The Biggest Ship Launch in History

The Biggest Ship Launch in History

While the days might be getting longer as winter heads our way, it’s definitely warming up in Europe – with one of the biggest wave seasons ever. For all those lucky Aussies and Kiwis heading to the northern hemisphere, the next six weeks will see half of this year’s scheduled new ships launched. This year … Read more

Royal Caribbean Offers Perfect Selfies

Symphony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is trialing a new social media idea – by putting an Instagrammer onboard its ships to help you take the perfect photos. Onboard Symphony of the Seas, the largest ship in the world, the Instagramer-in- Chief will help guests capture the perfect holiday snaps. The social media app is now one of the … Read more

How Katarina runs the best fleet in Croatia

How Katarina runs the best fleet in Croatia

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] CROATIA is one of the hottest destination this year, and KATARINA line is Croatia’s leading tour operator and premier small ship cruise company. Its fleet of more than 60 small ships offer weekly guaranteed departures from the end of April to mid-October from the major tourist centres of Opatija in Kvarner area, and Split … Read more

Cruise lines desperately seeking more capacity at Port Botany

Cruise lines desperately seeking more capacity at Port Botany

Cruise lines are supporting the idea of utilising Port Botany as an alternative berth due to the lack of space in Sydney Harbour. According to The Daily Telegraph, Sydney’s space issue has forced the government to consider new facilities at Port Botany – which is just a short distance from the city’s dirtiest beach. “The government … Read more

Sapphire Princess emerges from dry dock with new offerings

Sapphire Princess

Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess has emerged from a two-week dry dock in Singapore with upgraded public spaces as well as a new signature logo on her bow. Finishing up a season cruising throughout Asia, Sapphire Princess has embarked on a 28-day voyage from Singapore to London, before beginning her European voyages. “Sapphire Princess is the latest … Read more

Inside the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor

Inside the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor

Upmarket line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled details of its six-star new build, Seven Seas Splendour which has all the bells and whistles of a super-luxurious liner.

Scheduled to debut in early 2020, SS Splendour will have the hallmarks of everything lavish, lush and decadent. Building on the line’s earlier creation, sister ship Seven Seas Explorer, the new SS Splendour is expected to steal the title and be crowned the most luxurious ship in the world.

“When we launched Seven Seas Explorer in 2016, we delivered a new level of elegance to the cruise industry. With Seven Seas Splendour’s upcoming debut, we are focused on perfecting all the details,” said Jason Montague, president and CEO of RSSC.

“Everything on board the ship is designed to provide a sophisticated yet comfortable retreat for our guests and we’re confident that they’ll appreciate the attention to detail that has been put into perfecting the newest ship in our fleet.”

The grand staircase has been redesigned and will face the entrance to the ship’s biggest restaurant, Compass Rose, giving guests a grand sense of arrival.

The popular Coffee Connection has been expanded with a new alfresco seating area, to allow guests the joy of sipping their custom coffee creations while enjoying the ocean breezes.

The all-suite SS Splendour will have 375 distinctive accommodations starting from the 28 sq metre, entry-level Veranda suite to the lavish 413 sq m Regent suite. All come with a balcony including some of the largest in the industry. There will be king-sized beds covered with the finest and sumptuous linens and oversized marble bathrooms. Top suites will include a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, priority restaurant reservations, butler service and daily canapés.

The crown jewel of SS Splendour is the Regent suite, which will have a 132 sq m balcony overlooking the bow of the ship, an opulent bathroom with gold fittings, palatial walk-in closet and private spa and sauna. In port, Regent suite guests will have their own personal car and guide. In addition to the master bedroom, there will be another bedroom and two-and-half bathrooms.

The two-bedroom Master suite is styled like a luxury Park Avenue apartment measuring from 176 sq m to 196 sq m which will have an expansive living area, bar for entertaining and spacious balconies up to 92 sq m in size.

The ship will have a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, shuffleboard, an 18-hole putting green, a golf driving range, a top deck jogging/power walking track, fitness centre and a cooking school.

