By Brian Johnston
Seabourn Encore Credit: Michel Verdure
GO WELL
Seabourn is returning to Australia and New Zealand this December 2019, when two of its ships make 40 calls across Australia over the summer season. Seabourn Encore is making maiden calls at Portland in Victoria, Hobart, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide (all in March 2020), while Seabourn Sojourn is visiting six Australian ports as part of a world cruise, including its first calls at Airlie Beach and Brisbane in April 2020, which closes the season Down Under. Seabourn is also operating a dedicated, 16-day wellness cruise between Auckland and Sydney, departing on February 21, 2020.
Phone 13 24 02. See seabourn.com
SILVER SERVICE
Silversea Cruises is offering European cruises aboard Silver Shadow in 2020, following an extensive refurbishment of the ship this month that will see enhanced public spaces, a new atrium and full renovations of its suites. Among the itineraries is a seven-day Italy voyage roundtrip from Rome departing on July 3, 2020; an 11-day Rome to Athens voyage on October 1, 2020 that visits Italy, Malta, Greece and Turkey; and a 10-day Athens to Venice voyage on October 19, 2020 that explores Greece, Turkey and maiden port Durres in Albania.
Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com
IMAGINE THAT
If you're an avid cruiser and haven't heard of Imagine Cruising, it's time to add it to your bookmarks. The company offers cruise holidays that combine ship travel with rail journeys, land-based touring, music concerts and global sporting spectacles such as Grand Prix racing and Grand Slam tennis. Last week it hosted a John Farnham concert in Singapore in conjunction with a Voice in Asia holiday cruise. Imagine Cruising has offices in five countries, including Australia. Sister website The Cruise Cafe (thecruisecafe.com.au) offers last-minute and competitive fly-and-cruise packages for the budget minded.
Phone 1800 924 450. See imaginecruising.com.au
WILD THINGS
Collette is offering cruise-tours that take in the highlights of Peru and Ecuador in 2020. The 14-day Machu Picchu and Galapagos Wonders itineraries cover some of the region's best land sights, but also include a four-night cruise in the Galapagos islands on 14-person yacht MY Passion, which visits Santa Cruz and Genovesa, Marchena and Bartolome islands, notable for their abundance of bird and marine life. Guests can spot pelicans, herons, blue-footed boobies and flamingos, plus iconic land creatures such as giant tortoises and iguanas, and aquatic animals such as stingrays, turtles and dolphins.
Phone 1300 792 196. See gocollette.com.au
STYLISH IN PORTUGAL
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has a new Super Ship set to debut on the Douro River in Portugal in April. The top deck of S.S. São Gabriel will be given over to lavish suites with butler service, while public areas will be decorated in opulent Portuguese tiles. The ship, which will sail as part of the 'Portugal, Spain & The Douro River Valley' itinerary between Lisbon and Porto, is one of four Super Ships launching for Uniworld in 2020. Its new sister ships will sail on the Nile, Mekong and Venetian Lagoon.
Phone 1300 780 231. See uniworld.com
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