Beyond Travel's Volga Dream is combining a six-night cruise on Russia's waterways with six nights in five-star hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg.
THE JOYS OF LIFE
Uniworld's new river-cruise ship Joie de Vivre launches on Monday in Paris. The river ship, which will sail Uniworld's eight-day "Paris & Normandy" itinerary, has been built 125 metres long as opposed to the standard 135 metres, allowing it to dock in the heart of Paris. The luxurious 128-passenger vessel features two Royal Suites, eight Junior Suites and 54 staterooms with Uniworld's expected high-end features such as made-to-order Savoir of England beds and marble-lined bathrooms, and is decorated with handcrafted furniture, antiques and art inspired by 20th-century Parisian design.
Phone 1300 780 231. See uniworldcruises.com.au
JOIN THE CLUB
Azamara Club Cruises' swanky, newly renovated ship Azamara Journey was in Sydney again this week as part of its first season in Australia. From Australia, Journey then heads to India and Seychelles via Asia and into Europe through the Suez Canal. The ship's redesign has produced new Spa Suites adjacent to the refreshed Sanctum Spa, each of which has a shower and outdoor soaking tub with ocean views. There's also a new outdoor poolside dining area called The Patio and a casual bar and dining venue, The Living Room.
Phone 1800 754 500. See azamaraclubcruises.com
SHIP TO SHORE
Russian river-cruise passengers have long grumbled about docking locations in Moscow and St Petersburg far beyond the city centre, with coach transfers subject to horrendous traffic. Finally the perfect solution on Beyond Travel's itineraries aboard Volga Dream, which this year combines a six-night cruise on Russia's waterways with six nights in five-star hotels in the two cities, with all the highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg included in the tour package, and the city centres finally at your doorstep. The cruise also visits Uglich, Yaroslavl, Gortzy, Mandrogi and Kizhi Island, famous for its UNESCO-listed wooden churches.
Phone 1300 363 554. See beyondtravel.com.au
CUBAN CRUISING
Demand for cruises to Cuba is soaring, and now Oceania Cruises has announced additional journeys of between six and 13 days to Cuba in November and December this year, departing from Miami on Insignia. The itineraries include the company's maiden calls to Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, in addition to Havana. Among them is a seven-day "Hemingway's Hideaways" itinerary on November 24, 2017, that also visits Key West in Florida, and a 13-day "Holidays in the Tropics" cruise departing December 21, 2017, that calls at Havana for two days on a wider Caribbean itinerary.
Phone 1300 355 200. See oceaniacruises.com
ICE ADVENTURES
Viking Cruise has just launched its two latest river ships, Viking Hild and Viking Herja, in Koblenz in Germany. The two new 190-passenger Longships have seen some redesigns from previous ships, notably by responding to current travel trends for more open spaces and alfresco dining, and by addressing sustainability issues with on-board solar panels, organic herb gardens and energy-efficient hybrid engines. Viking Hild will sail the Rhine River this April on Viking's new "Paris to the Swiss Alps" itinerary. Both ships will this year sail Viking's "Danube Waltz" and "Rhine Getaway" itineraries.
Phone 1800 131 744. See vikingcruises.com.au
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