Trading places
Viking Cruises has a new "Trade Routes of the Middle Ages" ocean itinerary next year between Bergen in Norway and Barcelona in Spain on Viking Star. The 15-day route, departing in September 2017 and April 2018, follows mediaeval trade routes around the coast of western Europe, stopping in seven countries and 10 ports, many of which have important histories linked to the sea. Among them is Amsterdam, and Belgium's most important fishing port Zeebrugge, La Havre in France, Portsmouth in England, and Cartagena in Spain, which dates back to the Roman era.
Phone 1800 131 744. See vikingcruises.com.au
Summer passage
The normally icebound Northwest Passage across northern Canada has been attracting adventurous cruise lines of late as global warming and shifting ice has opened it up during limited summer months. Regent's Seven Seas Navigator is the latest to tackle the legendary sea route. The ship is embarking on a new 30-day "Grand Northwest Passage" itinerary that departs on July 19, 2017 from Seward in Alaska, with 11 maiden ports of call in Alaska, Canada and Greenland. It also cruises the St Lawrence River before finishing in Montreal. Up to 11 shore excursions are included in the fare.
Phone 02 9265 7100. See rssc.com.au
Sea trials
Seacloud is offering three short "taster" trips next year for those who want to try cruising on a sailing ship without the commitment of a longer voyage. In June, Sea Cloud II sails a four-day itinerary between Porto in Portugal and Bilbao in northern Spain, which includes a visit to pilgrimage town Santiago de Compostela. In August, passengers can sail in the opposite direction between Bilbao and Lisbon on a slightly longer six-day itinerary. And in October, a four-day sail on Sea Cloud's return from Venice takes in Trieste and ports along the Croatian coast.
Phone 1300 583 572. See seacloud.com
Asian delight
New Asian-based ship Genting Dream has released its cruise itineraries for the November 2017 to March 2018 season and has partnered with Ecruising to offer land-cruise packages in Asia that range from 10 to 18 nights and include port visits in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and China. The inaugural "Dream Delight" itinerary this November is a six-night cruise that visits three Vietnamese ports of call (Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Da Nang), and also includes two hotel nights in departure and arrival ports Singapore and Hong Kong.
Phone 1300 369 848. See ecruising.travel
Royal tour
A new 21-night cruise-tour from Cruise Express departing Australia on August 7, 2017 promises to be "A Very Royal Affair", with palace tours, dinner in a Scottish castle, morning tea on the Royal Yacht Britannia, a stay at the Ritz in London and a ride on the luxury Belmond Royal Scotsman train. The cruise component is a seven-day journey on luxury small ship Hebridean Princess from Invergordon to Oban around the top of Scotland and through the Hebrides islands; the Queen herself has twice chartered the ship for private family holidays.
Phone 1300 764 509. See cruiseexpress.com.au
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