Medium Ship Line #: Oceania Cruises
Its all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jaques Pepin, a six-course Dom Perignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. Two new 1,200-passenger ships are on the way for Oceania, set for delivery in 2022 and 2025.
Helpful Tips Before You Go
As you prepare for your Australia & New Zealand cruise, theres a lot to think about, especially if youve never been here before. Create a checklist of key items you need to bring. This will help you have wonderful experiences everywhere you go, whether youre visiting historical sites, absorbing the local vibe, enjoying regional cuisine, or marveling at natural wonders you wont see anywhere else in the world.
- Book Flights by Celebrity® to be protected in case there is any cancellation.
- Research the shore excursions and book them in advance, pre-cruise. The popular shore excursions get sold out fast.
- All United States citizens will need to obtain a visa to visit Australia. This will need to be done in advance of your trip as it will be required for entry into the country.
- Remember to pack sunscreen, bathing suit, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
- Turn on your international cellular service plan.
- Have your documents protected and photocopied.
Carnival Cruise Line Calls Aussie Stars To Light Up The Stage At Sea
Carnival announces once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in Sydney and Brisbane talent quest to join global fleet:
About Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise line in the world with more than four and a half million guests travelling every year. The cruise line has two ships deployed in Australia, Carnival Spirit the largest and newest cruise ship to be based in Sydney year-round and sister ship Carnival Legend, sailing from Sydney each summer. With 45 activities to enjoy each day, both ships offer fun-loving families and couples memorable and great value holidays.
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River Ship Line #: Tauck
Taucks nine river ships specialize in navigating Northern Europe, with itineraries that highlight the castles of Germanys Rhine River or explore Paris and Monets gardens at Giverny on a Seine cruise. Special departures throughout the year welcome multigenerational family groups, including young childrena unique offering among river cruise lines.
Tips To Help You Plan Your Cruise Down Under
By Heidi Sarna
Cruises between Australia and New Zealand are all the rage. Well, it’s all relative: In these parts there’s rarely more than one cruise ship in port at a time — thank god — but still, business is booming with both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean recently announcing they’ll position a ship down under next season sometime between late 2007 and March 2008. They join Holland America, Princess and Silversea who are already there this season.
There are few places in the world where the natural beauty is as stunning as New Zealand’s, though Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Norwegian fjords are usually mentioned in the same sentence as the fjords of New Zealand’s south island. The landscape varies from dense forests to rolling farmland. Brooding windswept clouds cast their shadows across hilly green carpets of sheep and cattle pastures. Seals laze on rocky peninsulas that jut into the frothy sea, vineyards stretch for miles, and the white capped peaks of the Southern Alps poke up through the horizon. It seems every road is a scenic drive. The towns are cute, the people are friendly, and who isn’t charmed by that streak of Kiwi wackiness — zorbing anyone?
What to Know Before You Go
1. Itineraries are typically about two weeks long and sail between Sydney and Auckland, somewhere between November and April .
8. Driving is on the left in both countries if you’re considering renting a car in port . Roads are generally well sign posted and in good condition.
Cunard
INTRAV
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Medium Ship Line #: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
As far as all-inclusive cruises go, Regent Seven Seas is the real deal. Everything from specialty excursions to meals and alcohol to airfare is included in the rates. Even the mini-bar is free! The only things youll have to pay for are spa treatments, laundry, and the casino. The cruise lines five ships each carry 750 passengers or fewer, but the ships are actually quite large, offering each guest plenty of personal space, especially in their cabins. Regent Seven Seas specializes in round-the-world itineraries.
From Fort Lauderdale Florida
Holland America Line operates two cruises from Fort Lauderdale the 37-day Grand World Voyage and 42-day Grand World Voyage, both ending in Sydney. Each cruise heads south from Florida through the Caribbean, traverses the Panama Canal and calls at ports in the South Pacific, including Tahiti and Bora Bora. New Zealand stops include Auckland and Tauranga. The longer cruise adds a journey down the coast of South America, stopping at ports in Peru and Chile before heading west via Easter Island and Pitcairn Island. Cunard also sails from Fort Lauderdale to Sydney with a 37-night Panama Canal and New Zealand voyage on the Queen Victoria. After passing through the Panama Canal, it heads north to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, then to San Francisco, before following a southwest course through the Hawaiian islands to Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand.
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Winner: Regent Seven Seas
White-gloved butlers and impeccable hospitality have put luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises in top spot for best service for the second year in a row. While every cruise line offers fantastic hospitality, Regent goes above and beyond with its luxury offerings.
