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Viking launches 2011 season earlybirds

11 March 2010 Viking River Cruises has released dates and prices for 2011 departures on more than a dozen of its Europe, Russia and Egypt itineraries.

Athena ends sixth Australian season

11 March 2010 Popular cruise liner, Athena, will leave Perth and sail back to Europe this weekend, bringing to an end Classic International Cruises’ sixth annual summer season in Western Australia.

Earlybirds for European rivers

11 March 2010 Avalon Waterways has unveiled a new round of earlybird deals to celebrate its 2010 season of European river cruises, offering a choice of free flights, free upgrades and free city-stays.

Queen Mary 2 returns to Sydney

8 March 2010 The largest ship to ever visit Australia, Cunard’s magnificent Queen Mary 2, arrived in Sydney in spectacular fashion yesterday, with a flotilla of pleasure craft escorting her to berth.

MSC Cruises celebrates newest arrival

8 March 2010 International mega-star, Sophia Loren christened the newest jewel in the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Magnifica, over the weekend at a high-profile event in Hamburg.

Queen calls into Exmouth

4 March 2010 The north west township of Exmouth saw a rare visit from royalty this week when superliner, Queen Victoria, anchored offshore for a port call to explore local attractions and world-famous Ningaloo Reef.

MSC Cruises adds to fleet

3 March 2010 MSC Cruises has signed a letter of intent for the delivery of a new ship in June 2012, joining the 11 new vessels built in the last seven years.

APT cruises with 2011 Europe river earlybird

3 March 2010 APT is launching its 2011 European River Cruise season with a new earlybird offer that freezes prices at 2010 levels.

Fremantle welcomes Cunard’s Queen Victoria

1 March 2010 Fremantle has welcomed Cunard’s Queen Victoria, as the superliner called into the port city as part of her inaugural visit to Western Australia.

Cruise season peaks with record ships

25 February 2010 The Australian cruise season is hitting its peak, with 11 ships from Carnival Australia’s fleets making 45 calls to Australian ports over a two week period.

Seabourn sails in new level of luxury

24 February 2010 One of the world’s most luxurious vessels, Seabourn Odyssey, sailed into Sydney for the first time this morning, wowing as part of its inaugural 108-day world cruise.

MSC cruises hits high notes

24 February 2010 Europe’s largest cruise operator, MSC Cruises has again been honored with high ratings in the latest edition of the internationally acclaimed Berlitz ‘Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise ships’, authored by world shipping guru, Douglas Ward.

Carnival ship returns to former glory

24 February 2010 After a major renovation and refurbishment, the 2974-passenger Carnival Glory has returned to service, sailing a new schedule of Caribbean sailings from Miami.

Canadian soprano named Avalon Waterways latest godmother

23 February 2010 Avalon Waterways has announced that Canadian soprano, Measha Brueggergosman, will be Godmother of its latest ship, Avalon Felicity, which will be named in a ceremony in the Netherlands fishing village of Volendam on 27 March.

APT to launch eighth rivership

22 February 2010 APT is set to launch its newest European rivership in 2011, taking the fleet to eight.

Royal Caribbean to port second ship in Sydney

18 February 2010 Royal Caribbean International will double the number of ships it sails from Australia next year, when it bases its second superliner in Sydney.

Queen Victoria to turn pink in Sydney

18 February 2010 In a stunning world first, Cunard has announced that its spectacular liner, Queen Victoria, will be illuminated in pink when she spends the night at Sydney’s Circular Quay tomorrow.

MSC offers two-for-one cruise deals

17 February 2010 Europe’s largest cruise company, MSC Cruises is offering a special promotion offering two people the opportunity to cruise for the price of one.

Royal Caribbean books biggest Australian January

16 February 2010 Royal Caribbean has reported its biggest sales month on record in Australia.

Carnival Australia goes up in lights

15 February 2010 Carnival Australia has now become a permanent part of the Sydney skyline, with the cruise company’s name going up in lights on its new premises at North Sydney last week.

Newest cruise explores oldest civilisations

9 February 2010 It’s a case of going back to the future for a new Mediterranean cruise program which sails a modern luxury cruiser to discover the secrets of some of the world’s most oldest and most fascinating civilisations.

Allure sails one week early

9 February 2010 Royal Caribbean International has brought forward its inaugural season for Allure of the Seas’, with the ship now sailing one week earlier than originally planned.

Pacific Sun launches 2011 WA season

8 February 2010 P&O Cruises has launched its latest program of Western Australia cruises for 2011, with a range of cruises from three to 17 nights.

Bonus commissions on March sailings

1 February 2010 Creative Cruising is offering an extra two percent bonus commission to agents on any cruise ship holidays sold for its March 2010 departures.

Silversea expands culinary enrichment school

1 February 2010 Silversea Cruises is introducing a new dimension to its onboard enrichment lecture series, with an exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux.

Carnival returns to Europe in 2011

29 January 2010 Carnival Cruise Lines is set to return to Europe in 2011 with its first full season of Mediterranean cruises in three years.

Blue Lagoon Cruises to retire MV Nanuya Princess

27 January 2010 Fiji’s iconic Blue Lagoon Cruises has announced it will officially retire its popular cruiser, MV Nanuya Princess.

Athena sails into Adelaide for 2010 season

26 January 2010 Classic International Cruises’ flagship, Athena has commenced its South Australian deployment with an extended season that will see the ship sail from Adelaide for almost one month.

Cruise awards highlight Australia’s best

25 January 2010 More than 360 cruise industry members gathered in Sydney over the weekend to celebrate the 2009 International Cruise Council Australasia’s awards.

Carnival donates $5 Million to Haiti relief

20 January 2010 Carnival Corporation and its affiliated cruise brands are donating at least US$5 million toward relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

P&O Cruises adds more World Voyages

19 January 2010 P&O Cruises World Voyages has expanded its 2010 cruise program, offering Australians an unprecedented choice of four ships sailing on adventures across the world.

APT invites agents to ship launch

18 January 2010 APT is offering agents the opportunity to join the christening of its newest river cruiser, ‘ms Amabella’ at Amsterdam in May 2010.

