamara’s world cruises filling fast
Azamara Onward’s 2024 world cruise – shortly to visit Australasia – proved so popular that Azamara has opened bookings for the boutique ship’s 2025 and 2026 world cruises.
The 155-night voyages will feature even more ports of call, fare inclusions worth up to AU$25,000 and more AzAmazing Celebrations. For new-to-Azamara cruisers, AzAmazing Celebrations are an extension of the line’s exclusive cultural evening events, now taking place during the day, onboard and onshore.
Azamara Onward’s 2025 world cruise starts in San Diego on January 6 and concludes in Southampton on June 11, 2025. Her 2026 world cruise departs Miami on January 6, 2026 and arrives in Barcelona on June 11, 2026. Guests can book the full voyage or any of 10 segments in 2025 and 2026.
For more information, visit azamara.com
Riviera Australia’s new fly/stay/cruise packages
Riviera Australia has launched three new Europe fly-stay-cruise packages that offer great value for guests plus a flat 10 per cent commission on each booking for travel advisors.
Fares for the 21-night Medieval Marvels of Europe package (departures September 2, 2024 to September 2, 2025) start at $10,999 per person; $6,999 for the 12-night Paris and Provence Palette (departures April 4, 2024 to 23 October 23, 2025); and $12,999 for the 19-night Tapestry of Spain and Portugal (date still to be announced).
The UK-based company has a fleet of 12 stylish, contemporary river ships in Europe. Featuring a range of facilities, including a restaurant, bistro and wellness centre, the ships accommodate between 126 and 176 guests.
For more information, travel advisors can email reservations@rivieracruises.com.au and quote RIVIERA. 126.
Rivers of the world
Uniworld’s second epic Rivers of the World journey sets off in the Peruvian Amazon on October 3, 2024 and finishes in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 26, 2024.
Over 55 days, 40 guests will travel through 10 countries in three continents, sail on four magnificent river ships and stay in outstanding hotels in a bucket-list collection of cities.
Highlights include sailing the Peruvian Amazon onboard Aqua Expeditions’ super-luxe Aqua Nera; cruising through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary onboard one of Uniworld’s fleet of Super Ships, SS Beatrice, over 16 days; an eight-day cruise through France’s Burgundy and Provence onboard SS Catherine; and the grande finale, 16 days in Vietnam and Cambodia, including a leisurely cruise onboard the glamorous Mekong Jewel.
There is still space available for the October 2024 departure; meanwhile, Uniworld’s third Rivers of the World adventure is being planned for 2026.
For more information, visit uniworld.com