Christmas cruising
Getting into the Christmas spirit? Then it's time to start thinking of a Christmas-themed river cruise for next year, with Scenic unveiling its festive cruises for 2016. Among them is a 15-day "Christmas Markets" river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest departing November 21, 2016, which includes shore excursions to Christmas markets in Vienna, Rothenberg, Nuremberg and Cologne. There's also a 16-day "Christmas Wonderland" cruise departing December 14, 2016 that will have you in Durnstein in Austria on Christmas Day for a traditional dinner and midnight mass; extend your stay and enjoy New Year in Prague.
Phone 13 81 28. See scenic.com.au.
To the islands
Aranui Cruises' latest ship Aranui 5 sets sail today on its maiden voyage from Papeete in Tahiti. The custom-built, dual-purpose vessel replaces Aranui 3 (there is no Aranui 4) and will continue to deliver cargo to ports across the Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands while passengers disembark and explore during the 14-day round-trip journeys. The 254-passenger freighter offers Aranui's first single staterooms, new premium and deluxe cabin categories and suites, and significantly more balcony cabins. It also has airconditioned public spaces, restaurant, four bars, lounge, library, computer room, spa and fitness and boutique.
Phone 03 9449 3778. See aranuicruises.com.au.
Intimate Alaska
AdventureSmith Explorations has a new "Islands, Whales & Glaciers" itinerary on the newly acquired, 10-passenger yacht Misty Fjord. Guests cruise between Sitka and Juneau or enjoy an alternative route from Petersburg or Ketchikan. Native culture and off-the-beaten-path explorations include excursions by sea kayak, zodiac and on foot in this corner of southeast Alaska, while a hover flight at Taku Glacier brings guests onto an amphibious hovercraft vehicle designed to travel over ice, water, sandbars and grasslands. Other new Alaska itineraries include an eight-day "Glacier Bay & Island Adventure", with a focus on local nature, history and First Nations culture.
See adventuresmithexplorations.com.
Remote floats
Silversea is now featuring over 100 expedition cruises during its 2017 season, and will make inaugural calls in places as remote and diverse as Ampangorinana and Nosy Komba in Madagascar, Aride Island in the Seychelles, the Scottish Isle of May and Grimsey Island in Iceland. Silver Explorer will visit Canada's remote and spectacular Torngat Mountains National Park, while a new Colombo to Kolkata sailing on Silver Discoverer heads to the Andaman Islands and – in a first for any cruise ship – a visit to Bangladesh, with stops at Chittagong, Maheshkhali Island and the UNESCO-listed Sundarban Islands.
Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com.
North and south
Cruise Express has a 33-night luxury holiday package in mid-2016 with two cruises that showcase both northern and southern Europe. The Contrasts of Europe journey departs Australia on May 18 and opens with a 12-night cruise between Venice and Rome on Celebrity Constellation, with stops in the Adriatic, Malta, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. There are then two nights in Rome and three in London before travellers embark at Southampton for a 14-night round trip on Celebrity Eclipse to Belgium, Scandinavia, Russia, Germany and Estonia, including two nights at dock in St Petersburg.
Phone 1300 764 509. See cruiseexpress.com.au.
