Aboard the Queen Returns! Edge Dream Cruises in Australia Luxury and Innovation at Sea Mekong River Cruising 2019 Autumn Issue Welcome to Cruising
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FREE PHIL HOFFMANN TRAVEL AUTUMN 19 european river cruise cruising alaska Explore one of the most popular European River Cruise Discover why cruising through Alaska is one of the itinerary’s, the journey from Budapest to Amsterdam most awe-inspiring ways to witness its majesty. celebrity aboard The Queen returns! edge Dream Cruises in Australia luxury and innovation at sea Mekong River Cruising 2019 Autumn Issue Welcome to Cruising bigger, better cruising in '19 One of our favourite traditions for the first edition of the year is to preview new cruise ships that have just launched or are about to be launched. My staff love researching them, cruising on them, writing about them and inspecting them so we can give you our honest feedback. Recent debuts include Holland America Line’s sophisticated Nieuw Statendam, the groundbreaking Celebrity Edge and Royal Caribbean’s larger than life Symphony of the Seas - with sister ship, Spectrum of the Seas to launch in April this year. New ships in 2019 will make this the biggest year in the history of the cruise industry. the queen returns! The Class of 2019 will feature 24 new ships with an average weight of 68,000 tons, Luxury cruise line Cunard has announced that its second largest representing a collective build cost of just under USD$10 billion! ship, Queen Elizabeth will return to Australia for an unparalleled 118 days from November – February 2020-21, fully embracing Australia's Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Flora, with a capacity of 100 guests, makes its debut in May summer season. 2019, specifically designed to bring guests closer to the Galapagos Islands than ever before. Princess Cruises 18th ship scheduled for launch in October 2019, Sky Princess, will boast The season will also feature visits from flagship Queen Mary 2 and Sky Suites which can accommodate up to 5 passengers, offering 270-degree views from sister ship Queen Victoria during their world voyages, with the royal the top of the ship and the largest balconies at sea. trio spending a record 49 days in Australian ports between them. Coral Expeditions will unveil its 120-passenger expedition ship, Coral Adventurer in Queen Elizabeth's four-month stay in Australia will include more than May 2019, changing the face of cruising in northwest Australia and Papua New Guinea. 60 itinerary options as she sails from her homeports of Melbourne French line Ponant will double its explorer fleet this year with the addition of Le Bougainville and Sydney. Voyages will range from two-night sojourns between and Le Dumont-D’urville. Both ships will feature a “Blue Eye lounge” – a multi-sensory space Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide to longer journeys around located in the hull below the waterline, where you can peer into the depths of the ocean Australia and New Zealand. through two whale eye-shaped portholes. Other highlights include a Royal Rendezvous with Queen Victoria in This is just a snapshot of what’s to come in 2019. We look forward to introducing you to Sydney on March 1, 2021 – marking the first time the two ships have more throughout the year. Happy cruising. met in Australia. Phil Hoffmann AM phil's review of celebrity edge Phil Hoffmann and Bianca Hoffmann were fortunate enough to join Celebrity Cruises newest ship, Celebrity Edge in December. At a build cost of over $1 billion, Celebrity Edge is the first of four sister ships launching between now and 2022. Read on as Phil tells you what you can expect. Celebrity Edge changes everything. The way you experience the world, the way you connect with the ocean, the way you play, dine and unwind at sea. Revolutionary on every level, she’s the ship that’s setting a new standard of luxury and innovation at sea. From the moment you step onboard Celebrity Edge, you can see the visionary approach. From the incredible Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 storeys above sea level – to the private plunge pools in the Edge Villas. Discover the Infinite Veranda, where at the touch a button your entire living space becomes the balcony letting you walk right out to the water’s edge. They have 178 converting stateroom options – meaning you can connect different categories of rooms for a whole new share space. On board you’ll find four complimentary dining rooms and several specialty dining venues. Most notable was Le Petit Chef – one of the most unique and unmissable dining experiences at sea, where custom 3D table animation art brings your plates to life right in front of you. The pinnacle for me was the mind-blowing transformative venue Eden, with three levels of floor to ceiling views blending nature with design, and culinary with performance art. 7 night Spain, France & Italy cruise aboard Celebrity Edge from $1,889* pp twin share. 