Cruise & Maritime Voyages is introducing three themed cruises for its upcoming Australian season, including a gin-themed cruise, collaboration with Fringe World as well as a Military History Cruise.

The themed cruises will take place on board CMV’s newest 1,220-passenger ship, Vasco da Gama.

 “We look forward to welcoming our guests onto Vasco da Gama for the first time when she arrives in Australia this December,” says Dean Brazier.

“This season we are eager to welcome gin lovers, foodies, history buffs and arts fiends – some of whom might be enjoying cruising for the first time – on board our ship to experience these uniquely themed cruises.”

The five-night Military History Cruise departs Sydney on December 1, 2019. The Boutique Gin and Culinary Cruise is a seven-night sailing from Adelaide to Fremantle, departing January 6, 2020.

During its Fremantle homeport, Vasco da Gama will also be hosting a one-night in-port festival that is part of Fringe World, Perth’s largest annual festival, on February 1, 2020. It will be the first-ever Fringe show on board a cruise ship.

The line is celebrating its tenth year of operations and offering a range of enticing domestic itineraries on board Vasco da Gama that encourage Australians to explore their own backyard. The ship also offers 40 cabins for solo travellers.

Read below to see what each themed cruise offers:

Fringe on the Water

Fringe performances dreamed up by Fringe World will be hosted on board Vasco da Gama, forming an in-port festival of the Fringe entertainment in Fremantle.

The festival on Saturday, February 1 next year  will include a Fringe World headline act in the main theatre, roving performers in the bars and lounges, live music and DJs into the early hours.

Guests will also be getting overnight accommodation, breakfast and dinner on board, providing a glimpse of life on board CMV to the local audience.

The headline act will be announced this October, with the release of the Fringe World program.

The Boutique Gin and Culinary Cruise

This cruise will showcase the very best local produce from South Australia and Western Australia, says the line.

There were less than ten gin distilleries in Australia five years ago but that has now increased to over a hundred, due to rising popularity.

The line believes that this is the first-ever gin-themed ocean cruise and it will feature cooking demonstrations that showcase the spirits as well as lectures from gin experts from Giniversity and Adelaide Gin.

The gins available on board will primarily be traditional London dry styles, brought to life with native Australian botanicals, from boutique distilleries like Australian Distilling Co and Great Southern Distilling Co.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Cruise & Maritime Voyages for this world-first gin-themed cruise,” says Michael Hickinbotham, founder of Australian Distilling Co.

“Since we launched Adelaide Gin in March, we’ve seen a fantastic response from South Australians who love the floral nature of the gin and the lovely notes of Kangaroo Island lavender. We look forward to showcasing our award-winning gin to those on board Vasco da Gama and allowing them to taste the beautiful and unique spirit of Adelaide,” concludes Mr Hickinbotham.

Military History Cruise

The cruise will feature on board events programmed around Australia’s involvement in past conflicts and the little-known story of how close it was to arriving on our shores. The cruise will also offer shore excursions focussed on visits to historic monuments and memorials in Melbourne.

It will be hosted by Stephen Larkins (OAM), former army major, Order of Australia Medal recipient and Ambassador for the Virtual War Memorial; Alistair Capp, retired lieutenant colonel in the Australian Army Reserve and former commanding officer of Melbourne University Regiment; and Ron Lyons, retired lieutenant colonel from the Australian Army Reserve and respected military historian.

Guests can also expect lectures from ex-military personnel about war and military conflicts along Australia’s southern coast, research workshops with the Virtual War Memorial Australia, as well as war and military-themed trivia, films and get-togethers with former service personnel to share stories.