Edition 3 CRUISE GUIDE C RUISE GUIDE WELCOME CONTE NTS Cruising is now more popular than ever. SO MANY GREAT REASONS The bene!ts of cruising are becoming TO CRUISE 2 Choose your ship 4 more well known, and the industry is Cabin selection 6 the fastest growing holiday segment in Cruise Q&As 7 the world. This growth means more Top 5 cruise destinations 8 Up and coming destinations 9 choice … and more possibilities. World map 10 Cruising has developed from being the sole province of the O CEAN CRUISING 12 rich in the 1920s, to now being a viable, desirable and accessible Azamara Club Cruises 14 holiday option for everyone from families to singles. The di#erent Carnival Cruise Lines Australia 16 cruise styles, companies, itineraries and destinations now on o#er are enormous. That’s where this guide can help. Carnival Cruise Lines International 18 Celebrity Cruises 20 Compare di#erent cruise lines and ships on a like-for-like basis, Classic International Cruises 22 to make comparisons easier and see the di#erences in what they Costa Cruises 24 o#er more readily. This will make your cruise holiday decision Cunard 26 a more simple one. Holland America Line 28 The guide also examines the di#erences between ocean cruising, MSC Cruises 30 river cruising, adventure or small ship cruising and also luxury Norwegian Cruise Lines 32 cruising. It o#ers maps so you can see at a glance which routes Oceania Cruises 34 can be accessed from which ports. All of which is designed P&O Cruises 36 to make your decision-making process more straightforward. P&O Cruises World Cruising 38 If you still can’t decide, our hand-picked, expert consultants are Princess Cruises 40 dedicated to providing you with exceptional service and advice. Royal Caribbean International 42 With their extensive cruise knowledge and passion for travel, Star Cruises 44 you can feel con!dent your dream-come-true holiday will become a magical reality minus the stress. A DV E N T U R E & SMALL SHIP CRUISING 46 So, what are you waiting for? Take a look through this guide and start planning your next cruise holiday today. Blue Lagoon Cruises 48 Captain Cook Cruises 50 Bon voyage and happy cruising! Compagnie du Ponant 52 Hurtigruten Coastal Voyages 54 Orion Expedition Cruises 56 Peregrine Adventures 58 Swan Hellenic Cruises 60 Voyages of Discovery Cruises 62 R IVER CRUISING 64 APT River Cruises 66 Tauck River Cruising 68 Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 70 Viking River Cruises 72 L UXURY CRUISING 74 Crystal Cruises 76 Regent Seven Seas Cruises 78 Seabourn 80 CONTENTS S O MANY GREAT REAS O NS T O CRUISE More Australians than ever before are enjoying the fabulous bene!ts of cruising. There are lots of reasons why. With a choice of more than 180 distinctive ships both small and large, around 2000 ports of call around the world, there is the perfect cruise for everyone. On a cruise you can see the world, completely unwind, It’s a good idea to start planning your shore excursion experience new cultures, dance the night away, feast on choices early. Some cruise lines will even allow you to book fabulous cuisine, learn new skills, make new friends and in advance of your cruise, either online or with your travel bond with your family. The possibilities are endless. consultant. You will usually receive a program of your ship’s shore excursion options with your cruise documents once Value for money you have booked and paid for your holiday. If you do not pre-book, it is best to book your excursions as soon as you Your cruise price includes your accommodation, dining, board the ship. entertainment and more, making cruising an easy holiday to budget for. Cuisine It’s hard to !nd a comparable land holiday to compete. A holiday wouldn’t be a holiday without enjoying great food, wine and service. Unpack only once From !ve-course meals in the main dining room to Wake up to a di"erent sight, and port, nearly every day. poolside barbecues and pizzerias, your tastebuds are No other kind of holiday allows travellers to visit di"erent certainly in for a treat on a cruise. Try new foods with countries with the convenience of only unpacking once. a di"erent menu choice every night. Most ships have Once on board your ship, you really have arrived at your self-service bu"ets available for breakfast, lunch and home away from home. No need to live out of a suitcase sometimes dinner. These are a quick, convenient or be hopping on and o" buses and planes. and relaxed way to dine. Culture and excursions For those who enjoy dressing up every now and then, formal nights are usually o"ered. Men will be required to One of the most exciting aspects of a cruising holiday wear a dark suit and tie, or perhaps even a dinner jacket, is