BRIDGE FROM THE
CRUISECO PRESENTS
ISSUE 59 AUTUMN 2019
CLASSIC STYLE On board Cruise & Maritime Voyages' Vasco da Gama
ASIA BY SEA The best of Azamara Club Cruises' maiden calls in 2019
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE'S
TIMELESS APPEAL
Why the line's innovative Music WalkTM entertainment precinct keeps on striking the right chord with guests WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF YOUR LOCAL CRUISECO CRUISE SPECIALIST
ITINERARY INSIGHT
BOUNTY OF OCEANIA Oceania Cruises offers an entirely new selection of itineraries each year, so the world really is your oyster. WORDS: RODERICK EIME
See traditional lifestyles in Vietnam’s Hanoi (Halong Bay)
Insignia is appointed for comfort
Travel journalist and photographer Roderick Eime has been on a seemingly never-ending cruise for the past 20 years, picking up several awards on the way while filing for major newspapers, magazines and websites.
O
ceania Cruises is known for its exemplary service, exquisite cuisine, well-appointed accommodation and outstanding itineraries. When any one cruise line can tick all those boxes, you’re looking at something extraordinary. Add a relaxed informality and an everchanging catalogue of cruise itineraries— incorporating more than 400 ports across Europe and the Americas—and you start to understand Oceania’s winning formula. It’s one of the reasons why the awardwinning luxury line enjoys one of the highest repeat guest rates in the industry. Oceania’s destination-focused cruising allows more time in port, giving guests the opportunity to immerse themselves
more thoroughly in the culture, history and culinary highlights of each destination. Fifty of the voyages among the line’s new itineraries for 2020 feature overnight stays.
Refreshed and refined The 684-guest Regatta-class vessel Insignia has recently emerged from dry-dock and set off from New York on her 2019 World Cruise, which visits five continents and 90 ports, including 14 overnights. Guests are enjoying a completely refreshed ship that Oceania describes as “better than new”, with major renovations performed on staterooms, suites, dining rooms and public spaces. For example, the Grand Dining Room now features new cream leather dining AUTUMN 2019 13
Walk along the classic Ocean Drive at South Beach, Miami Beach
Insignia will visit Cuba Make an entrance in Insignia’s Grand Hall
Nautica will cruise to Mumbai
Touted as the OceaniaNEXT concept, the upgrade comprises an array of dramatic enhancements. chairs accented with metallic bronze threading and a stunning new crystal chandelier as a defining centrepiece. Touted as the OceaniaNEXT concept, the upgrade comprises an array of dramatic enhancements including the OLife Choice promotion, offering guests their choice of a selection of complimentary amenities such as unlimited internet access, a beverage package, shore excursions or a shipboard credit. Oceania has long prided itself on its superlative open-seating dining, which has won the line ‘best in class’ accolades from the likes of Cruise Critic, Town & Country, Fodor’s Travel and Travel Weekly. Regardless of which itinerary you choose, Oceania will deliver a sublime cruise experience with all its hallmarks: great food, super service and an easy informality, all of which continue to ensure that Oceania Cruises is held in the highest regard among discerning cruise travellers keen to expand their travel and enrichment horizons.
South-East Asia’s charms If you’re looking for an itinerary with soul, then perhaps the 15-night Pagodas & Shrines cruise out of Singapore on Insignia is the one for you. While leisurely, this journey delivers in-depth exploration of some of South-East Asia’s charms. From the bustle of modern Singapore, Saigon and 14 AUTUMN 2019
Bangkok, through the languid beaches of Koh Samui and the otherworldly limestone formations of Ha Long Bay, there’s plenty to intoxicate the lover of Asian culture and spirituality. You may even see flying fish and dolphins on a local boat ride along mangrove-lined Prek Toeuk Sap River in Cambodia’s Ream National Park.
Immersion into the Americas Forty nights from Miami to Santiago de Chile on Insignia will quench the thirst of any traveller longing for wholehearted immersion into the Americas. Dubbed Pacific Crossroads, the itinerary allows you to experience Caribbean, Central, Northern and South American cultures in a voyage that calls in to port 25 days out of 40, offering ample time for you to indulge in the delights of 11 countries.
Arabian Seas, as you please Over 30 fabulous nights Oceania’s ship Nautica will cruise from Dubai to Cape Town on her Serentiy to Safaris itinerary. It’s a classic journey from sands to seas. After wandering bazaars and exploring the history of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Muscat, you’ll have the joy of two relaxing days gliding through the Arabian Sea before arriving in thriving Mumbai—the start of the Indian leg of the journey. With time in Réunion before heading to South Africa, this is a cruise to remember.
CRUISE ITINERARIES Insignia’s 15-night Pagodas & Shrines cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong departs May 9, 2020. Fares start from AU$8780 per person, twin share. Insignia’s 40-night Pacific Crossroads cruise from Miami to Santiago de Chile departs January 8, 2020. Fares start from AU$14,850 per person, twin share. Nautica’s 30-night Serenity to Safaris cruise from Dubai to Cape Town departs on December 7, 2019. Fares start from AU$11,610 per person, twin share. Fares for Cruiseco’s 39-night fly, cruise, stay package start from AU$15,701 per person, twin share and include: Economy Class airfares from Australia to Dubai, returning from Cape Town; 2-night pre-cruise stay at the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Hotel, including breakfast; 30-night cruise from Dubai to Cape Town on board Nautica; 3-night post-cruise stay at the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town hotel, including breakfast; all main meals, entertainment and crew gratuities on board (excludes specialty restaurants); port, hotel and airport transfers; and port charges, government fees and air taxes.
