This was published 6 years ago
The Shipping News: Windstar takes in the old and the new
Windstar has announced five new Asian cruises for late 2018.Credit: Roger Paperno
OLD AND NEW
Windstar Cruises has announced five new Asian cruises in late 2018, among them a quirky Pop Culture Kings of Asia itinerary between Tokyo and Beijing that explores contemporary culture in Japan, Korea and China, yet also visits 17 World Heritage sites. The 11-day cruise allows passengers to visit Seoul's largest underground mall and meditate in a bamboo forest in Kyoto, sample savoury okonomiyaki pancakes and J-pop in Japan, and visit Mt Hallasan volcano and world's longest lava tunnels. The cruise is among two dozen other Windstar itineraries in Asia between September and November 2018.
Phone 1300 749 875. See windstar.com.au
Rio de Janeiro with Viking Cruises.Credit: Shutterstock
WORLD TOUR
Viking Cruises has announced that Viking Sun will sail the company's second world cruise, departing on January 3, 2019, and spanning 128 days, five continents, 21 countries and 44 ports, with 10 port overnights. The itinerary between Miami and London takes in South America and the islands of the South Pacific, calls at ports in Africa from Cape Town to Dakar, and cruises the Strait of Magellan, Tasman Sea and Indian Ocean. As with all Viking itineraries, there are complimentary shore excursions in each of the 44 ports. World Cruise guests also receive business-class airfares.
Phone 138 747. See vikingcruises.com.au
Murray Princess sailing on the Murray River.
THE NEXT QUEEN
Cunard recently announced that it will be adding a fourth, as yet unnamed, ship to its fleet, set to be launched in 2022. When it joins Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, it will be the first time since 1998 that the company has had four ships in simultaneous operation. Cunard is coy about details so far, but says the new ship will carry 3000 passengers, with 113,000 gross registered tonnage. It will be the company's first new launch since Queen Elizabeth entered service in 2010.
Phone 13 24 41. See cunard.com
Dream Cruises's current ship Genting Dream
LET US REJOICE
South Australian paddle-wheeler Murray Princess is offering a three-night Australia Day cruise departing Mannum on January 26, 2018, that will celebrate with games such as two-up, Aussie quizzes and bingo. Passengers can also play bocce on the riverbank and fish off the side of the ship. The cruise visits historic Murray Bridge, Monarto Zoo and Salt Bush Flat for a guided nature walk, and can be extended to a seven-night itinerary that also calls at Burk Salter Winery, Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Conservation Reserve, the Swan Reach Museum and Sunnydale Woolshed for a sheep-shearing show.
Phone 1300 729 938. See murrayprincess.com.au
DREAM ON
Asia-based Dream Cruises is adding a second ship to its line in November with the launch of the 18-deck, 3400-passenger World Dream. The ship will homeport in Hong Kong and offer a series of five-night itineraries to Manila and Boracay in the Philippines, as well as five-night cruises to Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in Vietnam. Sister ship Genting Dream will be deployed to new homeport Singapore with new itineraries to Bali and Surabaya in Indonesia, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia and Phuket in Thailand.
Phone 1300 658 666. See dreamcruiseline.com
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