Big savings on Alaska

14 January 2010 Adventure World is offering discounts of US$600 per couple, plus a shipboard credit of US$100 each, on Alaska cruises operated by Cruise West.

Fly free with Europe river cruises

13 January 2010 APT is offering new deals combining free international flights for travellers booking the company’s European river cruise program.

New deals from P&O Cruises

13 January 2010 P&O Cruises is celebrating its newly expanded fleet with the release of new deals on cruises from mid-2010.

Royal Caribbean extends earlybirds

11 January 2010 Royal Caribbean International has extended its earlybird pricing until 28 February 2010, with further savings offered on selected sailings aboard popular mega-liner, Rhapsody of the Seas, for its summer 2010-2011 sailings.

Costa Cruises names newest ship

8 January 2010 Costa Cruises has confirmed it will name its newest ship, Costa Deliziosa, at a ceremony in Dubai on 23 February.

Hurtigruten cuts 20 percent of Norway cruise

8 January 2010 Hurtigruten is big savings on its iconic northern Europe cruises, with the chance to save up to 20 percent on selected sailings and cabin categories for its ‘Classic Round Voyage’.

Discounted Med sailings

7 January 2010 Luxury sail-cruise company, Star Clippers, has launched a new 14-night cruise itinerary aboard its four-masted clipper ship, Star Flyer, which takes in many of the Mediterranean’s most famous holiday playgrounds.

Uniworld launches Nile brochure

31 December Boutique river cruise specialist, Uniworld, has released its 2010 Egypt & the Nile brochure, featuring more than 150 sailings across three cruise itineraries.

Silver Spirit departs on maiden voyage

30 December Silversea Cruises' newest ultra-luxury ship, Silver Spirit, has set sail on its maiden voyage, an 11-day "Holiday Spirit" cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon.

Save up to 69 percent on luxury cruise

29 December Cruise Express has launched last minute discounts of up to 69 percent on sailings to and from Australia aboard the traditional English liner, Balmoral, with luxury cruises now available from only $74 a day, including 10 courses of food a day and entertainment.

Pacific Sun remembers HMAS Sydney

23 December Passengers and crew aboard P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun paused to commemorate one of Australia’s most mysterious wartime tragedies – the loss of HMAS Sydney.

Travelmarvel extends fly-free deal on Europe river cruises

17 December Travelmarvel has extended its fly free to Europe offer until 28 February, for bookings on its European river cruise packages in 2010.

Silversea takes on new Spirit

16 December Ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea has taken delivery of its newest ship, which will set a new standard for service and experiences across the fleet.

Silversea launches new spa concept

15 December Silversea cruises is preparing to launch a new onboard spa concept when its latest ship sets sail later this month.

P&O Cruises launches new Jewel

14 December P&O Cruises launched its latest superliner Pacific Jewel in Sydney in a spectacular ceremony on Saturday night, marking the continued growth of the Australian cruise industry.

Discounts on 70 Mediterranean cruises

14 December Star Clippers has launched a 10 percent early booking discount across the cruise lines entire range of European cruises.

Royal Caribbean celebrates first Australia birthday

11 December Royal Caribbean Cruises Australia has celebrated its first birthday, with a busy year behind and another ahead.

MSC Cruises adds scent to cruises

10 December MSC Cruises has taken a unique step in p;roduct differentiation with the addition of ‘scent’ to its cruise experiences.

Steve Jacobs to host ICCA awards

2 December Well known morning television personality, Steve Jacobs, will be the host of the International Cruise Council Australasia’s 2009 Awards night in Sydney in January.

Oasis gets seven godmothers

2 December The world’s largest cruise ship has been given the world’s largest number of Godmothers, with Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, blessed with seven godmothers.

Viking named world’s best

1 December Viking River Cruises has been named World’s Leading River Cruise Operator in the prestigious World Travel Awards.

National Geographic partners with Hurtigruten

27 November National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) and the Norwegian coastal liner, Hurtigruten, have signed a cooperation agreement to enhance Hurtigruten’s destinations along the Norwegian coast.

Beyond offers more commission

26 November Beyond Travel is offering a last chance for agents to increase commission by at least $460 on a twin share Russian river cruise when booking the current ‘Free Flights to Russia’ promotion.

Bids open for Pacific Jewel guest list

25 November P&O Cruises is offering cruise fans the chance to attend the VIP launch of its latest superliner, Pacific Jewel, on 12 December.

Queen Elizabeth receives her name

24 November Progress continues on Cunard’s latest mega-liner, with the newest ship – Queen Elizabeth - receiving her name.

Avalon Waterways doubles agents rewards

19 November Luxury river cruise operator, Avalon Waterways, is offering travel agents double ‘Passport to Rewards’ points for all bookings on its special ambassador’s cruise in France this northern spring.

Dreaming of a white ‘haven’ Christmas

19 November Queensland sailing holiday operator, Sunsail Sailing Holidays, is offering a white Christmas with a difference with an exclusive Christmas Day barbeque on Whitehaven beach in the Whitsundays.

Viking named among world’s best

19 November Viking River Cruises has been named as one of the world’s best cruise line by readers of luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Jewel gets a make-over

18 November Two days after entering dry-dock in Singapore, Ocean Village 2, has been swarmed by more than 600 contractors and shipyard workers as well as 250 crew who are now working to convert the ship into Australia's latest superliner, Pacific Jewel.

Dragonfly Africa Joins Cruise Council

18 November The International Cruise Council Australasia has added destination management company Dragonfly Africa to its growing associate member ranks.

Avalon Waterways adds free city stays

16 November European river cruise operator, Avalon Waterways, is offering a range of free four-day add-ons to some of the most seductive destinations in Europe as part of its 2010 river cruise program.

Follow creation of Pacific Jewel online

16 November P&O Cruises is inviting cruise enthusiasts to watch the creation of its latest superliner with the refurbishment of Pacific Jewel to be unveiled, via an online journal.

