A-ROSA adds two new ships to fleet

• A-ROSA is expanding its fleet for the 2024 season, with the addition of two ships. From April, both 110-metre-long premium ships will initially sail on the Rhine, under the names A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA, providing additional capacity on its most popular itineraries.
• Then from the start of the 2025 season onwards, one ship will be transferred to the Seine in northern France and will sail from the heart of Paris to Le Havre on the Atlantic coast. At this point the current ship on the Seine, A-ROSA VIVA, will return to the Rhine.
• In 2026, the second ship will be moved to the Gironde/Garonne in the Bordeaux region of France, both brand new rivers for A-ROSA.
• The two new A-ROSA ships will sail on the Rhine both north to Amsterdam and Rotterdam and south to Basel and Strasbourg. They will also regularly cruise the popular Moselle itinerary to Trier. A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA will be available for booking from October 2023.
• Built in 2009 in the Netherlands, the new fleet members offer all the amenities that guests expect from A-ROSA. Each ship can accommodate up to 138 guests in 16 square metre cabins with either French balconies on decks two and three or windows on deck one, plus there are two or four 24 square metre suites, depending on the ship. Furthermore, each ship will feature a whirlpool, fitness room and three different lounges including an outdoor area on the bow of the ship. These two ships will follow the same successful culinary concept that is offered by A-ROSA ALVA on the Douro in Portugal, with buffet breakfast and lunch, whilst for dinner, starters and desserts are chosen from the buffet and the main course is conveniently served at the table.

Money can’t buy this cruise

• Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program has launched its first-ever cruise for Points offer with Virgin Voyages, ahead of the cruise line’s hotly anticipated arrival in Australia this December.
• In what is the first step in a major partnership between Sir Richard Branson’s only two travel companies to operate in Australia, the limited time only cruise for Points offer will be available for a set redemption price of just 79,999 Points*. The offer is valid for travel between 16 December 2023 and 5 March 2024, on eligible sailings departing Melbourne and Sydney.
• With no cash required to make a booking, enough Velocity Points can be earnt to take up the offer by shopping for everyday necessities, such as topping up the car, taking out a new health insurance policy, or using the bonus Points from a new credit card – making a luxe kid-free cruise holiday a possibility for many more Australians.
  • Virgin Voyages’ eligible points cruises* (3-6 nights)
  • Melbourne to Hobart return (16/12/2023- 21/12/2023)
  • Melbourne to Burnie return (23/01/2024 – 27/01/2024)
  • Melbourne to Hobart return (27/01/2024 01/02/2024)
  • Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart return (01/02/2024- 07/02/2024)
  • Sydney to Hobart return (11/02/2024 – 15/02/2024)
  • Sydney to Burnie return (15/02/2024 – 19/02/2024)
  • Sydney, Melbourne and Burnie return (19/02/2024 – 22/02/2024)
  • Melbourne to Tasmania return (22/02/2024 – 27/02/2024)
  • Melbourne to Hobart return (27/02/2024 – 02/03/2024)
  • Melbourne to Melbourne return (02/03/2024 – 05/03/2024)
• Virgin Voyages’ FREE inclusions with every cruise
  • Dining at 20+ eateries with menus by Michelin-starred chefs
  • All essential drinks including still or sparkling water, drip-coffees, teas, sodas, non-pressed juices
  • WiFi
  • Unlimited fitness classes
  • Entertainment
  • Tips
• The cashless cruise offer can be redeemed here now via the Velocity Rewards Store until midnight 5 October 2023 or until sold out.

Cunard Announces Three-year Partnership with British Film Institute for Queen Anne

