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Ponant releases 2025 European ‘Grand Voyages’

February 16, 2024 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Ponant releases 2025 European ‘Grand Voyages’

Ponant has launched a selection of bespoke European Grand Voyages – sailings made of back-to-back combined itineraries offering the best of Europe to be experienced in 2025

Ponant invites long-haul travelling guests from Australia and New Zealand looking at extended European stays to consider these combined itineraries designed to offer exceptional value for travellers seeking enriching and immersive journeys through Europe in 2025.

Grand Voyage – Antalya to Venice
  • From 17 May to 1 June 2025
  • 15 nights on board L’Austral
  • 16 ports of call visiting 5 countries including Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy.
  • A captivating journey to uncover Greece’s ancient wonders, complemented by a stop in Turkey. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Mycenae ruins, Epidaurus theatre, Delos Island, and Ephesus historical sites. Experience a diverse itinerary featuring vibrant cities, cultural landmarks, and pristine beaches across the Cyclades and beyond. Sail between the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic Seas, discovering Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia. Enjoy included excursions at each port, carefully curated by destination experts. Explore Vieste, a picturesque new port of call in Puglia, and visit UNESCO sites such as the Acropolis of Athens and the Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Traverse the iconic Corinth Canal and delve into the charm of Lecce from Otranto.
Grand Voyage – Lisbon to Antalya
  • From 18 April to 17 May 2025
  • 29 nights on board L’Austral
  • 28 ports of call visiting 7 countries including Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, and Turkey.
  • An in-depth sailing experience in the Mediterranean to uncover the vibrant cities of the Iberian Peninsula and its rich cultural heritage including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the tower of Belém in Lisbon, Valencia’s Silk Exchange, and Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona. Continue through the legendary Strait of Gibraltar after a captivating stopover in Morocco. Discover geological wonders and historical treasures in Lagos, in Southern Portugal before sailing to the enchanting Balearic Islands, including Palma de Mallorca. Explore majestic landscapes and ancient sites from Barcelona to Malta via Sardinia and Sicily, including Arab-Norman Palermo and the temples of Ggantija. Dive into Sardinia’s treasures in Alghero and Cagliari and immerse yourself in Sicily’s lifestyle during four stops. Explore the historical sites and natural wonders of the Maltese Island of Gozo before continuing your voyage through Malta, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Explore the captivating city of Syracuse in Sicily before crossing the Corinth Canal, connecting the Ionian and Aegean Seas.
Grand Voyage – Helsinki to Lisbon
  • From 13 August to 8 September 2025
  • 26 nights on board Le Lapérouse
  • 24 ports of call visiting 12 countries including Finland, Netherlands, UK, France, Spain, and Portugal.
  • A curated voyage tailored featuring engaging discussions with Smithsonian Journey’s experts and included excursions at each port of call. Highlights include exclusive presentations with former Polish President Lech Wałęsa in Gdansk and visits to four UNESCO World Heritage sites along the Baltic Sea. Continue to explore iconic cities of the Hanseatic League and Flanders, with stops in charming coastal towns like Scheveningen. Cultural highlights include Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, Antwerp’s connection to Peter Paul Rubens, and Bruges, the “Venice of the North.” The cruise also explores significant sites like Mont-Saint-Michel and Santiago de Compostela, with opportunities for remembrance at Omaha Beach, a visit to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and tasting Porto’s renowned wines.

Viking returns to Antarctica for a third season

December 2, 2023 baz Expedition Cruises Comments Off on Viking returns to Antarctica for a third season
Viking is celebrating the start of its third expedition season in Antarctica, as the Viking Octantis and her identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris have arrived again in the region. Both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica before returning to North America’s Great Lakes for voyages throughout the spring, summer and early fall.
Image credit:Viking Octantis. Viking.