Big savings on Cruise West world sectors

16 November Cruise West has slashed the cost on the 24 individual cruises that combine to make up the cruise line’s 335-day circumnavigation of the world cruise.

Free upgrades for Blue Lagoon

16 November Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a free ‘Gold Cruise’ upgrade on all four-day ‘Club’ cruises booked for travel before 31 March 2010.

P&O raises the bar for 2010-11 season

11 November P&O Cruises has released details of its new 2010-11 program packed with cruising firsts, including two ships sailing from Brisbane in 2011 and a new season of summer cruising from Newcastle.

Carnival operates Seattle as Alaska gateway

10 November Carnival Cruise Lines will be making changes to its Alaska sailings from May 2010, with new seven-night sailings from Seattle to Alaska.

Celebrate Christmas with a difference

10 November Coral Princess cruises has packaged a cruise program that will turn this Christmas and New Year into an unforgettable experience.

Le Boreal prepares for sea trials

6 November One of the world’s most stylish cruise ships has been successfully launched and floated from dry dock in preparation for sea trials in January 2010.

Bargain priced cruise weekend for WA

4 November Classic International cruises has launched a new two night weekend itinerary sailing from Fremantle that can double as a Christmas party, or a short break before the busy Christmas period.

30 percent off Blue Lagoon cruises

2 November Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering huge savings on all three, four and seven-day Yasawa Islands cruise programs with the release of a 30 per cent early bird discount.

Huge savings on APT cruises

2 November APT Cruises is offering savings of up to $1000 per couple and free tickets to an Andre Rieu concert in Vienna for bookings aboard the 23 and 25 May departures of its 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ river cruises from Budapest to Amsterdam.

Tickets on sale for Cruise Council Awards night

29 October The International Cruise Council Australasia has released details of its 2009 Awards with tickets now available at http://www.cruising.org.au/industryawards.

Governor-General to launch Pacific Jewel

29 October P&O Cruises has confirmed the Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, will officially name its latest superliner, Pacific Jewel, in a spectacular ceremony at Sydney’s Circular Quay on 12 December.

Celebrity releases 2010-11 brochure

29 October Celebrity Cruises has launched its latest brochure, with 76 pages of inspiring cruise itineraries from around the world.

New PNG cruise with Coral Princess

22 October Coral Princess’s Oceanic Discoverer is set to venture deeper into the wilds of Papua New Guinea with new 10 and 12-night expedition-style cruises in 2010-2011.

CIC announces biggest ever cruise season

21 October Classic International Cruises has announced its flagship, Athena, will return to Western Australia and South Australia for the 2010/11 summer to offer the company’s longest-ever program in Australia.

P&O Cruises to launch Pacific Pearl in Auckland

16 October P&O Cruises will launch its latest superliner, Pacific Pearl, in Auckland, in an historic first which recognises the growing popularity of cruising in New Zealand.

New Antarctica cruise program for A&K

16 October 2009 Luxury tour operator, Abercrombie & Kent has taken the covers off its latest Antarctica program, with a series of cruises aboard one of the world’s newest ultra-luxury yachts.

Kids cruise free to Bali for Christmas holidays

13 October Classic International Cruises has launched a new cruise package for Christmas holidays where children up to 18nyears old cruise free, paying only taxes and port charges.

New US cruise deals on Carnival

12 October With record low airfares to the United States, Carnival Cruise Lines is launching new packages to encourage Australians to explore the attractions of the Mexican Riviera aboard Carnival Splendor.

SeaDream offers bonus rooms for groups

6 October SeaDream Yacht Club is giving agents who make group bookings a special bonus,with every seventh room offered free on select sailings in the Mediterranean, with every fifth stateroom free on select sailings in the Caribbean in 2010.

Peregrine launches Polar program

5 October Peregrine Adventures, in partnership with sister company, Quark Expeditions, has launched its 2010-2011 ‘Antarctica & the High Arctic’ brochure, which includes the most comprehensive polar cruise program available in Australia.

MSC takes Yacht Club online

2 October MSC Cruises has taken its Yacht Club experience online, with a new interactive web-technology that allows passengers to experience the luxury of this exclusive onboard domain.

P&O Cruises sails in Samoan relief

2 October P&O Cruises has assisted the Red Cross in relief efforts for earthquake and tsunami victims in the South Pacific by donating 740 pillows, with the promise of mattresses, more pillows and hundreds of light bulbs to come.

MSC redeploys ocean giants

23 September MSC Cruise has announced a vessel deployment change for two of its Musica-class ships for the 2010-11 cruise season.

Last minute cruise deals for Tahiti

21 September Air Tahiti Nui has teamed with specialist cruise partner, ecruising.travel, to offer two discounted Tahiti fly-cruise packages, for departures until November 2009.

P&O Cruises recruits from the South Pacific

17 September P&O Cruises is strengthening its commitment to the South Pacific with the launch of a crew recruitment program in the region.

Beyond Travel enhances river cruise program

14 September European river cruise operator, Beyond Travel, has added a number of exclusive incentives to its new Waterways Beyond brochure for 2010.

Oasis set to sail

14 September Royal Caribbean is on schedule to launch its massive mega-liner, Oasis of the Seas, in December 2009.

Dawn Princess pays respects in Anzac Cove

11 September Superliner, Dawn Princess, has made its maiden visit to Turkey’s Anzac Cove, with hundreds of Australian and New Zealand passengers taking part in an emotional memorial service as the ship sailed the historic waters.

Star Clippers sets sail

10 September Star Clippers has launched its latest 2010 brochure offering 40 new ports of call as well as its first ever ocean-crossing voyages.

Viking launches new river cruises

9 September Viking River Cruises has launched its 2009-10 tour program with some voyages offering savings of $2300.

Le Boreal to sail in May 2010

8 September Luxury cruise company, Compagnie du Ponant has announced the arrival of its most state-of-the-art ship yet, the new luxury cruising yacht, Le Boreal.

Gecko cuts 25 percent off Galapagos Cruises

7 September Gecko’s Adventures is offering 25 percent off selected Galapagos cruises departing between 1 October1 and 31 December 2009, giving budget-conscious travellers the opportunity to see some of the world’s most amazing wildlife.