2 PHIL HOFFMANN TRAVEL AUTUMN 2019 2019 Autumn Issue What's New dream cruises coming to australia Dream Cruises aims to redefine cruising with inspirational luxury and transformational journeys at sea. Soon Australian and New Zealand cruisers can experience their own “dream cruise”, when Explorer Dream arrives in local waters from October 2019. Prior to deployment, Explorer Dream will Staterooms will be rejuvenated with sophisticated sleep wrapped in the comfort and luxury of the make her way from Shanghai to Sydney. The contemporary décor and eye-catching artwork. ‘dream beds’, thanks to a unique combination 21-night relocation voyage will commence on of high-quality mattresses, silky smooth sheets, Guests will embark on a journey featuring some of 6 October 2019, cruising via nine ports – Hong bouncy duvets and a mountain of pillows. Kong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, the finest and most unexpected experiences from around the world. Dance under the stars, enjoy Jakarta, Bali, Darwin, Cairns and Gladstone. For guests looking for a little more exclusivity, Broadway-style production shows, or indulge in The Palace is an area composed of two Guests onboard will be among the first to some exclusive pampering at Crystal Life spa. Palace Villas and 44 spacious and elegantly experience the newest member of the Dream furnished Suites. Unwind with private facilities, Foodies will be well-catered for with Dream Cruises fleet following a US$50 million investment exclusive privileges and the finest hospitality. Cruises’ range of bar and dining concepts by Genting Cruise Lines to transform the much- on board, including Umi Uma sushi and loved Superstar Virgo into Explorer Dream. Explorer Dream will embark on a series of teppanyaki restaurant, Palm Court, Mozzarella 7-night cruises with the option to sail north The 75,338-tonne luxury ship will have Ristorante & Pizzeria plus a gelateria and from Sydney along the stunning coast of “cake corner” for those with a sweet tooth. capacity to carry 1,852 passengers in a Queensland, or journey south to Tasmania’s total of 926 staterooms. There will be 7 Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner unique rugged landscapes. Alternatively, cabin categories ranging from affordable under the stars at Seafood Grill, the guests can set sail from Auckland and Interior Staterooms through to the decadent signature restaurant of internationally- navigate the scenic shores of New Zealand. Palace Villas. For those seeking something acclaimed Australian chef, Mark Best. in between, Balcony Staterooms will appeal, Dream Cruises is perfectly-suited for the as will the fifty luxurious Palace Suites which Catering to families and multi- tranquil Australian lifestyle, combining authentic come with exclusive benefits such as wi-fi, generational cruisers, there will be a Asian heritage with world-class offerings to premium beverage package, specialty dining kids’ club for “Little Dreamers”. those who enjoy a relaxed ambience and and bespoke 24-hour butler service. an appreciation for the finer things in life. You’ll also find plenty of space for some much- The former Superstar Virgo will retain her luxe needed relaxation. The range of staterooms 7 night Queensland Coast Cruise charm, paired with newly enhanced opulent offer a haven of calm; balancing modern aboard Explorer Dream starts interiors and a grand piazza-style lobby. convenience with total tranquillity. Drift off to from $1,059* pp twin share. Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps follow us 3 river cruise journey from Budapest to Amsterdam A river cruise is one of the most Hofburg Imperial Palace, home to the Hapsburg dynasty for over six centuries or tick another country relaxing ways to experience off your list with a visit to Bratislava in Slovakia. Europe as you unpack once, Dürnstein A small picturesque town on the and meander along picturesque Danube River in Austria, Dürnstein is a well-known waterways from cosmopolitan wine growing area and one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the region. Meaning ‘dry castle’ in city to delightful town to charming little village, all from the comfort of your luxurious floating hotel. With not a care in the world, all your needs are taken care of onboard, while off the ship, there’s plenty of time for exploration and discovery as you wake up in a new destination every morning. One of the most popular European River Cruise itinerary’s is the journey from Budapest to Amsterdam. Here we introduce you to the major destinations Budapest Separated by the Danube River with Buda visited on this scenic and relaxing cruise. on the western side of the city and Pest on the east, Budapest is also known as the “Pearl of the Danube”. Considered one of the prettiest capital cities in the world with its grand buildings, peaceful parks, soaring church spires and mighty river, Budapest glitters at night.