To meet strong demand for Antarctica voyages, Viking has also announced that the 2025-2026 season is now open for booking, including a new 87-day expedition From the Arctic to Antarctica, sailing from Nuuk, Greenland, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Departing in September 2025, this epic journey will allow guests to explore the natural beauty and historic waterways of the Canadian High Arctic before travelling down the east coast of North and South America, calling on ports in the Caribbean, Peru, and exploring the Chilean glaciers before continuing to Antarctica.

The arrival of Viking’s expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two inaugural Longitudinal World Cruises—the 71-day Longitudinal World Cruise II, from Duluth to Ushuaia, and the 70-day Longitudinal World Cruise III, from Milwaukee to Ushuaia. These highly-rated Grand Journeys offer guests a variety of travel milestones in a single itinerary, sailing from the heart of North America through the engineering wonders like the Welland and Panama Canals, into the Chilean fjords and finally Antarctica. Following Viking’s upcoming third season in the Great Lakes, the Viking Polaris will sail the Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024 and the Viking Octantis will embark on another sailing of the Longitudinal World Cruise II.

The Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris host 378 guests in 189 staterooms. The vessels are built specifically for expeditions at an ideal size for safety and comfort in remote destinations. With more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than other expedition vessels, guests are as close as possible to the most magnificent scenery on earth.

Carnival Valor transported over Six tons of School, recreational and Health Supplies

December 2, 2023 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Carnival Valor transported over Six tons of School, recreational and Health Supplies
Carnival Cruise Line has completed the delivery of over six tons of school, recreational and health supplies donated by Rotary International Districts for children in the Merida and Progreso, Yucatán communities.
Image credit: Carnival Valor. Carnival Cruise Line

To celebrate the arrival of the items, Carnival welcomed local dignitaries, including Yucatan Undersecretary of Tourism Raul Paz and Progreso Education Director Daniela Nuñez, and Rotary leaders for a reception aboard Carnival Valor in Progreso.

Rotary International Districts collected over 13,000 pounds (approx.. 5,900kg) of supplies, including books, feminine hygiene kits and even soccer balls (or balon de futbols). Districts throughout Texas, and Oklahoma contributed items or funds to purchase items, which later sailed on Carnival Valor from New Orleans to Progreso.

The delivery in Progreso is part of an ongoing partnership between Rotary International Districts and Carnival. Earlier this year, Carnival worked with Rotary Districts to deliver supplies to the Cozumel and Roatan destination communities.

Viking marks float out of newest ship

December 2, 2023 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Viking marks float out of newest ship
Viking today announced its newest ocean ship—the 998-guest Viking Vela—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in December 2024, the Viking Vela will spend her inaugural season sailing voyages in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.
Image credit. Viking Vela. Viking.

The traditional float-out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Vela began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when the Viking team cut a cord that signalled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Vela afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

The Viking Vela – Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vela has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. She will join the award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships, which includes the Viking Star, the Viking Sea, the Viking Sky, the Viking Orion, the Viking Jupiter, the Viking Venus, the Viking Mars, the Viking Neptune and the Viking Saturn.

Celebrity Ascent officially joins Celebrity’s Edge Series fleet

November 11, 2023 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Celebrity Ascent officially joins Celebrity’s Edge Series fleet
Celebrity Ascent has officially joined Celebrity Cruises’ fleet of award-winning ships redefining premium travel, as company officials took delivery of its newest ship at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

The fourth ship in the line’s innovative Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent continues to shatter preconceived notions of cruising with its forward-thinking design by the world’s leading architects and interior designers; culinary excellence from Michelin starred chefs; wellness woven throughout the experience; expansive onboard entertainment and more. Celebrity Ascent will make her official debut in Fort Lauderdale on 3Dec23, with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing visiting such popular destinations as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic.

Welcoming the ship to the Celebrity Cruises family were Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Captains Dimitrios Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis, the first brother captains honoured with taking a new ship from the shipyard, were also on-hand for the celebration, along with 1,400 Celebrity Ascent crew members.