Blue Lagoon cruises to dateline

7 September Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering discounted rates on the last remaining ‘Historical & Cultural Dateline Cruises’ it has scheduled for 2009.

HAL launches circumnavigation program

3 September Travel the World and Holland America Line have announced a 34-night circumnavigation voyage of Australia on board ms Volendam in 2010.

HAL launches South Pacific mega-voyage

2 September Holland America Line will close its 2009-10 summer season in Australia with a 26-night cruise exploring the Pacific, from Sydney to Vancouver.

MSC upgrades for free

2 September MSC Cruises has released a range of cabin upgrade packages in the Mediterranean for travel in November and December 2009.

Viking launches Australian website

1 September Viking River Cruises has launched a dedicated Australian website for its river cruise products.

Cruise boom for Christmas Island

1 September Carnival Australia has today confirmed that it will operate cruise itineraries to Christmas Island, following the federal government’s decision to invest $3.5 million in improving mooring facilities on the island.

Gay cruise proves a success

25 August A special charter of Classic International Cruises’ Australian liner, Athena, for use on a three-day gay cruise has proved a success with more than half the cabins on the weekend cruise already sold.

Blue Lagoon launches new Yasawa ‘island hop’

25 August Blue Lagoon Cruises has diversified its overall product range with the launch of a new multi-tiered series of ‘island hopping’ options in the region.

Join Pacific Jewel’s Journey Online

21 August Get to know Australia’s latest superliner, Pacific Jewel, by following a new blog launched by P&O Cruises, at pacificjewel.pocruises.com.au.

Princess offers more Alaska

19 August With Alaska continuing to prove itself as one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations, Princess Cruises has announced it will operate seven of its liners into the region for the 2010 northern summer.

Silversea offers more South America adventures

18 August Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is offering four South American voyages between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile in December 2009 and January 2010.

Coral Princess expands Kimberley cruising

14 August Expedition cruising along Western Australia’s wild and beautiful Kimberley coast continues to grow, with Coral Princess Cruises offering an unprecedented 36 departures in 2010.

Beyond Travel enhances river cruise program

13 August European river cruise operator, Beyond Travel, has added a number of exclusive incentives to its new Waterways Beyond brochure for 2010.

Blue Lagoon cuts cruises by 15 percent

12 August Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a 15 percent discount on ‘Club’ and ‘Gold Club’ Yasawa Island cruises booked before 31 October 2009.

Avalon Waterways christens its latest cruiser

11 August Avalon Waterways has unveiled the latest addition to its expanding European fleet - Avalon Creativity.

New boss for Blue Lagoon Cruises

10 August Blue Lagoon Cruises has appointed Tim Stonhill as its new general manager.

River cruising boom reaches the Mekong

10 August The popularity of European river cruising has sparked a new boom in river cruises closer to home, with a rush of Australians jumping aboard the deluxe new river boat, Indochina Pandaw, for exotic journeys along the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Windstar puts Europe on sail

7 August Windstar Cruises is giving travellers the chance to explore Europe, the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea in style, at a fraction of the usual cost, with a selection of last minute deals for August and September departures.

Fly free deal on Europe river cruises

5 August Travelmarvel has expanded its ‘fly free to Europe and return’ offer last month to now cover all its river cruise tours and departures in March 2010.

Celebrity names newest cruiser

30 July Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship – Celebrity Equinox – has been officially named in formal ceremonies in the historic port of Southampton, England.

Cruise Council names award date

29 July The International Cruise Council Australasia has announced details of its 2009 industry awards to be held in Sydney next year.

SeaDream cuts cruise prices in half

27 July 2009 SeaDream Yacht Club is offering further discounts on its cruise packages with up to 50 percent slashed on prices for some itineraries and a further 15 percent reduction for travelers booking a second week on the ultra-luxury cruise line.

Travellers Choice joins cruise council

21 July Travellers Choice has signed its 81-member strong Cruise Club onto the International Cruise Council Australasia.

Abu Dhabi chases massive cruise growth

17 July Abu Dhabi is eyeing a massive 59 percent growth in cruise passenger arrivals in the 2009-10 season.

Hurtigruten joins Cruise Council

15 July The International Cruise Council Australasia has welcomed another cruise line to its ranks, with Norwegian operator, Hurtigruten, signing on.

Silversea offers low fares for 2010

13 July Silversea Cruises has introduced a new, simpler fare structure that provides low fares, plus a credit towards air travel, on virtually all voyages in 2010.

Europe’s newest ship set for christening

8 July Screen legend, Sophia Loren, is set to christen MSC Cruises newest superliner, Splendida this weekend in Barcelona, Spain.

Silversea adds concierge service

1 July Silversea is making it easier for guests to design their own unique experiences ashore with the introduction of the new ‘Silver Shore Concierge’ service.

Free airfares for Vanuatu cruises

24 June Island Escape Cruises is offering free round-trip economy airfares from Sydney and Brisbane to Santo to join its two six-day/five-night Vanuatu itineraries – ‘The Secrets of Bali Hai’ and ‘The Tropic of Paradise’.

Blue Lagoon cuts fares by 30 percent discount

23 June Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a 30 percent discount on all four-day/three-night Yasawa Island ‘Club’ cruises until 31 August 2009.

MSC offers two for one cruise deals

22 June MSC Cruises has launched a new round of promotions for its Ocean Voyages and Mediterranean cruises, with cut-price voyages and a special two-for-one deal.

Big savings on European rivers

18 June Avalon Waterways is offering Australian travellers savings of around $500 per person on select European river cruises in 2010.

MSC adds onboard bonus

15 June Set sail from September to November this year with MSC Cruises and receive an A$300 onboard credit.

RCI unveils 2010 Legend voyages

4 June Royal Caribbean International has announced the new Asian itineraries for its mega-liner, Legend of the Seas.

APT offers new deals for 2010 river cruises

4 June APT is offering a choice of four earlybird deals in its new brochure Europe, Russia and Egypt Cruising 2010.

Travelmarvel explores European rivers

2 June APT-owned Travelmarvel’s new Europe River Cruising 2010 program will feature an exclusive charter of popular boutique rivership, ms Sound of Music.