the variety of fascinating ports you can visit on any while ladies can dress up in a cocktail dress or evening one journey. gown. Some ships also have semi-formal nights. Alternate You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself for dining options will be available for those who would prefer a short time in a completely di"erent culture to your own. a more casual dining experience. Get set to learn, absorb and explore the world around you. In addition to the vast array of dining options included in Some of the smaller port stops are relatively easy to your cruise fare, many ships o"er ‘specialty’ restaurants, explore independently; however, one of the greatest where for a nominal fee, you can dine on world-class ways to experience the very best of your ports of call international cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, French, is to participate in your cruise ship’s shore excursions. Mexican or Chinese. Bookings can be made once on board or pre-booked online, depending on the cruise line. Designed to cover a range of tastes, shore excursions arranged by your cruise ship can include anything from A room service menu, which is more often than not cultural walking tours, cooking schools and shopping accompanied by convenient 24 hour service and is tours to adventures, such as helicopter rides, mountain often complimentary, is available on most ships. biking, canoeing, white-water rafting and wildlife treks. 2 Cruising the Adriatic Sea Ship activities and facilities Relaxation Simplicity and satisfaction There is no need to have any concerns With all the options for action, Whether you are cruising for three about !lling your days at sea, as the fun, exercise and education available days or 30 days, and whilst you will options are endless. on many cruise ships, you’ll probably visit a variety of ports, you only have need to pencil in some time for rest to check in once and you are in same You’ll usually !nd activities such as and relaxation. cabin for your entire holiday. With swimming, exercise classes, computer meals and entertainment included in training, art auctions, photography Many cruise ships now feature world- your cruise fare, other incidentals such classes, dance lessons, shu"eboard, class day spas, and a visit to the day spa as drinks and onboard shopping, can deck quoits, basketball and tennis, can be a wonderfully rejuvenating part be charged to your personal cabin to name a few. of your cruise holiday. Most onboard account. It allows you the convenience spas o$er a tour where they showcase You could attend lectures on the of not having to exchange cash or use their facilities and explain the variety your credit card. Unlike some travel culture, history, #ora and fauna of of treatments available. This is a great the region you’re cruising in, or perhaps you may undertake, you won’t come way to assist you in deciding what you back from your holiday needing a even learn some tips on cooking the would like to try. We all love to be regional fare. If games of bingo, trivia holiday – it’s a fact that cruises have pampered, and there is a spa treatment higher levels of satisfaction than any quizzes, crafts and board games or therapy to suit everyone. are more your speed, you’re also other holiday. catered for. Family time For night owls, every night on a cruise Cruising is an ideal holiday choice ‘Wake up to a ship is an entertainment spectacular. for both children and parents, and Consider your ship as a #oating capital most cruise lines o$er a vast range di$erent sight, city, with nightclubs, movies, live music, of supervised children’s activities. themed parties, magic, comedy, cabaret, The children are well looked after and port, nearly Broadway and West End-style shows and with dedicated, age appropriate child casinos to keep everyone entertained. and teen facilities o$ering hangouts every day’. and activities geared to the younger On larger ocean-going cruises, facilities set, allowing adults time to relax on board the ship may include anything and enjoy a real holiday. from day spas, gyms and saunas to wave pools, cinemas, ice-skating rinks, Romance mini-golf courses, ten-pin bowling alleys and rock-climbing walls. Cruise ships provide the perfect setting for midnight walks under the stars, exotic ports, spa services and intimate dinner arrangements. 3 CHOOSE YO UR SHIP With the outstanding choice of cruises, ships and itineraries available for every budget, a cruise represents almost unlimited travel experiences. With choices ranging from intimate yacht-like vessels Selecting the cruise line that best matches your personality with as few as 50 passengers, to massive mega ships is crucial, as it may vary your experience.