To mark the moment, they participated in several maritime traditions including the signing ceremony and the changing of flags onboard the ship, along with a celebratory toast in the ship’s spectacular three-story Grand Plaza. 

Celebrity Ascent joins a class of ships without comparison and is a sister ship to Celebrity Beyond which debuted to great acclaim last year. Distinctive ship features and new experiences include:

  • The Retreat, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, highlighted by a two-story sundeck;
  • Accommodations for modern tastes from modern two-story villas with private plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living;
  • An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools;
  • A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar at the ship’s aft;
  • An expanded onboard entertainment program featuring a transformative nightlife experience on the Resort Deck, six new live productions, interactive gaming experiences, and more;
  • A redesigned casino floor and brand-new games;
  • A new outdoor dining terrace at Blu, the brand’s clean cuisine restaurant for Aqua Class guests, available for al fresco daytime dining;
  • A newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud;
  • And, the return of the Magic Carpet®, an engineering feat soaring cantilevered above the sea, offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.

Following Celebrity Ascent’s maiden voyage, she will offer a variety of alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations through late April, when she then heads to the Mediterranean for sailings from Barcelona and Rome.

Windstar Cruises and Coral Gardeners Partnership Celebrates One Year Anniversary

November 11, 2023 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Windstar Cruises and Coral Gardeners Partnership Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Windstar Cruises, celebrates the one-year anniversary of its partnership with Coral Gardeners, a Moorea (French Polynesia)-based organization determined to revolutionize ocean conservation and create a global movement to save the coral reefs through reef restoration, awareness activities, and innovative solutions.  With the collaboration entering its second year, Windstar Cruises has announced new efforts to support Coral Gardeners including the expansion of its coral reef adoption program for cruise guests, new educational shore excursion in Tahiti, and its recently launched informative speaker series on coral reef preservation.

The partnership launched in October 2022 onboard Star Breeze in Moorea with Windstar’s 1,000 adoption donation to Coral Gardeners with the option for all guests sailing on a cruise in French Polynesia to adopt a coral for a $35 per person donation. Windstar has now expanded the program allowing all guests sailing in any destination the opportunity to adopt a coral.

To date, Windstar, along with its guests, have adopted over 2,400 corals and expect to exceed its goal of 2,500 by the end of the year. The cruise line’s goal is to open a dedicated nursery supporting 5,000 corals in 2025.

Beginning in 2024 in Tahiti, when Star Breeze returns to this region with a brand new itinerary including the Marquesas,  Windstar will introduce a new shore-excursion taking guests to the Coral Gardeners facility to meet the team, visit the nurseries, and learn about the importance of protecting the corals in a hands-on and interactive way. Staff from Coral Gardeners will explain their process of selecting heat-resistant coral, growing coral in nurseries, and replanting healthy coral on damaged reefs to restore the entire ecosystem and bring back marine diversity. 

In an effort to continue to raise awareness, Windstar Cruises has also recently launched an engagement speaker series on board the ships calling in Moorea. The informative lecture by a Coral Gardeners team member raises awareness and educates guests on coral reef preservation. Newly created videos and pamphlets are available to all guests and tour operators globally.

The all-suite 312-guest Star Breeze takes over from Wind Spirit in February 2024 as the year round ship in Tahiti. 

Watch a video about Windstar’s partnership with Coral Gardeners: https://youtu.be/CdiefAWwDis?si=tKQIPd0vaNukICI3

Queensland Children’s Hospital patients enjoy Dr. Seuss-themed day onboard Carnival Luminosa

April 10, 2023 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Queensland Children’s Hospital patients enjoy Dr. Seuss-themed day onboard Carnival Luminosa

Over 40 Queensland Children’s Hospital patients and family members enjoyed a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast before Carnival Cruise Line presented the Children’s Hospital Foundation with the donation results of its first Brisbane season.