Splendida completes sea trials

29 May MSC Cruises latest megaliner has just completed sea trials in preparation for her inaugural voyage from Barcelona in July. MSC Splendida is the second new-build ship in MSC Cruises’ luxurious ‘Fantasia’ class.

Millennium gets $10 million facelift

28 May Celebrity Millennium has emerged from a Canadian drydock refreshed and rejuvenated after a $10 million, 12-day refurbishment that has her looking like new for upcoming Alaska sailings.

Save $2000 on river cruise

27 May Beyond Travel has extended its savings offer on European river cruise packages, with the deadline now pushed out to 31 July.

Royal Caribbean unveils 2011 Dubai sailings

25 May Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Brilliance of the Seas’ will return to Dubai in 2011, following the cruise line’s 2010 inaugural season.

Club Med restyles its cruise product

20 May The rapid growth in the cruise sector has seen Club Med undertake a refurbishment of its classic, five-masted cruiser, Club Med 2, earlier this year, which has seen all cabins, suites and public areas of the ship reworked and enhanced.

Two for one on Black Sea cruise

16 May APT has launched a buy one get one free offer on its 13-day Black Sea Cruise from Istanbul to Budapest, departing on 24 June and 5 August.

MSC Cruises brings Orchestra to New York

13 May MSC Cruises has commenced a new series of US cruise itineraries from New York aboard its luxury cruiser – MSC Orchestra.

ICCA Masters Cruise 2009 sold out

13 May The International Cruise Council Australasia’s annual Masters Conference at Sea to Alaska has sold out in record time, demonstrating Australian travel agents’ interest in boosting cruise sales in a tough economic climate.

Bumper cruise season on the WA horizon

12 May Adventure-loving cruisers are keeping Western Australia’s coastal cruise companies busy, with around 16 operators now offering luxury products along the northwest coast.

Cruise to visit Gallipoli in 2010

7 May Classic International Cruises (CIC) is making it easier to explore one of Australia’s most famous war-time memorials, with a Mediterranean cruise calling into the Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

P&O sets sail for new seas

6 May The upcoming re-deployment of Pacific Sun to Australia sailing from Perth has opened a host of opportunities for new itineraries and destinations for P&O Cruises, with the company announcing new voyages for the 2009 summer season, including calls into popular ports such as Broome and Geraldton, as well as Christmas Island and the Indonesian islands of Bali, Lombok, Komodo and Semarang.

More liners for Fremantle cruise port

5 May Fremantle is gaining momentum as a cruise port, with the seasonal basing of superliner, Sun Princess, and home-porting of P&O Cruises ship, Pacific Sun, next year.

Silversea expands US$1000 bonus

4 May The success of Silversea Cruises' US$1000 per suite ‘onboard spending credit’ promotion has seen the ultra-luxury line expand the offer to include 37 additional voyages.

Orion spices it up

1 May Orion Expedition’s 2009 Spice Islands Adventure will visit some of the most extraordinarily bio-diverse regions on Earth.

New ‘royal’ cruise package for WA

29 April Cruise Express has launched a special new package for WA cruise lovers keen to sail on Queen Victoria’s maiden voyage to Perth next February.

Royal Caribbean celebrates 21 years in Alaska

28 April Royal Caribbean is offering a range of tours and special experiences as part of its 21st anniversary season in Alaska.

MSC cuts airfares for Yacht Club guests

27 April MSC Cruises continues to woo travellers to its new premium Yacht Club category with a new promotion cutting $800 off airfares to Europe and including a complimentary a week-long spa package onboard.

Carnival offers ultimate dream

23 April Families will take centre stage this September when Carnival Cruise Lines debuts its newest ship, Carnival Dream in Rome.

Silversea sails with Mr F1 to Monaco

16 April Legendary Formula One commentator, Murray Walker, will join Silversea’s seven day Nice to Monte Carlo voyage in May 2009.

Fiji’s Blue Lagoon slashes cruise fares

16 April Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises has slashed the prices of its Yasawa Island cruises by 35 percent.

Mega-cruiser returns West

15 April Princess Cruises has announced that its premium superliner, Sun Princess, will return to WA in May 2010 for its biggest season to date with a record six cruises departing from Fremantle.

MSC offers $1 cruise sale

15 April For a limited time, Europe’s largest cruise line, MSC Cruises, is offering a $1 cruise deal.

New APT Europe river cruising deal

3 April Free economy flights or discounted business class upgrades are being offered for selected APT European river cruises.

Big savings on WA coastal cruises

2 April Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises has extended its 20 percent discount offer on 2009 and 2010 Kimberley coast cruises to 30 June.

Star cruises through tough market

2 April It was a year of highs and lows for Star Cruises, with its full year results showing decreased revenues alongside increased capacities.

Avalon offers new ships and new itineraries

25 March Avalon Waterways has released its 2010 river cruising program with new ships and new itineraries, including its first ever cruises on the Seine between Paris and Normandy.

Suites keep getting sweeter

24 March Royal Caribbean has upgraded its premium cabins with a range of product and service enhancements to ensure guests are totally indulged.

Cruise West Joins Cruise Council

23 March The International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) has expanded its cruise line membership with exploration cruise operator, Cruise West, joining the industry association.

Silversea adds butler service

20 March Silversea Cruises is enhancing its personalised onboard services with plans to feature butlers for all guest accommodation aboard its award-winning fleet.

MSC upgrades customer service

20 March With cruise products becoming more competitive, MSC Cruises has gone back to basics, with a renewed commitment to enhancing onboard service.

Record numbers for NZ cruise industry

19 March New statistics show that almost 40,000 New Zealanders took a cruise last year – a massive 29 percent increase on 2007 passenger numbers.

Cruiseabout chases market share

19 March While cruise continues to expand as the fastest growing tourism sector in Australia, there remains significant room for growth in the market, according to river and ocean cruise specialist Cruiseabout.

