CRUISE NEWS
GIRT BY SEA Explore Australia’s diverse coastline on a 40-night circumnavigation designed by cruise specialist Cruiseco and the French line Ponant on L’Austral. The cruise departs Sydney in January 2018 and takes in destinations as far-flung as Cape York and Kangaroo Island, Freycinet Peninsula and Ningaloo Reef, the Twelve Apostles and Lizard Island. cruising.com.au
CUBAN RUSH Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Oceania Cruises are the latest lines to plan cruises to Cuba this year, following plans announced by Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas and Ponant. Oceania Cruises’ Marina departs Miami for Havana this month, while RCI’s Empress of the Seas heads to the Cuban capital from Miami and Tampa from April. Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises have plans to follow soon.
HISTORY AT SEA Princess Cruises’ five Australia-based ships are hosting an exhibition titled Defining Moments in Australian History. Created in collaboration with Canberra’s National Museum of Australia, it highlights 100 key moments in the nation’s history with photos and artefacts dating back to the 18th century. Guests are encouraged to suggest their own defining moments, which will feature in the ships’ atria until 2021. princess.com
SOUTHERN GEM Norwegian Jewel has started preparations for her Australian début in November. The 2376passenger ship, part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, has eight restaurants, a theatre, volleyball courts and the line’s Mandara Spa. After arrival in Sydney on 12 November, the Jewel will visit ports in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. ncl.com
PLONK RIGHT HERE Want to improve your wine knowledge? Cunard’s reputation for serious cellars and tastings via its wine academy has been extended by offering education programs for guests that are certified by the British-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust. The program was launched on the Queen Mary 2 late last year and will extend to sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth later this year. cunard.com
STAR ATTRACTIONS Celebrity Cruises has unveiled new destinations, home ports and itineraries for 2018-19. Highlights include Scandinavian tours from Celebrity Silhouette’s new Southampton home port, Celebrity Eclipse’s mini Irish season (she’ll be the first ship from a major cruise line to be based in Dublin) and cruises to major world events: to Russia for the FIFA World Cup, the French and British tennis opens, and to Cannes for its annual film festival. celebritycruises.com.au