Bringing some Dr. Seuss-themed fun to the Sunshine State, Carnival Cruise Line, along with the Children’s Hospital Foundation, today hosted Queensland Children’s Hospital patients and families onboard Carnival Luminosa for a special Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast.

With The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, all were invited onboard the ship red and blue. Green Eggs were enjoyed, and the kids had a ball, but their mums and their dads had the best time of all. There was singing and dancing, by crew and by waiters, but the kids were by far the best fun creators.

Carnival Cruise Line has been a proud supporter of the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Queensland since 2019 and has hosted its recurring Conga for Kids event onboard Carnival Luminosa since the ship began sailing from Queensland in November 2022.

Raising much-needed funds for the Foundation, Carnival Cruise Line VP, Kara Glamore also presented Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Lyndsey Rice with a giant cheque for $34,245. The money raised is the cumulative efforts of the brand’s ‘Conga for Kids’ events during Carnival’s first-ever Brisbane season. And with two events to go, this number is only expected to increase. This figure adds to a previous donation of $10,000 following the 2022 Nine Telethon in support of the foundation, bringing the total funds raised to just under 45 thousand dollars.

Swan Hellenic announces delivery of third state-of-the-art expedition ship: SH Diana

April 10, 2023 baz Expedition Cruises Comments Off on Swan Hellenic announces delivery of third state-of-the-art expedition ship: SH Diana

Third and largest ship in the elegant ice-class Swan Hellenic fleet is now on her way to the Mediterranean, where cultural expedition cruising began

On Tuesday the 4th of April: Swan Hellenic announced that it had taken delivery of SH Diana from the Helsinki Shipyard on Friday the 31st of March, and that its newest and largest ship is en-route in the Baltic and will pass the through the Kiel Canal tomorrow night.

SH Diana is now sailing to Palermo for her inaugural cultural expedition cruise, the ten-night Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors, which will take her guests to explore some of the most fascinating locations in North Africa before crossing the “Pillars of Hercules” to Seville and Lisbon. Departing Lisbon on the 25th of April, the nine-night Historic Ports of the Western Seaboard will see her hugging the coasts of Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to reach Amsterdam.

Here on the 4th of May, a Christening Ceremony with US luxury travel industry icon Valerie Wilson as godmother will take place naming SH Diana in the traditional manner with a modern twist, sending her on her way in style to cruises of the Scandinavian fjords and a full Arctic season.

Carnival Luminosa to Sail One of Carnival’s Longest Ever Cruise in 2024

February 12, 2023 baz Uncategorized, Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Carnival Luminosa to Sail One of Carnival’s Longest Ever Cruise in 2024

Carnival unveils ultimate bucket list transpacific cruise, spanning three continents in 31 days

Carnival Luminosa, Brisbane.

Carnival Cruise Line is introducing a once-in-a-lifetime 31-day cruise on Carnival Luminosa that will take guests to three continents, sailing from Brisbane, Australia to Japan and then across the Pacific Ocean to Alaska, ending in Seattle, Washington. Reservations for the sailing are now open.

This latest addition to the Carnival Journeys program of longer sailings is one of the longest and most varied itineraries in Carnival’s 50-year history.

The 31-day itinerary departs Brisbane, Australia, on April 1, 2024, and includes the following port visits: Guam; Okinawa, Hiroshima, Yokohama (Tokyo), Aomori and Kushiro, Japan; Seward, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, and a cruise through the Hubbard Glacier, ending in Seattle, Washington on May 1, 2024.

The sailing’s stop in Okinawa, Japan will mark Carnival’s first-ever visit there.

Bookings now open via your local CLIA Cruise Specialist Travel Agency. 

