Just the ticket: Cruising's popularity continues.
Although there are murmurs about the Aussie dollar "going soft" this year, it doesn't seem to be affecting our appetite for travelling overseas – particularly for river cruises in Europe. River cruise companies are launching more ships, moving them around - particularly to in-demand destinations such as Bordeaux in France and Portugal's Douro River – and offering more specialist shore tours than ever before.
So what have the major cruise lines got lined up for 2015? APT is launching two 164-passenger, Concerto class ships, AmaSerena and AmaVista, this (northern) spring; both will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Highlights of APT's river cruises include its Royal Invitation and Signature Experiences: passengers can take the Majestic Imperator train in Austria, meet a princess in her castle in Germany and enjoy a private classical concert in a palace in Vienna.
Avalon Waterways' latest Suite Ships, Avalon Tapestry II and Avalon Tranquility II start operating in March and April; Tapestry II on France's Seine, Rhone and Saone rivers and Tranquility II on the Rhine and Rhone. One of the line's specialties is themed cruises, from beer-tasting to wine appreciation and lots more in between.
Avalon Illumination on the Danube in Hungary.
French line CroisiEurope is launching three ships in April: paddlewheeler MS Loire Princesse, specially designed to cruise the shallow Loire river; MS Camargue, which will sail six and eight-day cruises round-trip from Lyon; and MS Gil Eanes, which will join three other CroisiEurope ships on the Douro.
Scenic Tours is adding two new ships to its Space Ship fleet, bringing the total of vessels it operates to 11. Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper will both sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. New this year are Scenic Sundowners, whereby passengers will enjoy sunsets with an appropriate aperitif in select spots, and an expanded culinary program.
Uniworld's third Super Ship, SS Maria Theresa, launches in Amsterdam in March and will sail a selection of itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube.
The Regal Princess Spa Enclave.
It will be christened by Princess Anita von Hohenberg, a descendant of Empress Maria Theresa, and passengers will be able to visit her Artstetten Castle and Estate in Lower Austria on select itineraries.
Viking River Cruises continues to expand its fleet of Longships, with another 10 taking to the waterways next year; they will bring Viking's total river fleet to an astounding 64 ships. The company is also launching two specialist vessels for the Elbe River, which will sail through eastern Germany; ports of call include Magdeburg, Wittenberg and Dresden.
MEET THE CREW: REGAL PRINCESS CREW MEMBER
Lauren Dipcae.
NAME: Lauren Dipace, from Leeds, England POSITION: Spa Manager, Princess Cruises' Regal Princess
MY JOB: I manage our team of 37 therapists in the spa, plus three fitness trainers, the Medispa doctor and the acupuncturist in the fitness centre. I also manage the revenue side of the business plus the marketing and PR; schedules, inventory, cleaning and overall safety. I've been the spa manager for eight years; I opened the spa on Royal Princess, so coming onboard Regal is like being one of the family.
MY TYPICAL DAY … starts with a team meeting. I go over everything that's on the schedule for the day. We are usually fully booked, plus we run shows for the passengers – ladies' pampering hours when we demonstrate make-up or hairdressing shows. The spa is open from 8am to 10pm. If I'm not there I'm always on call; on port days I try to get outside for a few hours. The receptionists have one of the busiest jobs – answering questions, making bookings and liaising with the passengers.
Sizeable visitor: Carnival Spirit, from the world's largest cruise line is too big to get under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and if tipped on her stern, the 292.6 metre long ship would stretch more than 42 metres above the observation deck of Sydney Tower.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT: When my fiancé Florian proposed to me in the Piazza on New Year's Day! We're getting married in Romania in May 2015. He is a waiter and we've worked together on ships so we know the lifestyle inside out.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS: St Thomas and St Maarten in the Caribbean. I like St Thomas for its "normal" shops – I'm obsessed with supermarkets and stock up on baked beans – and I love the beaches on St Maarten.
TIP FOR PASSENGERS: Book as much as you can in advance (spa treatments, specialty restaurants, shore excursions) – and check out the shows. The production quality is superb.
TIP If you have special dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, salt- or lactose-free, for example), notify the cruise line or travel agent in writing when you book your cruise, then have a chat with the main restaurant manager when you board the ship to ensure they're aware of your needs.
Crystal Cruises 2017 itinerary
Talk about booking ahead! We're only just easing into 2015 and already Crystal Cruises has released its 2017 itineraries. Highlights include 32 maiden calls, more overnight stays in port than ever before and a 99-night Grand Pacific Explorer cruise from Melbourne to Tokyo on board the five-star Crystal Symphony. The ship has had $US65 million spent on refurbishments between 2006 and 2012 and once again is a winner in the latest Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships mid-size ship category. Among the new ports of call will be Maroantsetra, Madagascar; Iquique, Chile; Djupivogur, Iceland; and less visited ports in Corsica, France and Italy. See crystalcruises.com
Psychics Unleashed
Want to know what your future might hold – apart from a fun cruise on board Carnival Spirit? Join four well-known psychics on an eight-day South Pacific cruise, departing Sydney on May 19 and calling at Noumea, the Isle of Pines and Mare. On board to hold readings and workshops will be New Idea's Michael Wheeler; Julie McKenzie, author and contestant on Channel 7's The One; Kelvin Cruickshank from New Zealand TV series Sensing Murder; and "Dreamweaver" Maria Elita. See themecruisesaustralia.com
Cunard 175th Anniversary
This year Cunard is celebrating 175 years since its first ship, Britannia, left Britain for America and there will be special events on board every cruise in 2015. Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will stage a spectacular royal rendezvous on Sydney Harbour on March 12, before QM2 takes off for its second circumnavigation of New Zealand and Queen Victoria heads back to Southampton on its world cruise. All three queens will meet in Southampton on May 3 and there will be more celebrations in Liverpool, the birthplace of the Cunard line, on May 25. See cunard.com
DEALS
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Explore the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands on a new 23-night fly/cruise/stay holiday from Cruise1st, leaving Australia on October 1. The package includes a nine-night cruise of the Greek Islands on Rhapsody of the Seas and a seven-night Mediterranean cruise on Allure of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship. From $4599; phone 1300 857 345, see cruise1st.com.au.
MORE DEALS
TRAVELMARVEL is offering free return flights to Vietnam and Cambodia for cruise holidays of 12 days or longer from June 2015 to April 2016. The 12-day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia cruise starts from $3695 and includes eight days cruising the Mekong on RV La Marguerite. Offer valid to February 28. Phone 1300 196 420, see travelmarvel.com.au.
PRINCESS CRUISES celebrate the line's 50th anniversary with great deals, including a 10-day Sun Princess Queensland cruise visiting Airlie Beach, Yorkey's Knob, Port Douglas and Willis Island. Round-trip Brisbane departs June 10. Fares from $1099; offer valid to February 28. Phone 13 24 88, see princess.com.
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