Cruise & Maritime Voyages itineraries for new ship launch

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) today announced its new ship Vasco da Gama will sail from Singapore to London and London to Sydney in 2019 before launching its inaugural Australian cruise season. Passengers can choose from a range of options along the routes of up to 55 nights with bookings open from Thursday 17 May 2018.

The ship's exciting 44-night Maiden Voyage from Singapore to London will include Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Jordan, Egypt and the iconic passage through the Suez Canal. The cruise will continue to Israel and around the best of the Mediterranean, finishing with Morocco and Portugal before docking in London. Guests wanting more can stay aboard and disembark in Amsterdam (Netherlands) or Bremerhaven (Germany).

Vasco da Gama's 53-night Inaugural Southbound voyage will depart London on 9 October 2019. The Southbound cruise includes 16 ports of call in countries such as Morocco, Barbados, Mexico and New Zealand before arriving in Sydney.

"Our special Southbound voyage will appeal to cruise devotees and discerning travellers alike; we've had unprecedented interest in the new Vasco da Gama from our customers and agents since announcing the acquisition in March," said Dean Brazier, Managing Director of CMV Australia.

"Passengers will have the opportunity to transit the Panama Canal and cross the equator in an experience reminiscent of the grand days of cruising – but with all the mod cons of a contemporary ship.

"Vasco da Gama offers two gorgeous pools, the state-of-the-art Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, a two-tiered theatre, and five inviting bars and lounges. Six dining venues feature cuisine from around the world – The Grill's succulent steaks are expected to be a hit with passengers, and the 'Chef's Table' will provide a degustation menu plus an insight into the workings of the galley.

"The ship's country club ambiance will be suited to couples, groups and solo travellers wishing to explore some of the most fascinating cities in the world while enjoying the comforts of a quality cruise – all among good company. These voyages should be on everyone's bucket lists and we expect them to sell-out quickly," said Mr Brazier.

CMV has launched a 'SELL & SET SAIL' promotion for travel agents. The winner and a friend will spend five nights aboard Vasco da Gama during its inaugural Australian Season in 2019/2020.

The agent who books the highest number of cabins on Vasco da Gama's Maiden Voyages or Inaugural Southbound Voyages by 30 June 2018 will be selected. Register at CMVAustralia.com/SailFree.

Vasco da Gama compliments CMV's Astor, which has been in the Australian market for six years. The new ship will offer more onboard facilities and increased passenger capacity with CMV's hallmark personalised service, while the Astor will maintain its appeal as a boutique and intimate cruising experience.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages will acquire Pacific Eden from P&O Australia in April 2019 and the ship will be dry docked in Singapore before beginning its maiden voyage on 23 April. The vessel will be refreshed while in Singapore and undergo its Vasco da Gama 'makeover' (named after the famous Portuguese explorer and navigator).

London to Sydney cruise-only fares start from AU$6,899 per person twin share for an inside cabin (53 nights), which includes up to AU$2,200 free on-board credit per cabin – for bookings made up until 31 July 2018 – to allow guests to experience even more of the new ship. Singapore to London cruise-only fares start from AU$5,399 per person twin share (44 nights).

Vasco da Gama will be deployed and dedicated to both the German and Australasian cruise markets. During the European summer (May-October) the ship will operate under CMV's German brand, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten, homeporting from both Bremerhaven and Kiel; and during the Australian summer season (December-March) will sail from Fremantle and Adelaide.

For further information, customers can contact their travel agent or register their interest at CMVAustralia.com/Register. To begin selling the cruises, agents can contact their local CMV Sales Representative.

Silversea orders Silver Dawn

She will be the third ship of the Silver Muse class

Silversea Cruises has awarded Fincantieri with an order for another ultra-luxury cruise ship, with delivery scheduled for Q4 2021. The contract is valued at over €320 million (AUD$507.3 million).

Named Silver Dawn, the new vessel will be a sister ship of Silversea's flagship, Silver Muse, which was launched from the Fincantieri shipyard of Sestri Ponente (Genoa) in April 2017 and was welcomed with great acclaim by guests. Silversea has therefore committed to constructing a new ship that will share Silver Muse's ultra-luxury qualities.

The order of Silver Dawn comes just months after the cruise line signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of Silver Moon, another sister ship to Silver Muse, which is due to be delivered in 2020. Part of the cruise line's expansion plan, the fleet's eleventh ship – the third ship in the Muse-class series – will strengthen the strategic musification of Silversea's fleet.

Silver Dawn will benefit from the same sense of intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodation options that characterise all Silversea vessels. Providing superlative comfort and an enhanced on-board experience, she will unlock authentic travel experiences for Silversea's discerning guests in the world's most spectacular destinations.

"Following the extraordinary success of Silver Muse, we are delighted to announce Silver Dawn as the eleventh ship to join the Silversea fleet," comments Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Silversea's Chairman. "Silver Dawn will bear the same hallmarks of quality that guests currently enjoy on our 6-star ships. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard in November 2021. It was my father's dream to grow Silversea to at least a 12-ship fleet; today, we are one step closer to fulfilling his vision".

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: "It is a great satisfaction for our Group to see an ambitious project like Silver Muse establish itself on the market and get the highest appreciation from an exclusive and demanding customer like Silversea, that today confirms his trust in us. Thanks to this partnership, based on the quality of the product, our leadership position in the cruise sector is further strengthened, not only from a technological point of view, but also for the commercial ability to find the best agreement with the shipowner".

Fincantieri has built 82 cruise ships from 1990 to today (59 from 2002), while another 44 are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.

www.silversea.com

Asia's Dream Cruises heading Down Under

Dream Cruises is working to build up the Australian market to allow it to bring a Global Class vessel to local waters in 2021.

At 204,000 tonnes, the Global class would be larger than the 168,666-tonne Ovation of the Seas, which currently holds the title for the largest cruise ship to ever sail in Australian waters.

Dream Cruises are aiming to bring the ship down under in 2021 and firm deployment plans would have to be ready by 2019.

Sydney and Melbourne have been pinpointed as potential ports for the Global class, with Dream Cruises emphasising it would have to be a major city which could support the ship’s capacity for up to 9,000 people, including crew.

Dream Cruises would target a mix of Australian guests and fly-cruise, anticipating a split of 50-60% local cruisers and the remaining from international passengers.

Construction is underway on the first of two Global class ships on order with shipyard MV Werften, with delivery slated for late 2020 and 2021.

Windstar Cruises - New Sommeliers, Beverage Experts and Beverage Package Enticements on Star Collector Voyages

Windstar Cruises Announces Sommeliers on Four Ships, Beverage Experts on James Beard Culinary Cruises and Beverage Package Enticements on Longer Star Collector Voyages

Small ship cruise line, Windstar Cruises has hired a team of Sommeliers to serve guests on sailings in 270 ports around the world.

These new wine experts provide a major guest enhancement as the northern Summer cruise season begins and builds on the trend for ongoing fleet-wide enhancements to Windstar's wine, beverage and culinary programs in 2018.