Virgo back in Singapore

18 March Popular mega-liner, SuperStar Virgo, has been redeployed back to Singapore for the northern winter – to the delight of Australian cruisers.

Boutique cruising with big ship benefits

17 March Europe’s largest cruise line, MSC Cruises, has launched a new cruise concept aboard its mega-liner fleet that blends the best of small ship intimacy and service with big ship excitement.

More tulips for Viking

16 March Viking River Cruises is adding additional capacity for its sold-out itineraries for 2009.

MSC crew risk lives for passenger

12 March MSC Cruises has confirmed that a passenger involved in an incident on MSC Fantasia in Palma de Mallorca on 5 March 2009 is in a stable condition and is recovering well in a local hospital.

Evergreen Diamond sets sail

11 March Evergreen Tours is ready to begin its new round of luxury river cruising throughout Europe, following the fit out of its new, chartered luxury river cruise ship - Amadeus Diamond.

Silversea completes inaugural Antarctic program

9 March Silversea’s new world-class expedition ship, Prince Albert II, has just completed its first program of South America and Antarctic voyages, with the season a sell-out.

Avalon Waterways savings extended

5 March Avalon Waterways has extended its latest round of discounts through until 31 March, providing savings of up to $1470 per couple across a range of European river cruises.

Silversea floats newest liner

4 March Silversea Cruises' newest ultra-luxury ship, Silver Spirit, reached an important milestone last week when she was floated from dry dock to wet dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Fremantle welcomes biggest cruiser

4 March Western Australia’s port city of Fremantle welcomed the largest cruise ship ever to visit the state yesterday as the 116,000-tonne megaliner, Diamond Princess, glided into the harbor yesterday.

HAL hosts 2009 ICCA Masters in Alaska

27 February Alaska and Holland America Line have been named as the hosts for the 2009 International Cruise Council Australasia Masters Conference.

More voyages for Viking

26 February Viking River Cruises has added an additional ship, Viking Danube, on its popular Amsterdam-to-Budapest Grand European Tour itinerary for 2009, to deal with growing demand.

Luxury cruising at half the price

25 February Ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea, has cut prices on more than 75 of its global voyages during 2009.

Silversea offers 50 percent off

18 February Silversea Cruises is offering special savings on a 29-day Yokohama (Tokyo) to Dubai voyage, departing 5 April 2009 aboard the mid-sized luxury liner, Silver Whisper.

Creative Holidays extends Uniworld cruise sale

17 February Creative Holidays is extending its Earlybird reduced rates for selected Uniworld Boutique River cruises until 31 March 2009. The extension will allow clients who book and deposit their Uniworld Boutique River cruise by the end of March to save on the full price of the cruise.

Cruise invasion for Sydney

16 February Sydney is set to welcome a record number of mega-liners during February, with a parade of cruise ships scheduled to visit the harbour.

CIC expands SA coastal cruising

9 February Classic International Cruises’ 600-passenger flagship, Athena, continues to open new domestic cruise locations with its inaugural visit to the South Australian centre of Port Lincoln.

Adelaide gets first home-ported cruise ship

4 February Classic International Cruises’ (CIC) flagship, Athena, has berthed in Adelaide to signal the start of its 2009 season from the South Australian capital.

Silversea cuts cost on Northern Europe voyage

3 February Ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea is offering a special deal on its epic 21-day cruise around northern Europe, with all-inclusive fares starting from US$493 per day.

APT adds more Kimberley cruises

2 February APT has taken advantage of growth in its Kimberley cruising product to secure allocation on another two Oceanic Discoverer departures in October 2009.

Cruise awards name top achievers

2 February In a sign of the growing popularity of cruising, Australasia’s cruise industry has recognised a record number of travel agents and industry supporters at the International Cruise Council Australasia’s 2008 awards held last weekend.

Silversea sets voyage record

16 January Ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea, has unveiled its 2010 program with a record number of voyages, visiting more than 355 ports in 95 countries and island destinations.

Agents save 70 percent on Avalon Waterways

13 January Avalon Waterways is offering travel agent discounts on select European river cruises, with AD70 rates for 11 departures this northern spring.

Pearl Sea extends cruise discount deal

12 January Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises has expanded its discount cruise offers to include 2010 Kimberley cruises to the current 2009 cruise savings.

Princess launches the ultimate cook’s tour

6 January Have you ever wondered what goes on back-of-house on a cruise ship? How does the kitchen manage to churn out perfectly presented, piping-hot meals for 2000 passengers and 1000 crew each day? What’s it like to perform in the show-room theatre? How does the engine room run; and what happens if I get sick?

Princess launches the ultimate cook’s tour

Sophia Loren christens Europe’s largest

5 January MSC Cruises has christened its newest ship, the MSC Fantasia, completing the planning, building, and programming of MSC’s largest ship ever built for a European ship owner.

Patriotic packages with Captain Cook

27 December Leveraging on the release of Baz Luhrman’s epic movie, Australia, Captain Cook Cruises is offering two packages inspired by the blockbuster.

P&O Cruises to explore Indonesia

12 December P&O Cruises has launched its inaugural cruise program from Western Australia, with its popular ship, ‘Pacific Sun’, set to become the first cruise ship ever to visit the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island.

New cruises explore Australian south

27 November Classic International Cruises is offering week-long voyages between Fremantle and Adelaide this summer for under $1000, providing passengers with a unique way to discover the rugged beauty of the southern Australian coastline.

Qantas increases regional flights

24 November Qantas has announced a significant increase in services to regional destinations including Broome, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Mt Isa and Townsville.

Silversea revises expedition voyages

20 November Silversea’s has postponed the Tahiti deployment of its newest ship – ‘Prince Albert II’ - which was originally scheduled to reposition from Antarctica to French Polynesia for six months in mid 2009.

Cargo Cruising repackaged

20 November What was once the domain of wayfaring nomads has been repackaged to meet the needs of adventure-seeking travelers, with the launch of a new range of Cargoship cruises.

P&O doubles Australian fleet

14 November With Australians tipped to holiday closer to home in the current economic climate, P&O Cruises has announced it will double its fleet over the next two years to meet growing domestic demand.