With each suite comes a personal butler who will cater to your every whim, restock the mini-bar with premium wines and liquor of your choice, unpack and launder your clothes, shine your shoes and ensure your freshly made up room is waiting for you when you return from your day exploring in port.
Staff also shine in public areas. In the dining room, the maître d, the sommelier and the wait staff make each dining experience feel like guests are in a Michelin-starred restaurant. And should you desire anything thats not on the menu, the staff will cater to the best of their ability.
Small Ship Line #: Paul Gauguin Cruises
The single ship Paul Gauguin focuses solely on the Pacific, treating its 332 guests to picture-perfect beaches and dramatic scenery in Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Fiji year-round. On Mota Mahana, the lines private island in French Polynesia, passengers sip cocktails from the floating bar, or paddle out over coral reefs on kayaks and paddleboardsstraight from the ships water sports marina. For those wanting to get under the waves, an onboard PADI scuba program certifies divers in some of the clearest waters on the planet. Best of all? The ships rates are all-inclusive. In 2019, Ponant acquired the cruise line.
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Royal Caribbean Updates Australian Summer Season To Domestic
As international travel restrictions remain in place, Royal Caribbean is hopeful that a pathway will soon be established to resume cruising locally
Ovation of the Seas
SYDNEY, Aug. 4, 2021* Royal Caribbean International today announced a new season of Australian domestic sailings on board returning favourite Ovation of the Seas.Ovation will sail from Sydney 13 Dec. 2021 through 31 March 2022, offering a mix of 2- to 10-night domestic sailings that visit some of the countrys most famous cities and regions.
We continue to encourage and assist federal and state governments to establish a clear pathway for the return of cruising, and hope that by December we will have guests holidaying with us once again. While Sydney manages its ongoing lockdown, several factors make us hopeful that domestic cruising will return this summer, from rapid advances in COVID-19 research, technology and an emphasis on swift vaccine distribution, says Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International.
In lieu of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the opening of international borders and to ensure guests have peace of mind surrounding their holiday plans, Royal Caribbean has made the decision to cancel the following sailings:
Looking Ahead in Australia
A Successful Global Return to Sailing
*Updates to health and safety measures are available at
Highly Commended: Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises has pledged to work towards a more sustainable future. In 2018, the Scandinavian line announced that it would build two more ships at Vard Holdings Limited, which is known for constructing the worlds most environmentally friendly ships. Its focus on natural environments at destinations with education and thoughtful excursions is another plus.
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Medium Ship Line #: Azamara
Though Azamaras three 700-passenger ships are lovely, with top-quality dining and plenty of on-board activities to fill days at sea, passengers choose this cruise line for the experience at its destinations, which span all seven continents. Azamara not only offers personalized shore excursions , they also do a number of overnights, allowing guests to explore more destinations farther inland. The overnights also allow passengers to experience an evening out on the town in port cities, if they so choose.
Winner: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
This is the line that set a new standard in luxury cruising: perfection. Now, for the first time, ultra-luxury brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises has snared the gong for the most prestigious and coveted award in the luxury sector.
What sets the line apart is its highly personalised service and attention to detail in everything from its cuisine, suites, amenities and range of activities onboard to the immersive destination experiences on shore.
You will dine well on RSSC ships, at the main dining room Compass Rose or at chic French restaurant Chartreuse. After dinner, head for the Constellation Theatre to be mesmerised by lavish stage productions or meander to the Connoisseur Club for another Regent tradition cognac and a cigar.
RSSC has 148 new voyages, including world cruises, in 2022 and 2023, with 17 maiden calls at ports across Arabia, Asia, North America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
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Large Ship Line #: Norwegian Cruise Line
Things escalated quickly for Norwegian: the cruise line jumped from medium-size ships to mega-ships practically overnight , with just three ships in its current fleet sized somewhere in between. But thats soon about to change. Norwegian currently has six ships on order as part of Project Leonardo, each of which will hold about 3,300 passengers. Its interesting to see a cruise line scale back from its mega-ships and opt for a more manageable size for such a large order. Details about the new ships are scarce, though the first is expected to launch in 2022.
A Touch Of 007 Down Under
Another room with a view: left-hand seating aboard the Neptune submarine.
The ultra-luxury, 228-guest expedition ship Scenic Eclipse makes its debut in Australian waters this year. The sleek vessel, more huge yacht than ship, was launched only in 2018. Its sophistication, submarines and helicopter bring a James Bond vibe to our remote, rust-red north-west.
Highlights of the 11-day Broome-to-Darwin voyage include the Horizontal Falls, bird-rich Lacepede Islands, the towering gorges of King George River and Montgomery Reef, where falling tides create astonishing mid-ocean waterfalls.
