Evergreen Tours has launched its line-up of African tours in 2016, and has included a new two-night Chobe River cruise on Chobe Princess as an optional add-on to its popular South Africa & Victoria Falls tour, which has also been extended with a three-night stay in Kruger National Park. The Chobe River provides a safari with a difference on a river cruise that takes passengers past herds of elephant, zebra and hippo in the papyrus-lined flood plains of northern Botswana, one of Africa's most diverse and abundant wildlife regions.
Phone 1300 383 747. See www.evergreentours.com.au.
APT has just floated out its new 124-passenger RV AmaDara on the Mekong River. The decor is a blend of French colonial elegance and south-east Asian artefacts. Amenities include two restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. Cabins have an innovative "twin balcony" design, with a private French balcony and a second full-size balcony. AmaDara will sail APT's 12-day "Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights" itinerary, which includes a two-night hotel stay in Ho Chi Minh City and a further two in Siem Reap, where guests have champagne at sunrise at Angkor Wat.
Phone 1300 196 420. See www.aptouring.com.au.
Boutique river-cruise company Aqua Expeditions is undertaking a major upgrade of its two Peruvian cruise ships, the 12-suite Aqua Amazon and 16-suite Aria Amazon. Exteriors feature new woodwork, awnings and paintwork. In the ships' interiors, new lighting, wall coverings and wood flooring have been installed. Suites are being redone with new floors, furniture and amenities, and bathrooms with new floors and tiles. Work will be completed by the end of the year, so 2016 will offer passengers a treat: a float along the Amazon on good-as-new ships.
Phone 1800 243 152. See www.aquaexpeditions.com.
Captain Cook Cruises has announced December 4 as the departure date for its seven-night Loxton to Mannum cruise along the Murray River on the small-ship paddle-wheeler Murray Princess. Hop to it for this rare chance, as the South Australian itinerary operates only every two years. The 339-kilometre float follows in the wake of Australia's 19th-century pioneers and visits Katarapko, Cobdogla Creek, Overland Corner, Old Distillery, Morgan, Sunnydale and Piggy Flat/Coolcha. Shore excursions along the way include a visit to Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve, one of Australia's most significant archaeological sites.
Phone 1300 729 938. See www.murrayprincess.com.au
A new, 17-night Jewels of Japan cruise-tour next year to Japan with Cruise Express departs Australia on June 17, and includes stays in Tokyo and Kyoto, a journey by bullet train, visit to Mount Fuji and cruise from Yokohama on the recently refurbished Diamond Princess, which has an on-board sushi bar and Japanese bathhouse. The nine-night, round-trip sailing heads to three ports on the island of Hokkaido and includes a scenic cruise along the fjords of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Diamond Princess also visits Aomori and the former military post of Korsakov in Russia.
Phone 1300 764 509. See www.cruiseexpress.com.au.