Rhapsody in the air

13 November Royal Caribbean Cruises has donated the luxury cruise liner Rhapsody of the Seas, to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for a one-night fundraising cruise on 1 April. The cruise, which sails out of Sydney harbour and returns the following morning, aims to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the iconic Australian charity.

P&O makes booking cruisey

13 November P&O Cruises has subjected its terms and conditions to a complete overhaul in a bid to make doing business with its travel agents and passengers a seamless and simple process.

Princess names newest gem

12 November Princess Cruises has named its newest ship, Ruby Princess, with a “ruby red” themed ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.

Silversea announces guest lecture series

11 November Silversea Cruises has announced its line-up of world-class guest lecturers for 2009.

Princess adds Movies Under the Stars

7 November Princess Cruises has confirmed it will launch its popular outdoor cinemas onboard its two Australian-based superliners next year.

Summer savings for Med cruising

30 October Ultra luxury cruise company, Silversea, is offering summer discounts on a range of seven to nine day Mediterranean sailings between May and October 2009.

Dawn Princess arrives in Sydney

27 October Australia has welcomed another full-time mega-liner with Princess Cruises’ love boat - Dawn Princess – set to commence her first season of premium cruising in this region.

Silver Whisper holidays in Australia for summer

24 October Silversea’s ultra luxury cruise ship, Silver Whisper, is heading to Australia again this summer with four sailings hubbing through Sydney.

P&O adds onboard connectivity

23 October P&O Cruises’ passengers can now make and receive calls on their personal mobile phones and access wireless internet at sea, following the introduction of a new wireless network across the fleet.

Uniworld stands by brochure pricing

21 October Despite a back-sliding Australian dollar, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is guaranteeing published prices in its 2009 Europe River Cruising Collection brochure for all bookings made until 31 January.

Cruiseabout launch first WA store

21 October Specialist national cruise agency, Cruiseabout, is launching its first store in WA today with the opening of a new retail agency at Cottesloe, Western Australia.

Silversea launches new Antarctica reservations

9 October Ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea, has opened ticket sales for its new 2009-10 Antarctica voyages aboard its new expedition ship ‘Prince Albert II’.

Hong Kong to open new cruise port

8 October From an airport to cruise terminal! The Hong Kong Government has announced it will finance the redevelopment of the old Kai Tek airport into a new cruise terminal at to ensure the first berth is ready to begin operating in mid 2013.

Enjoy a suite life on P&O

8 October P&O Cruises Australia has enhanced its suite products to offer a premium level of facilities and additional complimentary services.

Queen Victoria cruise special

6 October Cruise Spirit International has released a special deal to sail aboard Cunard’s newest ship - Queen Victoria.

New deals on 2010 cruise programs

3 October P&O Cruises, has expanded its product range with the introduction of new themed ‘sampler’ cruises.

Viking extends early booking discounts

1 October Viking River Cruises has extended its booking window for 2009 Early Booking Discounts and will now close sales on 31 October.

Hot Deals on European river cruises

25 September Evergreen Tours has cut the fares for European river cruises with a special offer saving clients $1000 per couple on its 15-day ‘Splendours of Europe’ cruise.

Diamond Princess to dazzle NZ

19 September Princess Cruises is launching the summer season for its 116,000 tonne mega-liner, Diamond Princess, with trans-Tasman fly/cruise packages starting from $1745.

Pacific Sun sails after refurbishment

19 September P&O Cruises has commenced sailings aboard its Brisbane-based cruiser, Pacific Sun, following a multi-million dollar revamp of the ship.

Star Cruises continues Australian love affair

18 September With the withdrawal of SuperStar Gemini from the Star Cruises fleet at the end of the year, the company is positioning SuperStar Libra into Singapore to rekindle Australians love affair with Asia cruising.

Last call for Gemini cruises

18 September Cabins are still available aboard SuperStar Gemini, before the popular mid-sized cruiser sails on her last departure from Singapore on Sunday, 28 December.

Cruise prices plunge for pensioners

17 September Classic International Cruises is offering special cruise discounts for pensioner card holders this summer, on a selected range of voyages aboard its elegant flagship, ‘Athena’.

P&O Cruises comments on Dianne Brimble

17 September P&O Cruises Australia has confirmed it will continue to assist police with their investigations following the Director of Public Prosecutions’ decision to lay charges against three men over the death of Dianne Brimble in 2002.

Silversea heads to Antarctica

16 September Silversea has released details of its much-anticipated 2009-10 voyages to Antarctica, aboard its new ultra-luxury exploration vessel Prince Albert II.

Big savings on Kimberley cruises

11 September Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises has launched its 2009 Kimberley coastal cruises program, with savings of 20 percent on earlybird bookings made by 31 December 2008.

Silversea unveils French Polynesia program

9 September Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has revealed details of its 2009 French Polynesia schedule of expeditions for its new expedition vessel, Prince Albert II, which will commence sailings from mid-March 2009.

New ships and voyages for MSC

8 September Hot off the press is MSC Cruises latest brochure which debuts two new ships and two-for-one pricing on some voyages.

Families first on Blue Lagoon

6 September Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises has re-released its two-cabin family cruise package, offering an affordable, all-inclusive family holiday option in Fiji.

Coral Princess sails celebration cruise in New Zealand

5 September Coral Princess Cruises will celebrate its 25th Anniversary year with a 12-night cruise of New Zealand’s east coast.

HAL offer NZ discovery

5 September Travel the World has packaged one of the best fortnights of short-haul travel with a 14-night cruise between Sydney and Auckland, or vice versa.

Costa Cruises opens Emirates itinerary

4 September Costa Cruises has launched its popular Jewels of the Emirates itinerary for December 2008 through to April 2009, unveiling a range of exotic Arabian ports, while taking advantage of the Middle East’s ideal weather for an extended summer holiday.

Last months for Gemini cruises

4 September One of the most popular cruise ships for Australians is preparing to sail her last voyages with Star Cruises.

