This Weeks Great Deals from ecruising.travel

Queen Mary 2 arrived into Sydney this morning and the sun finally appeared for her arrival. I know we need the rain but hey, I’ve seen enough of it for a while! Aurora is on QM2 today for lunch and an inspection so I’m sure you’ll read her report in next weeks edition.

Speaking of newsletters, we had a problem with our image server last week but we’ve moved the location of this now so you should not have any more problems… technology!

On my flight back from Melbourne last week, we circled for an hour waiting to get into Sydney airport. I’m sure Julia doesn’t circle around waiting to land; my prediction is they’ll build a 2nd Sydney airport around the same time we stop using conventional aeroplanes!

Now on with the newsletter… Ian went on Solstice earlier this week, below is his story and photos.

For my next ship inspection it couldn’t have been more different. To go from the Queen Victoria to the Celebrity Solstice is about as far apart as it comes in the world of big ship cruising. The former is all about old world elegance of the past, the latter is bright and modern, with all the mod cons of today and into the future. The options these days for cruising are far ranging and this gives the public great options to choose from. I can see why almost every Solstice cruise is sold out for the rest of the year.

Clients who have never tried Celebrity or even cruising at all are jumping on the bandwagon. It’s a sure thing, and such great value now the prices are coming down. Celebrity are known as a 5 star cruise, so you need to compare the ship with a top of the line 5 star hotel, then you might be coming somewhere close. Every area of this ship is in impressive. Being so new it’s in great shape in all areas. Our group of agents were very impressed as we walked through the public areas and incredible speciality restaurants. When we got to the cabins, particularly the Celebrity Suites, many of our group were crying out wow! I was personally impressed with all the bars, and varied adult areas, many of which have perfect sea views. So much so I’ve booked a cruise for myself!

Masai Magic is selling well, this really is a trip of a lifetime. QM2 speaks for itself but the ground arrangements are first class, as good as you’ll get anywhere and with a company you know will deliver. Why not join us and take advantage of the free upgrades, click here for details.

Star of the Rockies is almost sold out, we have a few spaces left in Gold Leaf, if you’ve been thinking about it, better get onto it! Click here for details.

Diamond Princess will be headed down our way 14 November 2014 and we have some amazing new fares on the Singapore to Sydney sector! This 20 night package starts with a night at the Shangri La Singapore before you join your ship on a 19 night voyage. You’ll cruise to Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) & Benoa (Bali) before bidding farewell to Asia.

Arriving in Australian waters, you’ll visit Darwin and Port Douglas, arriving in Sydney for a spectacular daytime arrival, followed by a night in port. We’ve also included transfers in Singapore and, don’t forget, that cruising back to Australia means you don’t have to worry about airline excess baggage charges so you can shop as much as you like! From less than $120.00 a day – $2,339.00 for an inside or $3,149.00 for a balcony! Click here for details

This is your last chance to join Queen Mary 2 on her current world voyage. There is an extremely limited number of cabins available from Fremantle to Cape Town departing 26 March 2013. After emabrkation, this 17 night package begins with a week at sea so you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the magic of the worlds most famous oceanliner.

First stop after crossing the Indian Ocean is Port Louis in beautiful Mauritius followed by your arrival in South Africa with stops at Durban, Port Elizabeth & Cape Town, where you’ll be saying farewell to your ship after an overnight stop in port. You’ll then be spending 2 nights at The Westin Cape Town before your flight. We’ve included a oneway flight back to Perth, but ask us about flights back to other cities. Priced at just $4,669.00! Click here for details

Here’s a couple of new itineraries on Radiance of the Seas’ next local season. First is this 8 night Queensland cruise departing 19 January 2014. You’ll visit Newcastle, Airlie Beach and Brisbane before returning to Sydney. Second is this 7 night cruise to Tasmania departing 27 January 2014. Oddly enough, your first port of call is Newcastle before you head south to Hobart with a final stop at Melbourne on the way back to Sydney. Queensland from $1,009.00 or Tasmania from $999.00!
Click here for Queensland
Click here for Tasmania

Discover more of Europe on board Ruby Princess with this 29 night package from Barcelona to Rome departing 12 October. You’ll begin with 3 nights hotel accommodation at the Hilton Diagonal Mar in Barcelona before boarding Ruby Princess for a 24 night cruise on the Mediterranean, Adriatic & Aegean Seas. You’ll visit Toulon in France, Livorno, Rome & Naples in Italy.

Cruising through the Ionian Sea, you’ll call in at the island of Mykonos on the way to the Aegean where you’ll be stopping at Istanbul, Kusadasi & Athens. You’ll then be off to Venice for a 3 day visit. This is followed by Dubrovnik in Croatia, Corfu, Katakolon in Greece as well as another stop in Athens, Mykonos & Kusadasi.

You’ll then drop in at Santorini & Naples on your way to Rome where you’ll disemabark and head to the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese for a 2 night stay before your flight home. We’ve also included transfers in Barcelona and Rome from only $5,829.00 for an inside or $7,229.00 for a balcony!
Click here for details

Spoil yourself on board Seabourn Odyssey with this huge 45 night package from Istanbul to Singapore departing 5 October 2013. Begin your life of luxury with a 2 night stay at the Ritz Carlton Istanbul before you join the 6 star all inclusive Seabourn Odyssey for 41 nights of pure indulgence and as always with Seabourn, you’ll visit some places that the bigger ships don’t often visit.

Your first port of call is Myrina on the island of Nisos Limnos, this is followed by Izmir & Cesme in Turkey and then Patmos, Santorini, Naousa & Athens in Greece. Stop in at Haifa & Ashdod before transiting the Suez Canal calling in at Hurghada in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan followed by a 2 day visit to Safaga (Valley of the Kings). Next you’ll be visiting Salalah & Sur in Oman, Dubai, Khasab & Khor al Fakkan.

Moving toward Asia you’ll find yourself on the Indian Sub-continent where you’ll spend 2 days in Mumbai and call in at Mangalore & Cochin before crossing the Bay of Bengal with a final stop in Phuket. You will then disembark in Singapore where you’ll spend 2 nights at the famous Raffles hotel before your flight home and back to reality. As well as included transfers, for a limited time, if you book an Oceanview Suite, you get a FREE upgrade to a Veranda Suite from $14,899.00 for a 45 night experience! Click here for details

Brett & the ecruising team

“The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea”

Isak Dinesen