Cruise and Travel Magazine with John Pond 24 July 2015

Cruise and Travel Magazine with John Pond 24 July 2015.

Cruise and Travel Magazine with John Pond 24 July 2015

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Receive Awards. At National Travel Industry Awards the largest operator in Sydney, Royal Caribbean International, was awarded Best Cruise Operator – International, while the highest-rated cruise brand in Australia*, Celebrity Cruises, won Best Cruise Ship – Domestic with Celebrity Solstice.

Royal Caribbean was also a finalist in the Best Cruise Ship – Domestic category, with two ships nominated, Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas, meanwhile Celebrity Cruises received a finalist nod for the Best Cruise Operator – International category. “Our travel agent partners play a huge role in the success of our cruise brands sailing in Australia,” said Sean Treacy, commercial director, RCL Cruises, Australia & South East Asia. “It is a great honour that the high quality of cruise offering from Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International has been recognised and we are truly grateful to the industry for their ongoing support.”

Insider Journeys wins ‘Best Specialty Wholesaler’. Insider Journeys has been awarded the ‘Best Speciality Wholesaler’ at the premier travel industry event of the year, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA). Acknowledged for its Asian expertise, Insider Journeys’ scooped the category which recognises the highest Australian standards of excellence in a company which packages international or domestic products. Managing Director and Co-Founder, Paul Hole says the company is honoured to receive this recognition from AFTA.

First-Ever American Female Captain. For the first time in the cruise industry – and in Celebrity Cruises’ history – an American female will take the helm of a mega-ton cruise ship. At 37 years of age, San Francisco native Kate McCue will command Celebrity Summit– a 91,000-ton, 294 metre ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, sailing between the eastern United States and Bermuda.

The modern luxury cruise brand, which operates a fleet of 10 ships, has elevated McCue to the position of Captain based on her 15 years of successful experience and leadership in the maritime industry. During her tenure, McCue has managed ship logistics while sailing worldwide itineraries, including Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and along the Panama Canal.

MSC to host 1.1 million passengers on board its ships across the continent. The recently published 2015-2016 Cruise Industry News Annual Report declared MSC Cruises the number one cruise line in Europe, including in the Mediterranean. The Report, which is one of the most reputable sources of information for the industry, stated that MSC Cruises conquered the leading rank in the industry thanks to a deployed capacity across the Continent of about 1.1 million passengers.

MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato commented: “We are particularly proud of this achievement. For it, we wish to thank all our guests whom with their choice recognised the quality of our product and offering thus making MSC Cruises the number one cruise line now also in Europe.”

Prague Dining at Four Seasons. Four Seasons Hotel Prague is introducing a unique new dining experience for its Hotel guests this summer season. Couples can enjoy a memorable private evening on the Hotel´s rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of Prague while indulging in a delicious Italian menu created by CottoCrudo restaurant chefs. Petr Zezula, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Prague, comments: “Our rooftop terrace on the 5th floor is quite a unique venue, and the best way to enjoy it is during a private dining at sunset. The view of the city at this time of the day is just stunning.  So far, we are receiving great responses from our guests, and the terrace is now booked almost every evening.  It is a perfect set up for a romantic dinner – the couple has the terrace and the city only for themselves!”

The private dinner for two can be booked with the Hotel Concierge team or CottoCrudo Restaurant.

Star Cruises Down Under. TO CELEBRATE the arrival of Star Cruises to Australia, Cruiseabout is offering travellers the choice between a bonus dining or bonus beverage package. The deal is compatible with a range of Star Cruises including the 16-night fly-stay-cruise package aboard the Superstar Virgo that includes one-way airfare to Hong Kong, two nights’ four-star pre-cruise accommodation and a 14-night cruise to Freemantle. Highlight stops along the way include Sanya, Denang, Ho Chi Minh City, a two-night stop in Singapore, Jakarta and Geraldton.

Price also includes private hotel transfers, pre-paid visas for Vietnam and Indonesia and all main meals and entertainment on the cruise. Valid for sale until 15 August 2015.  For travel 15 November 2015. Phone Cruiseabout on 1300 450 133 and quote deal code 3745595 or see www.cruiseabout.com.au for more details.

First Ever Extreme Bike Tour to Cuba. For Riders and also pillion passengers, adventure seekers have a brand new destination to explore by motorbike, with one of the world’s leading motorcycle tour companies, Extreme Bike Tours, launching its first-ever Cuban tour in 2016.

The first tour outside Asia offered by the company since its formation by adrenalin provider, Zander Combe, in 2011, the new 13-day Cuba Motorcycle tour will have two departures in 2016 – February 21 and March 6. Adventurers will enjoy the personalised, small-group feel as they ride a Harley Davidson, BMW 800cc or Suzuki VStrom across the exotic Caribbean island.

The tour will begin in Havana, where riders and pillion passengers will be able to walk the cobblestoned streets of Cuba’s colourful capital and see the Spanish colonial architecture, before picking up the bikes and riding out to the former residence of author Ernest Hemingway and passing through Revolution Square. The next day will see riders journey on the coastal roads to the National park at Las Terazzas where they can have a swim in the river and ponds. After returning to Havana, bikers will ride to the World Heritage City of Trinidad, visiting the Bay of Pigs museum on the way. From Trinidad, bikers will journey to Santiago de Cuba and Santa Clara, before finally returning to Havana.

The guided, 13-day trip will include about four to six hours of riding each day, and is open to licensed motorcyclists as well as pillion passengers riding on a bike or in the support vehicle. The package includes accommodation, seven dinners, three lunches, fuel and motorbike hire. The tour costs US$5975 per rider or US$4250 per pillion passenger. For details, visit www.extremebiketours.com

All offers subject to availability. Terms and conditions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions.

PHOTOS:

Sean Treacy Royal Caribbean     Insider Journey’s Paul Hole with John Pond

First American Female Captain. Dining at Prague Four Seasons.

Cuba on a Motor Bike.