Cruise news: The largest cruise sale in the world is on now

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This was published 6 years ago

Cruise news: The largest cruise sale in the world is on now

By Sally Macmillan
Plan a Cruise Month_Princess Cruises Aerial Shot of Couple On Deck with the Ocean str14-cruisedirector

Plan a Cruise Month_Princess Cruises Aerial Shot of Couple On Deck with the Ocean str14-cruisedirectorCredit: Mark Katzman

There are two weeks left to make the most of Plan a Cruise Month – the best time to find out about the latest ships and itineraries and bag a bargain. Now in its second year, the global industry-wide promotion is the largest cruise sale in the world with local and international cruise lines offering a range of deals and discounts.

It is run by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), an organisation composed of more than 60 of the world's major cruise lines. Travel agents who belong to CLIA take training courses to become accredited members at three different levels, and they are the people to talk to when you're planning a cruise – whether it's your first or 21st.

Joel Katz, managing director of CLIA Australasia and Asia, said, "During Plan a Cruise Month, CLIA bands together with its member cruise lines and accredited agents to raise awareness of cruising and it's also the perfect time to plan next year's holiday.

Pacific Explorer. P&O has partnered with Tennis Australia and two ships will be running Australian Open Cruises to the event in January.

Pacific Explorer. P&O has partnered with Tennis Australia and two ships will be running Australian Open Cruises to the event in January.

"With nearly 1.3 million Australians taking a cruise each year, there are more and more holidaymakers discovering how fun and relaxing a holiday at sea is. It's hard to beat the value of a cruising holiday with accommodation, transport, main meals and a range of onboard activities and entertainment included in the fare but during October, the value is even more irresistible."

From cabin upgrades to passenger or cabin savings, examples of special cruise deals this month include:

Royal Caribbean: up to 40 per cent savings on a range of cruises, and third and fourth guests travel from $69 a day.

Celebrity Cruises: US$300 onboard credit and free drinks for oceanview cabins and above on most Europe 2018 cruises.

Princess Cruises: save up to $2100 a stateroom on select cruises across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Japan, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

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MSC: 50 per cent off for the second passenger on select departures in the Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and repositioning cruises.

Crystal Cruises: save up to US$1000 a stateroom on select departures in 2017-18 including its river, ocean and yacht itineraries.

"With industry research finding that more than eight out of 10 travellers use a travel agent to plan and book a cruise holiday, using a CLIA accredited travel agent during Plan a Cruise Month is the best way to book a cruise," Mr Katz added.

For more information about Cruise Month or to find a CLIA accredited agent see cruising.org.au.

THE PORT St Petersburg, Russia

WHO GOES THERE River: APT, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking. Ocean: Azamara, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, HAL, MSC, NCL, Oceania, Ponant, P&O UK, Princess, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking Ocean.

WHY WE LOVE IT The city's network of canals, grand squares and monumental architecture are often described as the Venice of the North; its history is complex and moving. St Petersburg was the capital of Imperial Russia from 1712 to 1914 and is still Russia's cultural capital.

TAKE A TOUR OR GO IT ALONE? River ships dock at Salt Pier, about 50 minutes by bus from the city centre. If you don't join a ship-organised tour you can take the public bus and metro (Lomonosovskaya station) from near the port to the city. Large ocean ships dock at the Marine Facade complex five kilometres northwest of the city centre; smaller ships sail up the Neva river and dock at either English Embankment or Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, much closer to the city centre. As the city is so big it's a good idea to take at least an introductory tour, such as a river cruise, to get orientated. Guided tours of key sites such as the Hermitage Museum, Catherine Palace, Peter and Paul Fortress and Peterhof Palace are offered by cruise lines; the metro is easy to use and exploring on foot straightforward when you have a map with English and Russian wording.

MUST SEE A ballet performance at the Marinsky Theatre; Dostoyevsky Museum (the writer's final home); Nevsky Prospect for Gostiny Dvor, the city's oldest and largest department store.

MUST EAT Blini (pancake) with sour cream and caviar, piroshki (stuffed savoury or sweet pastries), pelmeni (savoury dumplings) and soups, particularly borsht (beetroot soup).

NEED TO KNOW Allow plenty of time to apply for a visa if you're taking a river cruise; the cruise line supplies an official invitation letter. Check with your cruise line if you're taking an ocean cruise whether a visa is necessary.

ESSENTIALS visit-petersburg.ru/en/

CRUISE SCEPTIC

MYTH: River cruises operate only in Europe

REALITY: Check out river cruises in China, Southeast Asia, Russia, Australia, the USA and Africa.

NEWS

Passion Play 2020

The Bavarian town of Oberammergau has been staging the Passion Play once every 10 years since 1664. It was originally a religious thanksgiving ceremony for survivors of the plague and today it is a major event involving more than 2000 local residents who participate as actors, singers, costume-makers, musicians and technicians. Preparations begin on Ash Wednesday a year before the first performance, when actors begin growing the long hair and beards required for their roles (no wigs are used in the production). Officials in Oberammergau expect about 450,000 attendees to view the Passionsspiele in 2020 and Tauck is running two river cruises, The Blue Danube and The Romantic Rhine, that take in the once-in-a-decade event. Tickets are limited to 40 people a cruise and bookings are now open; email reservations@tauck.com.au.

P&O Tennis Cruises

P&O has once again partnered with Tennis Australia and two ships will be running Australian Open Cruises to the event in January. Pacific Eden will leave Sydney for five nights on January 17 and Pacific Explorer follows on January 19, also for five nights. The cruise package covers two days in Melbourne to attend the Australian Open. General admission tickets for two day sessions and one night session are included in your fare and return transfers will operate between the ship and Melbourne Park throughout the day and into the evening. On the cruise to Melbourne, all the day and night games will be screened live on the big screen while you're at sea. P&O will be serving a tennis-themed high tea, including strawberries and cream, scones and savouries, washed down with Pimm's and champagne, available for $20 in the Waterfront. See pocruises.com.au

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