• Cunard has teamed up with the British Film Institute (BFI) for an exclusive new partnership that will make waves with film lovers ahead of the launch of the line’s newest ship, Queen Anne.
• The luxury cruise line has announced a three-year partnership with the UK’s lead organization for film, TV, and the moving image. The collaboration will see a curated program of short films and beloved blockbusters shown exclusively on the outdoor screen in The Pavilion aboard Queen Anne.
• The Pavilion is an idyllic open-air oasis on the top deck of Cunard’s newest ship, and the BFI will be showing 10 films every month on the cinematic LED screen in this romantic outdoor space. These specially selected films will also be shown in guests’ staterooms.
• As a multi-purpose space, The Pavilion boasts a specially designed glass dome roof that retracts in warmer climates. Inspired by beautiful glasshouses, it is the ideal spot for getting lost in a book or enjoying a dip in the pool by day and for meeting new friends over a glass of wine in the evening.
• The space has been designed by David Collins Studio, with its sophisticated aesthetic likened to a ship sailing through serene waters as guests breeze from one moment to the next. The gentle arc of the glass dome encompasses all the experiences within the space, and opens to let the outside in.
• Acclaimed architect Martin Francis – who supported with engineering the iconic Louvre Pyramid in Paris – led a redesigning of the glass dome, which will now feature a refined arched steel frame to maximize height and light in the space as it stretches up and aft to create the new Wellness Studio.
• Queen Anne’s wider design concepts have been founded on heritage, craftmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, and the 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest ship, which spans 14 decks, will offer guests several breath-taking experiences, and more choices of entertainment, dining, and bars than ever before.
• BFI Partnership
• In addition to the collaboration with The Pavilion on Queen Anne, Cunard will be a main sponsor of the 67th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, which runs at venues across London, as well as in nine UK partner cinemas, from October 4-15, 2023, as well as in 2024 and 2025.
• On October 11, the Cunard Gala will support the European premiere of The Holdovers at the BFI London Film Festival – in association with Universal Pictures and Focus Features – at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. The Holdovers is a new American comedy-drama from acclaimed director Alexander Payne.

Cunard Announces New 2025 Program for Queen Anne, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria

• Cunard has pioneered ocean travel for more than 180 years and now the luxury cruise line is offering travellers the chance to set sail on more unforgettable holidays with the release of 180 new voyages for 2025.
• Voyages will be available to book from 8am EST on October 4, 2023, exclusively for Cunard World Club Members, with bookings available to the public from 8am on October 5.
• The compelling program features sailings between April 2025 and January 2026 and includes an eclectic mix of exciting itineraries spanning 91 destinations, across 24 countries globally, on board Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria.
• Queen Anne will primarily be sailing to the Western Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords and Western Europe, while Queen Mary 2 will continue her iconic Transatlantic Crossings and Queen Victoria will be based in the Mediterranean. Each Queen’s program boasts at least one maiden call; however, Queen Anne will make no fewer than 19 maiden calls – including Bilbao, Ibiza, Skjolden, Messina and Santorini.
• Queen Anne
• Guests will discover their dream destination with Queen Anne in 2025. As the newest addition to the Cunard fleet, her design concepts have been founded on heritage, craftmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, and the 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest ship, which spans 14 decks, will offer travelers several breath-taking experiences, and more choices of entertainment, dining, and bars than ever before.
• For her 2025 program, Queen Anne will be sailing out of Southampton, England, providing a range of destinations and itinerary lengths varying from two to 19 nights, which will include 19 maiden calls. From a 12-night voyage taking in the mystical landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords in June to a 16-night Mediterranean sailing around France, Spain, and Italy in July – taking in several of Europe’s most enchanting ancient cities – Cunard’s newest Queen will be embarking on a host of captivating voyages.
• Queen Mary 2
• From the UNESCO-inscribed architecture of Old Quebec to the medieval streets of Bruges, guests will discover holidays on both sides of the Atlantic on Cunard’s flagship and the world’s only true ocean liner in 2025.
• Whether it’s the white sands and warm shallows of the Caribbean in December or indulging in Cunard signatures during uninterrupted sea days on a Transatlantic Crossing, a voyage on Queen Mary 2 is always an extraordinary experience.
• Queen Victoria
• Queen Victoria will be based in the Mediterranean across the program from May to October 2025, offering a range of 7, 14 and 21-night itineraries out of Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste.
• One of the many dazzling highlights of Queen Victoria’s 2025 program is her two-week Istanbul and Greek Islands sailing in May. This voyage from Civitavecchia takes in some of the Eastern Mediterranean’s greatest treasures, from exploring Turkish seas to serene Greek islands, each port makes for an adventure to remember.

Excursions Now Included Across all PONANT Voyages

• PONANT is now including excursions on all voyages to offer a unique approach to each destination. Starting with Australasia’s Summer 2024-2025 season including departures from October 2024 to April 2025 which have just opened for sale: 17 itineraries, 32 departures for Asia, Oceania, Antarctica and Northern Europe.
• Already available across PONANT’s signature luxury polar and tropical expeditions itineraries in places such as the Kimberley, Antarctica, Japan or Greenland, daily excursions* are now included in other destinations such as the Mediterranean, North America’s Great Lakes, or the Caribbean.
• From discovering local cultures and heritage or participating in supervised outdoor sports activities to attending cultural events or enjoying free time for local discoveries in complete freedom, guests can now choose from a range of immersive onshore experiences, with one excursion included at each port of call.*
• As capacities are limited, pre-booking is due to open approximately two months before departure, and requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
• To find out which excursions are included, go directly to au.ponant.com and click on the “Included Excursions” tab.