RSSC is an all-inclusive cruise line which includes the biggest collection of free, unlimited shore excursions, unlimited internet access, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits and ground transfers.

Reservations for SS Splendour’s inaugural season open on April 12 or visit www.rssc.com

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Ultra-luxe cruise line Regent Seven Seas has just completed its multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Seven Seas Mariner.

The stunning ship has just completed a 20-day drydock in Marseille and has emerged with new dining options, elegant and opulent suites as well as completely new guest spaces.

The newly updated steakhouse on Seven Seas Mariner®, Prime 7, has new interiors and fixtures which give the dining area modern and sleek appeal.

The flagship restaurant Compass Rose offers its guests personal customisation and choice, as well as a stunning new look with grand crystal chandeliers, rich wooden accents and celestial blue furnishings.

Replacing Signatures is Chartreuse, already a guest favourite aboard Seven Seas Explorer® and Seven Seas Voyager®.

The restaurant boasts new furnishings, china, flooring and décor, along with a completely new menu that highlights modern French cuisine.

Seven Seas Mariner’s pool deck also received a redesign, with a new open layout and teak flooring throughout. The centrepiece is a new mosaic-tiled pool, featuring a broad ledge for lounging in shallow water and surrounded by plush, white daybeds.

Guests can enjoy expanded lunch selections at the outdoor Pool Grill, including steaks, chops, salmon, chicken and sausage, all prepared to order from new infrared barbeque grills.

Inside, all public spaces received new carpeting, world-class art, furniture and décor, creating a new look throughout the ship.

The Reception area, featuring new marble desks and original gold leaf accented artwork by Atlanta-based artist Tom Swanston. The grand spiral staircase in the atrium is crowned by a new large-scale blown glass art installation designed by Canadian studio Tsunami Glass.

The completely remodelled and relocated library has dark-wood bookshelves with plenty of books to choose from and with doors that can provide a quiet retreat, guests will enjoy relaxing and enriching their minds in the new library.

The previous library space makes way for expanded seating at Coffee Connection and the internet café is now conveniently located at the back of Coffee Connection where guests can make use of the free unlimited internet access.

Outside on deck 6, there is all new teak decking and new sun loungers where guests can soak up the ocean breeze at sunrise or sunset.

The ship’s Canyon Ranch® Spa was also redesigned, featuring pebble-stone tiles and light-wood accents in the treatment rooms. The adjoining fitness and aerobics centre has new state-of-the-art machines and equipment.

Regent has also redesigned all guest suites. The elegantly appointed retreats feature new Elite Slumber™ Beds framed by plush, padded leather headboards, sitting areas furnished with comfortable sofas, accent tables and new artwork, as well as private balconies where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal blue sea and passing landscape.

All suites feature walk-in closets and oversised, marble-accented bathrooms with L’Occitane® amenities. Plus, guests of Penthouse Suites enjoy additional in-suite bath amenities by Guerlain, and Distinctive Suite guests also receive Bottega Veneta.

With her renovations complete, Seven Seas Mariner is repositioning to the Pacific Northwest to take travellers on 15 seven, 10- and 11-night immersive, Alaska itineraries, which alternate departures from Vancouver and Seward.

 

Carnival Legend departs Sydney ahead of $65 million dry dock

Carnival Legend departs Sydney ahead of $65 million dry dock

Carnival Legend sailed out of Sydney Heads last night for her annual northern hemisphere summer season in Alaska, ahead of an exciting dry dock taking place in May 2018.

Carnival is investing A$65 million into Funship 2.0 upgrades that will offer holiday-makers a range of new dining and entertainment features on board. The dry dock will take place in Portland, Oregon in May.

Cruise lovers hoping to be some of the very first to sail on the newly renovated ship can book Carnival Legend’s 18-day return cruise from Hawaii to Sydney, departing Honolulu on 24 September 2018.

This 19-day transpacific will sail via stunning French Polynesia, with ports including Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora, and crossing the international dateline, before arriving back in Sydney.

Carnival Legend’s Australian summer season will start on 13 October 2018.