Huskies, reindeer and the northern lights — Norway may be oh-so-cold in winter but the landscapes are stunning, with the chance to see the famed sky-high light show. Add to that soaring mountains, deep fjords and quaint villages only accessible by sea.
Keen travellers can try the Norway in a Nutshell experience staying in Oslo for three nights, with a trip on the Flam railway and a fjord cruise, two nights in Voss and one in Bergen, and a six-night coastal voyage on Hurtigruten’s Kong Harald visiting Alesund, Trondheim and Tromso, and a call at Honningsvag, the portal to the windswept North Cape.
Stay overnight in the famed SnowHotel at Kirkenes deep in the Arctic Circle and enjoy extensive touring including a Meet the Reindeers experience, a Husky Fun ride and Northern Lights tour. Including return flights and transfers, and flight from Kirkenes back to Oslo, the 15-night trip is priced from $8990 a person, twin share, or $10,490 solo, departing February 9, 2018.
PH 1300 766 537, cruiseexpress.com.au
MAIDEN CALL IN AUSTRALIA
The world’s newest ultra-luxury ship is scheduled to make its maiden call in Australia today with a stop at Darwin en route from Bali to Sydney.
Seabourn formally introduced Seabourn Encore to the world earlier this month in Singapore where acclaimed soprano Sarah Brightman presided over the naming ceremony as godmother of the new 600-guest, all-suite ship, sending a bottle of champagne smashing against the bow in a time-honoured ship christening tradition.
“The launch of Seabourn Encore marks the start of a new era of ultra-luxury cruising,” Seabourn president Richard Meadows said. “Seabourn Encore is stunningly beautiful and I know guests are going to be absolutely captivated as they step aboard and see it first-hand.”
One of the ship’s first itineraries is to Australia and it will sail a series of voyages in Australian and New Zealand waters before heading to Europe in April. Guests can experience Seabourn Encore on a seven-day voyage from Athens to Rome on May 6, 2017, discounted to $4799 a person, twin share, valid until March 14.
PH 13 24 02, seabourn.com
REVAMP for YOUNG EXPLORERS
Princess Cruises is overhauling its kids’ and teens’ clubs in a multimillion-dollar fleet-wide program starting in Australia with Sea Princess from October 2017 and Sun Princess in May 2018. The changes creating age-specific centres include new experiences and centre designs to help young Princess explorers learn, play and create fun memories while on a cruise holiday.
The project will see three centres, two of them under the Camp Discovery banner for pre-teens. The Treehouse, ages 3-7 (formerly Pelicans): A bright, whimsical forest and animal-themed centre including “captivating creatures and hands-on activities”; The Lodge, ages 8-12 (formerly Shockwaves): Inspired by the great outdoors, this cozy centre will be filled with sports activities and fun places for kids to explore and hang out; The Beach House, ages 13-17 (formerly Remix), a contemporary surf-themed lounge, featuring a cool place for teens to hang out and socialise.
PH 13 24 88, princess.com
FIT FOR A QUEEN
Fancy a free 16-night cruise on Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2? Ecruising.travel is promoting a sale on a 29-night deal touring South Africa — plus a Dubai stopover — which they say includes the free cruise from Cape Town to Fremantle.
The package priced from $12,999 a person, twin share (if booked by January 31, 2017 for the January 27, 2018 departure), includes a flight to Dubai for a three-night stopover staying at Raffles Hotel with sightseeing and a seaplane excursion, then a flight to Johannesburg for two nights at the Four Seasons.
Guests then fly to Sabi Sands Game Reserve, staying at Kirkman’s Kamp for five nights with daily safaris, then on to Cape Town for three nights staying at The Westin with a Winelands tour and a visit to famous Table Mountain. Guests then embark on the Queen Mary 2 for the 16-night cruise across the Indian Ocean calling at Port Elizabeth, Reunion and Mauritius en route to Fremantle.
PH 1300 369 848, ecruising.travel
SAIL SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA
Save up to 30 per cent on an eight-night Singapore, Penang and Langkawi cruise if booked by February 27, 2017. This deal includes return airfare to Singapore from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, three-nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise accommodation, a four-night cruise on board Mariner of the Seas from Singapore return, meals and entertainment on board and transfers, plus an on-board credit of $US76 ($A102). Priced from $1599 a person, twin share with discount, ex-Perth, cruise departs October 23, 2017.
PH 1300 362 599, creativecruising.com.au
HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY
Relax in Hawaii on a 10-night package exploring the islands on Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pride of America, which has just undergone a $50 million renovation and features new restaurants and bars, as well as upgraded cabins.
The holiday includes return airfares, a seven-night Hawaiian Islands cruise plus port taxes and charges, three nights at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa, an Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor & Historic Downtown tour, transfers and cruise gratuities.
Priced from $3990 a person, twin share, ex-Sydney and Brisbane, $4190 ex-Melbourne, $4290 ex-Adelaide and $4590 ex-Perth, valid to February 12, 2017, cruise departs every Saturday from Honolulu. Package price is based on a May 6, 2017 departure.
PH 1300 692 784, mycruises.com.au
