Departing Sydney On Sep Twenty-Four Next Year, The Trip Begins With Flights To Johannesburg, A Three-Day Safari At Madikwe Taking In The ‘Big Five’, And A Four-Night Stay In Sun Town.

CRUISE in Style has a package combining a one week tour in SA with a 30-night cruise. Departing Sydney on September twenty-four next year, the trip starts with flights to Johannesburg, a three-day safari at Madikwe taking in the “big five”, and a four-night stay in Sun City.

After flights to Athens, guests will join Holland America’s Prinsendam for the cruise, calling at ports in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Italy including Alexandria, Marmaris, Dubrovnik and Venice, ending in Civitavecchia (Rome) for the flight home.

The package is priced from $10,999 an individual twin share, but the cruise can be shortened to sixteen nights, ending in Civitavecchia mid-way, reducing the fare to $9499 an individual twin share.

Theme and variations

Oceania Cruises has launched a programme of themed cruises for 2012.

High spots include a 10-day Jacques Pepin cruise from Barcelona to Rome on Marina with the famous cook and restaurateur, who is also the line’s culinary director, hosting cooking demonstrations and book signings.

Alternatives include a 10-day Spring Music Fest cruise from Athens to Barcelona on Nautica on May fourteen, featuring jazz musicians, and a 12-day Italian Wine Immersion Cruise from Rome to Venice on Regatta, departing July twenty-seven. There are two cruises with attention on health. One is on Regatta, a 10-day cruise from Venice to Athens departing on August eight, and the other is from Athens to Istanbul on Quay, departing on October twenty-four. (02) 9959 1370, oceaniacruises.com.au.

Yuletide on board

If you haven’t already confirmed plans for the Yuletide vacations, there’s still plenty of time to consider a cruise. PO has two 10-night Xmas cruises, departing in December from Sydney and cruising the South Pacific, priced from $999 an individual twin share.

Pacific Jewel heads out first on December eighteen, with Pacific Sun hot on its heels the next day. Specialized activities on board both will include laser shows and Xmas concerts, strolling carolers, and a Christmas-themed menu.

Santa will be visiting both ships, handing out gifts to every kid on board aged between 3 and seventeen, and guests can join in beach cricket at the 4 ports including Mystery Island and Noumea. Thirteen twenty-four 94, pocruises.com.au.

Royal trifecta

Cruiseaway has a package combining cruises on all Cunard’s 3 Queens and a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

Dubbed “The Treble Queen Triumph”, the 34-night package departs from Australia on May six with an overnite stay in London ahead of the first cruise : fourteen nights on the Queen Victoria to Russia and the Baltics. The second cruise, on Queen Elizabeth, is a 13-night exploring of the Mediterranean calling at Sardinia, Gibraltar and Monte Carlo, and the third is a five-night cruise to Belgium and France, incorporating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.

All 3 cruises are round trips from Southampton, including an overnite stay between cruises one and two, and the entire package is priced from $9599 an individual twin share, with bonus credit offers. 1300 887 590, cruiseaway.com.au.
Profile : Azamara Quest

LAUNCHED Originally in 2002 as Renaissance Cruises ‘ R 7, then in 2007 as Azamara Search. PASSENGERS 694. REGULAR HAUNTS Far East, Europe, the Caribbean, South America. BEST FOR Couples. THE DETAILS A 17-night cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, departing on February 29, is priced from $4329 an individual twin share. 1300 369 848, ecruising.travel. 1800 754 5 hundred, azamaraclubcruises.com, writes tagza.com.

1. Azamara is dubbed a “luxury lite” composite cruise product that sits between premium and luxury. There are lots of inclusions in the fare such as bottled water, soft drinks and fresh juices, house wines at lunch and dinner, speciality coffees and gratuities.

2. Accommodation ranges from interior staterooms to suites with private balconies. All have a sitting area with a chiller, flat-screen Television and wi-fi. Club Suite guests have extra benefits including butler service, concern check-in, complimentary garment pressing and complimentary seating in speciality trattorias.

3. Discoveries is an open-seating affair, while Windows Cafeteria is an informal, part-alfresco buffet. Prime C and Aqualina are speciality trattorias, each with perspectives and an additional fee of $US15 ($14.50) a head.

4. Other facilities include a spacious sun deck and pool with two jacuzzis, a fitness centre, a spa, an EU style cafeteria, the exclusive Michael’s Club for fidelity programme members and many bars.

5. The dress code on board is always smart casual.