Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' two luxury ships emerges from dry dock after makeover

PLOTTING A COURSE

A reminder that we are now halfway through Plan a Cruise Month, organised annually by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to help travel agencies and its member cruise lines showcase their cruise offerings. There's still time to get down to a specialist travel agency in your neighbourhood, where staff can help you navigate through the unprecedented number of choices in local cruising – or perhaps book an international cruise for next year. A record nearly 50 ships will sail our waters between now and April 2018, making more than 1000 ports of call. Choices, choices.

See cruising.org.au

DOUBLE VISION

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' two luxury ships have just emerged from a facelift, with Europa 2 sailing from dry dock in Hamburg on September 27 and Europa back in the water only yesterday. The ships have undergone technical upgrades and extensive renovations and enhancements. Europa has a new spa area and 36 of its suites have been fitted with new bathrooms, while Europa 2 has a new-look gin bar called Collins, a renamed Jazz Club (now Club 2) and a complete makeover of its Belvedere on deck nine, which has been transformed into a lounge, library and coffee bar.

Phone 02 9977 7100. See hl-cruises.com

ASIAN ADDITIONS

Windstar Cruises has five new Asian cruises between September and November 2018 in addition to its current Asian offerings of 18 itineraries. Among them is a Singapore & Siam Holiday with visits to Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia and Ko Yao Noi and Phuket in Thailand, and a Taste of Siam & Singapore cruise over New Year that visits Ko Phi Phi, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka. There's also a 10-day Grand Japan timed for the spectacular autumn season, and an 11-day Comprehensive China Exploration featuring overnights in Shanghai, Taipei, and Hong Kong.