Carnival Luminosa - Theatre
Carnival Luminosa - Restaurant
Carnival Luminosa - Cloud 9 Spa

Sun Princess – to Feature the Brand’s Most Exciting & Contemporary Spaces

February 12, 2023 baz Uncategorized, Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Sun Princess – to Feature the Brand’s Most Exciting & Contemporary Spaces

Epic Piazza, State-of-the-Art Arena Theater in the Round, Amazing Dining Venues and Largest Ever Casino

Sun princess - Theatre in the round
Sun princess - Horizons Restaurant
Sun princess - Alfredos Pizzeria
Sun princess - Casino
Sun princess - Crooners Bar

Here comes Sun Princess! Princess Cruises has revealed a first glimpse of the most contemporary and state-of-the-art designs imaged yet onboard Sun Princess – “The Love Boat” line’s newest, largest and most innovative ship ever built and scheduled to debut in early 2024. With bright designs inspired by rays of sunlight and next-level expanded spaces, guests are in for an extraordinary cruise experience including a showstopping Arena theater and stunning three-story dining venue – a first for Princess.

A first for Princess, the Horizons Dining Room introduces a stunning three-story dining venue. This newly envisioned space is open and flexible, featuring dining options to suit every mood. Stunning wake views and natural light highlight a decorative sculpture that stretches from deck 6 to deck 8. The three decks will each have their own personalities, offer different dining experiences and range in levels of formality.

Contemporary and versatile, the Princess Arena is an evolution and the most technologically advanced Princess Theater design. Upon entering, guests will be drawn to a stunning visual above the central stage which can become part of the show. A radical ceiling accentuates the Arena’s in-the-round configuration with soft curved walls that allude to the movement of the tide. With moveable seats and capacity of a little more than 1,000 people, three configurations will maximize sight lines, as technological capabilities deliver a truly captivating experience.

Additional signature favorites with new designs and décor scheduled to debut onboard Sun Princess in early 2024, include:

Alfredo’s Pizzeria – This charming favorite that has been named “Best Pizza at Sea” will once again have an open kitchen design, allowing guests to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of them oven. New to the kitchen is a professional, open-mouth oven that reaches 968 degrees, allowing chefs to create truly authentic contemporary Neapolitan pizza. Guests will enjoy an authentic experience comparable to one they would receive when traveling to Italy.

Princess Casino – The largest Princess casino in both size and number of gaming positions will be in the Piazza, giving guests easy access to their favourite betting games. The spacious floorplan ensures guest comfort and entertainment, and with over 200 of the newest and most popular slots and video poker games, there is something for everyone.

Crown Grill – A favourite of Princess guests who enjoy a perfectly grilled steak, Crown Grill on Sun Princess takes this iconic space and modernizes it with a classic steakhouse feel weaved with modern touches. Inviting leather booths, circular seating and modern artwork custom designed for this restaurant will welcome guests in for an unforgettable dinner experience. Plus, guests can enjoy views of their food being prepared in the largest show galley on a Princess ship.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Serving a modern, casual but elegant Italian dining experience, the newly imagined Sabatini’s will appeal to families with unique handmade pasta courses prepared fresh daily. A crisp, tailored, geometric design that also will feature a pasta room for guests to marvel at the pasta-making process. The restaurant is designed with intimate bistro-style nooks and a dramatic circular main room.

Princess Live! – Combining the design elements of Princess Live! and guest favorite Explorer’s Lounge, guests on Sun Princess will enjoy participatory, signature cruise activities like game shows, trivia and the daily Wake Show. Luxurious textures and materials will be featured on a mixture of comfortable loose and fixed lounge seating with full beverage service, an inviting semi-open façade, and large LED screen on stage. Guests can easily move from Princess Live! to enjoy a meal or cocktail with the close proximity to restaurants and cocktail lounges, bridging a seamless integration of entertainment and bar concepts.

Additional spaces with new designs, signage and décor will include Crooner’s, Wheelhouse Bar, International Cafe, Good Spirits and Gelateria.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the largest Princess ship ever constructed, accommodating 4,000 guests, embraces Italian heritage by featuring a newly designed, brand-iconic Piazza and The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini.