How far ahead do you book a cruise? When it’s for a once-in a- lifetime full world cruise, people often book up to two years ahead. Cunard and P&O Cruises World Cruising recently released their 2015world voyages itineraries and are expecting the phones to run hot with advance bookings over the next few weeks.
There will be a spectacular ‘‘royal rendezvous’’ between Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (which is celebrating its 10th birthday next year) and Queen Victoria on Sydney Harbour on March 12, 2015, while Queen Elizabeth will do a special sail-by of Anzac Cove for the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli on April 25, 2015.
P&O Cruises World Cruising is sending its popular ships Arcadia and Aurora around the world again in 2015 – both will be in Australia next year as well.
Which started me thinking, how can you get a piece of the action if you don’t have the time or funds to spend three months at sea? And what other cruise lines do world cruises?
The Cunard liners and P&O ships sail from Southampton in January and take from100 to 120 days to complete their round trips. You can, however, book sectors along the way; for example, you could take a 23-night trip from Cape Town to Sydney onQM2at the end of January 2014.
Luxury lines Crystal Cruises, Seabourn and Silversea offer world cruises that start in Los Angeles in January and end up in Europe in time for the northern hemisphere spring, visiting up to 29 countries en route. In 2014 Seabourn Sojourn and Silver Whisper will visit Australia as part of their world itineraries and again, you can book specific sectors. A shortish one is the 15-day Singapore to Hong Kong on Seabourn Sojourn, via Vietnam and Thailand – more doable for most cruisers in terms of time and fares than the full 116-day voyage (which starts at about $US50,000 - $54,300 - a person).
Holland America Line’s Amsterdam is setting off from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, in January for its 113-day ‘‘grand’’ world voyage that includes a transit of the Panama Canal and visits to Papua New Guinea before it returns to Miami.
Princess Cruises’ Australia-based Dawn Princess is doing a 104-nightworld cruise from Sydney, leaving on May 18, 2014. The ship will visit 40 ports in 27 countries, including the Americas, Europe and the South Pacific.
LAUNCHED April 2001; a large resort ship, pictured, totally refurbished in June 2011 and distinguished by vast areas of glass (lifts, windows, atrium).
PASSENGERS & CREW 2139 (double occupancy); 869 crew.
ACCOMMODATION 1071 staterooms, including 825 ocean view (583 with balconies), 571 cabins with third or fourth berths, 15 wheelchair accessible.
REGULAR HAUNTS Australasia, South Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii.
PERFECT FOR Active families, groups of friends (and Barbie fans).
DINING When Radiance was given a major overhaul in 2011, seven of Royal Caribbean’s signature restaurants were added: Boardwalk Dog House, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi, Park Cafe, Rita’s Cantina, Samba Grill and Chef’s Table.
PARTYING You’ll find lots of bars and lounges. There’s live music in various venues, karaoke, disco and ‘‘Broadway-style’’ shows.
DOING Radiance has a rock-climbing wall, three pools, miniature nine-hole golf course, spa and fitness centre, and dozens of daily activities.
DID YOU KNOW? Radiance of the Seas was the first in Royal Caribbean’s Radiance class of ships. Royal Caribbean has six classes of ships: Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Vision and Sovereign (the oldest ship), and a total of 21 in its fleet.
THE DETAILS An eight-night cruise to Queensland, roundtrip from Sydney, departs January19 and calls at Newcastle, Airlie Beach and Brisbane. From $1252 for a balcony cabin, $1152 inside. 1800754500, www.royalcaribbean.com.au.
OFFER OF THE WEEK Save up to 50 per cent on ecruising.travel’s 20-night Seabourn Odyssey fly-cruise holiday from Sydney to Auckland, departing December 23. The package on the all-inclusive, five-star ship costs $8679 and includes flights from Auckland to Australia, two nights in the Auckland Hilton, a free upgrade from an oceanview to a verandah suite and up to $US500 onboard credit if you book by September 30. 1300 369 848, ecruising.travel.
OTHER DEALS
CRUISE GURU Book by September 30 and fly free to Europe to cruise on selected Cunard voyages. Fares for Queen Elizabeth’s 21-night Venice to Rome itinerary departing on June 27 start at $13,756, including return economy class airfares from major capital cities in Australia. 13 13 03, cruiseguru.com.au.
TRAVELMARVEL The 14-day Soul of the Mississippi package from New Orleans to Nashville includes a seven-night cruise on the American Queen paddlewheeler, accommodation and a cooking class in New Orleans and a visit to Elvis’s Graceland. From $6995 a person, plus $1000 air credit a couple on selected departures. 1300 208 712, travelmarvel.com.au.
Are you or your cruise buddies celebrating a birthday or anniversary while you’re at sea? Most cruise lines will organise special occasion cakes or offer champagne and cake packages to add to the party mood. The best thing is to speak to the maitre d’ when you’re on board. If you’re travelling in a group of 16 or more people, P&O Cruises offers a range of events and parties in its Events at Sea program. Check pocruises.com.au.
