Photo Credit: brewbooks https://goo.gl/RhzRCJ
The appeal of cruising is not about to wane. In fact, it is predicted to soar at its highest in 2016. Right now, options are running high in Australia – new ports of call, profitable deals and record-breaking anticipated travelers are all part of the forecast.
To enjoy your options more, you need to start early with planning your future cruising plan. It will be useful to take stock of these with Brad Crouc’s Ocean and River Cruising Highlights for 2016, which he wrote for Herald Sun – Travel Section. He writes…
It is so big it will start with the biggest ship ever to call Australia home – and go on to have an even bigger ship based out of Sydney.
For guests this means fabulous value, terrific choice, great deals and plenty to choose from while on board, from ice skating rinks and surf simulators to a wide range of dining choices including restaurants overseen by celebrity chefs.
The story is the same further afield, from European and Asian river cruising with luxurious new ships to Mediterranean and Baltic cruises and plenty more.
Major lines are now releasing their programs for 2016-17 with earlybird deals for those willing and able to book ahead.
Crouc proceeded by sharing the”highlights on the high seas and gentle rivers for 2016” that cruisers must watch out for:
High Seas Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International (RCI)
- RCI’s Explorer of the Seas has been upgraded to become the biggest cruise ship in Australia, surpassing its sister Voyager of the Seas.
- RCI is berthing four cruise ships in Australia, namely Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas. It is also deploying the billion-dollar Ovation of the Seas to Sydney for the peak summer season from December 2016. Another RCI ship, Harmony of the Seas, will be based at Barcelona in May 2016.
2. P&O Cruises
- P&O is adding Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden to its current fleet of three ships for a total of five ships that will come together in Sydney Harbour by November 25, 2016.
- It will be offering unique programs to vacationers such as tribal Christmas in Papua New Guinea and music-themed short cruises or Sea Breaks; there are 84 of these Sea Breaks in the program.
3. Carnival
- The line has a record 133 cruises from three-night short breaks to longer 12-night South Pacific holidays and 18-night extended cruises to Hawaii.
- Its new program includes four, five and six-night cruises to nearby destinations, an extended 10-night cruise around South Island, NZ by January 2017 and an additional four more cruises between Sydney and Hawaii.
River Cruises
- APT
- Two ships are being added to its current fleet – MS AmaStella and MS AmaViola. The former offer a fabulous range of choices in its seven dining experiences and a wide range of luxurious amenities.
- It offers luxurious train journeys with The Danube Express, a privately-chartered train to seamlessly connect with the river cruise offered by the Magnificent Europe.
- It has packages with new itineraries such as a Douro/Bordeaux river cruise.
2. Scenic
- Scenic has new destinations slated for 2016: 11-day cruise with Scenic Azure down Portugal’s Douro Valley and Scenic Amber sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Scenic Spirit will sail on the Mekong River in January and Scenic Aura on the Irrawaddy River in September.
- These will bring “the total to 16 throughout Europe, Russia and South-East Asia.”
- Among the numerous draws of Scenic is a new laundry service entitling of free laundry for up to 1kg on each cruise. There are also a number of early-bird offers and reward programs.
3. Seabourn
- This luxury cruise line offers 28 itineraries and 104 departures, ranging from seven to 89 days.
- Seabourn Encore is to be added on its present fleet of Seabourn Quest, Seaborn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn.
The blog also offers possibilities and options with updates about Travemarvel, Princess and Evergreen cruises. Other exciting additions that loom in the coming years include the launch of the Titanic II, by Clive Palmer, Ovation of the Seas, the Harmony of the Seas, Carnival Vista (Carnival), Knonningsdam (Holland America Line), Explorer (Regent Seven Seas) and another ship for AIDA’s German market. Viking will also launch the Viking Star.
It is never too early to plan a holiday if it is a river or ocean cruise you want. These early updates should be able to give you an idea of your cruising options by 2016 and beyond.