The trip Scenics Uncovering the Kimberley Coastline cruise departs July 19 and August 8, 2021. From $19,690 per person. See scenic.com.au or call 1300 861 432.
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Why Cruise To Australia
A top bucket-list destination for many travelers, Australia offers some of the world’s most enticing attractions — from the largest coral reef in the world to snuggly looking koalas, and from vast deserts to some of the best surf beaches on the planet.
Most of Australia’s major cities are along its coastline, making a cruise the best way to visit the country, especially if you can hop on a circumnavigation cruise that circles the entire continent.
And, considering the time it takes to drive or train between Australia’s cities or the cost of flying from city to city, a cruise is also the most economical way to see the country.
Small Ship Line #1: American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines has the unique distinction of operating not only old-school paddlewheelers in the United States, but also contemporary river ships. And they dont just sail on the Mississippiyou can also explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest, too. Beyond that, the 13-strong fleet also has oceangoing vessels that explore the coasts surrounding the entire country, from New England to Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico.
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What Are Tips To Find Cruise Deals To Australia
Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to Australia. If you book a guaranteed cabin , a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to Australia. Last minute cruises deals to Australia appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually 1-2 weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to Australia in the shoulder season can also be a great way to find a cruise deal.
Small Ship Line : Quasar Expeditions
The first luxury line to sail the Galápagos, Quasar Expeditions is best known for its in-depth trips aboard its two intimate ships that carry fewer than 32 passengers each. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One of the two, the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. The other, the Evolution, will allow you to retrace Darwin’s footsteps in the Galápagos. Book the Baltra Island itinerary, where you’ll work your way from San Cristobal Island to Baltra, and explore all the central and southern islands of the archipelago in between.
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River Ship Line #: Viking River Cruises
Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Under Viking River Cruises, the company’s riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, and the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its Culture Curriculum offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.
Australia & New Zealand Cruises
To say that Australia and New Zealand are a region of extremes is no understatement. Silent fjords and thundering waterfalls. Sandy shores and abundant wildlife. The oldest indigenous lands in the world, with some of the youngest cities.Silverseas fleet of small, ultra-luxury cruise ships offers extensive coverage of the entire region. Sailing to 150 destinations, our all-inclusive fleet is as comfortable in the salty waters of The Kimberley as berthed next to the Sydney Opera House. And with both Expedition and Ocean-faring ships sailing the region, whether you want in-depth discovery or leisurely exploration, we guarantee we have an itinerary to suit.Whats more, our crew to guest ratio of almost 1:1 is one of the highest in the industry. Add bespoke mid-land adventures, a wide variety of shore excursions and an authentic ultra-luxury small ship experience and we think youll agree: our Australia and New Zealand cruises really do take you closer to the authentic beauty of the world.
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Highly Commended: Holland America Line
A newcomer to the category, premium Holland America Line gets a nod for the luxurious pampering services it offers. Its Greenhouse Spa & Salon has exotic pampering skin, body and hair treatments on its menu. On certain Holland America Line ships, youll find spa suites and staterooms located in quiet enclave of the ship so guests can spend their voyage relaxing.
Small Ship Line #1: Hapag
German company Hapag-Lloyd is not just in the shipping business: its building a luxury expedition cruise empire, too. Though it currently only has two ships in its fleet, the MS Europa and MS Europa 2, the line has impressed its customers with suite-style cabins, impressive itineraries across all seven continents, and extremely polished service thats anything but stuffy. Hapag-Lloyds budding empire will expand with three new expedition ships scheduled to launch in 2021.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Princess Cruises
Of Princess Cruises 17-ship fleet, its five smallest include the Coral Princess, Island Princess, Sun Princess, Sea Princess, and the infamous Pacific Princess, which was the star of the TV show The Love Boat. The Pacific Princess is by far the smallest, holding just 680 passengers. The four other ships carry around 2,000 passengers and are the perfect size to sail through the Panama Canal.
Small Ship Line #1: Quark Expeditions
If youre after white sand and turquoise waters, Quark Expeditions isnt for you. This line specializes in polar expeditions: each of its six ships is an icebreaker or an ice-strengthened vessel capable of bringing guests to the farthest reaches of the northern and southern seas. While youre guaranteed to explore some incredible rugged terrain, you might also sail in a pretty rugged shipthe two icebreakers, in particular, are nothing to write home about in terms of luxurious decor. But the access they provide to the polar regions is unparalleled and well worth the authentic expedition experience. The swanky new Ultramarine, however, is another story entirely.
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