Last minute savings for Med cruising

3 September Luxury cruise line, Windstar, has slashed last minute bookings on a selected range of itineraries, cutting more than 50 percent off the standard cruise fare.

APT offers free Europe river cruise

2 September APT has a ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offer on the 8 November departure of its 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on board the MS Sound of Music.

Coral Princess sails celebration cruise in New Zealand

18 August Coral Princess Cruises will celebrate its 25th Anniversary year with a 12-night cruise of New Zealand’s east coast.

Boutique land and sea combo

14 August A Hamilton-island based cruise operator has added two land nights to their cruise package to complement the Whitsunday’s experience.

Sail Madagascar

14 August With Madagascar in the world’s spotlight a leading nature-based destination, Bench International have developed an eight-day adventure package that shows the island off from its best vantage point – the sea.

Silversea targets first-timers

13 August Whoever said travel is purely a price-driven market would be wrong.

Silversea unveils expedition itineraries

12 August Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has revealed details of its 2009 French Polynesia schedule of expeditions for its new expedition vessel, Prince Albert II, which will commence from mid-March to late October 2009.

Clipper cruises Rome to Venice

24 July Tempo Holidays is offering a new cruise option, with a 12-day Western Mediterranean voyage from Rome to Venice aboard the romantic 170-passenger Star Clipper sailing ship.

Princess expands World Cruise journey

23 July Princess Cruises has released seven new sectors for its 104-night world cruise aboard the luxurious superliner, Dawn Princess.

Explore Madagascar by sea

23 July With Madagascar rapidly becoming one of the world’s most talked about nature-based destinations, Bench International have developed an eight-day holiday package that shows the island off from its best vantage point – the sea.

Boutique cruising to Bali

21 July Classic International Cruises is offering travellers a different way to explore Bali, with a cruise that combines the best of Western Australia’s coast with three days in Bali.

Low water no concern for APT cruises

17 July APT has confirmed its seven Europe river cruise services are not experiencing problems with the current low water levels reported on the Europe river network.

QM2 winners

17 July Cunard has announced the names of the three travel agencies that won a three-night luxury voyage onboard Queen Mary 2 to celebrate the return of the Cunard ‘Queens’ to Australia in 2009.

Record number sign on for cruise Masters training

17 July A record number of travel agents have signed up for the annual International Cruise Council Australasia’s 2008 Masters’ Conference at Sea, to be held onboard the MSC Poesia as she sails from Venice in October.

NCL redefines nightlife

13 July Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) continues to roll out information on its revolutionary F3 generation cruise ships, which are set to debut in 2010.

Two for one earlybirds

12 July P&O Cruises has released some sizzling hot earlybird deals on its 2009 cruise program, including two-for-one offers on selected Pacific Sun and Pacific Dawn sailings.

Explore opens cruise division

8 July Explore Holidays has undertaken a major change to its cruise division, re-launching its cruise department with a team of handpicked, dedicated cruise specialists.

Silversea launches 2009 Cruise Atlas

3 July Ultra-luxury cruise company, Silversea Cruises, has launched its latest itinerary calendar – the 2009 Voyage Atlas.

NRMA takes to the sea

1 July NRMA Motoring & Services continues to expand its travel wholesale operations with the acquisition of established cruise wholesaler, Creative Cruising.

APT names godmother

24 June European river cruise company, APT World Discoveries has named Louise Tandy (nee McGeary) as Godmother to the company’s fourth European river ship, the ms Amadante.

SeaDream adds new ports

24 June Luxury small ship cruise line, SeaDream Yacht Club, has added a range of exclusive new seaside towns, villages and off-shore islands to their Mediterranean and Caribbean yachting-experience destinations in 2009.

APT launches 2009 Kimberley cruises

19 June APT has increased its coastal cruise options for 2009, adding seven more departures to its recently released 2009 Kimberley Cruising brochure.

Windstar named World’s Most Romantic

17 June Windstar Cruises has been named ‘Most Romantic Cruise Line’ in the world by Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Bigger choice for Avalon Waterways

4 June Avalon Waterways has released its biggest ever program of river cruises, introducing six new itineraries and two new ships amid unprecedented demand for holidays on the world's great rivers.

Fiji deal extended

4 June Captain Cook Cruises has extended it ‘partners can cruise at half price’ deal for all Fijian cruise bookings until 30 June.

Comedy takes to sea

2 June P&O Cruises has added a new range of entertainment to its onboard program with an exclusive partnership with the Sit Down Comedy Club, which will see some of Australia’s most talented comedians sailing with the cruise line throughout 2008.

Expedition cruises for New Zealand

2 June Coral Princess has launched a new range of luxury expedition cruises about its purpose-built ship, Oceanic Discoverer, exploring some of New Zealand’s most undiscovered attractions.

New partnership plan for CCS

30 May Complete Cruise Solution (CCS) has announced major changes to its Partnership Program, giving travel agents even more incentive to increase their cruise sales.

Three agents to win a Queen Mary 2 voyage

29 May Cunard is giving travel agents the opportunity to win a luxury voyage onboard Queen Mary 2, to celebrate the return of the Cunard ‘Queens’ to Australia in 2009.

CIC bans indoor smoking

28 May Classic International Cruises will ban smoking in all indoor areas aboard its two Australian-based ships next summer.

Princess Cruises expands Exotic collection

28 May Princess Cruises has taken the wraps off a range of new itineraries within its 2009-10 Exotics program, with seven ships calling into more than 130 ports across seven continents.

Popularity soars for small ships

22 May The outlook for cruising on small ships will continue to grow due to the value for money and unique experience that cruising offers, according to Beyond Travel’s marketing manager Bryce Crampton.

NCL reveals next generation

21 May Following a billion dollar capital injection, NCL has taken the covers off its latest ship design, showcasing the group’s ‘New Wave Staterooms’, which will set the standard for its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships.

Half price cruising

21 May P&O Cruises has slashed balcony cabin fares by 50 per cent on two Pacific Dawn cruises departing Sydney in July – which means passengers can enjoy all the comforts of a private balcony cabin on Australia's first superliner, as well as all main meals and entertainment, from just $1899 per person twin-share.