IN CLASSIC STYLE After years as the successful alternative line for classic cruisers, Cruise & Maritime Voyages introduces the lush Vasco da Gama to its many Australian fans. WORDS: RODERICK EIME
Travel journalist and photographer Roderick Eime has been on a seemingly never-ending cruise for the past 20 years, picking up several awards on the way while filing for major newspapers, magazines and websites.
P
erhaps it’s a sign of the times when discerning cruise guests choose more intimate and personal cruise options such as those offered by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), as opposed to the big bling and razzmatazz of larger cruise ships. CMV has enjoyed substantial growth in recent years thanks to its guests’ restrained tastes and desire for less ostentatious vessels. Large public spaces and attention to detail with respect to bars, spas and quality specialty dining are the focus of CMV. CMV’s ships carry between 550 and 1400 guests. While Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo and Astoria operate as adults-only ships (unless stated otherwise), Vasco da Gama is a multi-generational ship. Guests are welcome to bring their family on board, but there are no kids’ clubs or child-minding services available.
line Holland America Line, and after a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2015, the ship accommodates just 1220 guests, making Vasco da Gama ideal in every way for the CMV fleet. Of the ship’s 630 staterooms, 80 per cent will have ocean views. Accommodations on board are graded according to size, deck and position. The largest, the Royal Penthouse Suite, is a massive 101.73 square metres, while the average stateroom size is just under 19 square metres. Naturally, every stateroom is air-conditioned and is fitted with a TV, telephone, hairdryer and personal safe. A big feature of cruising on Vasco da Gama will be dining. For a value-based cruise line, CMV has received excellent
reviews, especially for its ships’ specialty restaurants. Vasco da Gama has three main Waterfront-branded restaurants: Waterfront Restaurant, Waterfront Mediterranean and Waterfront Eurasia. It operates a ‘flexible’ dining policy, not restricting guests to specific sittings. The ship’s two specialty restaurants are The Grill and Chef’s Table; dining at each incurs a small surcharge. Convenient and informal buffet-style meals are available at Club Bistro. Vasco da Gama has five lounge bars and four entertainment venues, as well as The Dome and Hollywood’s, the latter a two-tiered show lounge. The Blue Room features live music, and there’s also a casino, library, card room and shopping galleria. Relax and rejuvenate in the
On board Vasco da Gama As with the other vessels in the CMV fleet, Vasco da Gama was named by past guests after a famous explorer, while the vessel itself is best known to Australians as a former P&O Cruises Australia ship. Originally built for the premium cruise
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NEARLY OF ALL CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES' GUESTS ARE REPEAT CRUISERS
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Waterfront Mediterranean is one of three Waterfronts on board
SMALL SHIP Dine at the Chef’s Table
CRUISE ITINERARY Join Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ new ship Vasco da Gama as she sails her maiden summer season around Australia. The 4-night South Australian Icons roundtrip cruise departs Adelaide on December 17, 2019. Ports of call include Wallaroo, Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island. Fares start from AU$560 per person, twin share.
WALLAROO PORT LINCOLN
ADELAIDE KANGAROO ISLAND
Relax in comfort
ship’s Wellness Centre, or work off some kilojoules in the onboard gym.
Explore Geraldton, Western Australia
A maiden season of sun and frolic After Vasco da Gama arrives in Australian waters in December this year following a transpacific repositioning, she will sail out of Fremantle and Adelaide for the Australian summer season, replacing the much-loved but older Astor. A leisurely season of sun and frolic includes visits to oft-overlooked Australian destinations such as Kangaroo Island, Wallaroo, Port Lincoln, Geraldton, Albany and Esperance, where CMV guests will experience wildlife, culinary and scenic pleasures few other cruisers enjoy: succulent oysters on the Eyre Peninsula, the delightful sea lions of Kangaroo Island, the rich and tragic maritime history of Geraldton and more. In February 2020, Vasco da Gama departs Fremantle for her European engagements with an extensive cruise over 70 nights that takes in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, the Middle East and the Mediterranean before arriving in Tilbury (London). For those seeking relaxation and a proper, stress-free holiday, CMV offers a true alternative.
Nearly 80 per cent of staterooms have ocean views
Enjoy the summer sun
Catch live music in the Blue Room
FACT FILE Kangaroo Island’s sea lions are waiting to say hello
Cruise line: Cruise and Maritime Voyages Vessel: Vasco da Gama Maximum guest capacity: 1220 GRT: 55,877 Entered service: rebuilt 1993, refurbished 2015 Facilities: Three main Waterfront restaurants, two specialty restaurants, five lounge bars, four entertainment venues as well as The Dome, Hollywood’s and The Blue Room, library and casino. AUTUMN 2019 29