Around the world in 121 days
For those in search of an eternal summer , Cruise & Maritime Voyages Australia has launched its 2020 Grand Round the World Cruise aboard CMV ’ s flagship , Columbus . Encompassing 37 ports of call , the journey will cover 5 continents and 27 countries over 120 nights .
As with CMV ’ s other World Cruises , the 2020 voyage makes an iconic maritime journey affordable , but with the style and comfort for which the brand has become known . Columbus will sail from London Tilbury on 6 January 2020 heading westbound for a tour of tropical paradise via the Caribbean , South America , the Panama Canal and across the Pacific Ocean visiting Polynesian Islands , Tonga and Fiji , before heading to New Zealand and Australia .
The contemporary mid-sized ship , with capacity for 1,400 guests , will then head north where guests can experience the cultural wonders of Japan , China , Hong Kong , Vietnam and Cambodia . Columbus will then visit Thailand , Singapore , Malaysia , Sri Lanka and India before heading homebound via some of the most fascinating places in the world – Egypt , Jordan and the Holy Land via the Suez Canal . A relaxing jaunt around the Mediterranean will be the cruise ’ s grand finale before returning to London on 5 May 2020 , just in time for the European summer .
Other highlights of the Grand Round the World Cruise include : transiting the Panama Canal ; crossing the equator and the international date line ; an overnight stay in Tahiti ; visiting emerging , unspoiled destinations such as Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka ; and taking an excursion to the see the Taj Mahal in India or the Lost City of Petra in Jordan ( additional fees apply for overland tours and shore excursions ).
“ This incredible voyage provides the opportunity to tick off all these must-see destinations and iconic sights in one go ,” said Dean Brazier , Managing Director of CMV Australia . For solo adventurers , Columbus offers 150 cabins with 5 different accommodation options .
Also Cruise & Maritime Voyages has announced epic cruises to launch their new ship Vasco da Gama The ship 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 . 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 .
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 ).
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 .
Historic 106 Night Trip around the World
Princes Cruises ’ longest and most exciting world cruise yet departed Sydney on 5 June 2018 for a historic 106 night circumnavigation of the globe . Sea Princess will clock 32,000 nautical miles ( enough to make1.5 trips around the Earth ) sailing to 40 destinations across 27 countries .
“ Princess ’ high guest repeat rates shows that more than ever Australian ’ s are taking advantage of exploring the globe from their doorstep . As the destination experts we pride ourselves on creating exciting itineraries that let our guests see the world with the convenience of sailing roundtrip from their local homeport . Best of all , our guests only have to unpack once ,” said Senior Vice President Princess Cruises Asia Pacific , Stuart Allison .
Of the 3000 guests who are travelling on Sea Princess ’ world cruise this year , about 75 per cent of guests booked had already enjoyed part or all of a world cruise with Princess .
With roundtrip cruises on offer from Sydney , Brisbane and Auckland guests travelling onboard Sea Princess will experience a range of exciting new ports across Greenland , Newfoundland and Eastern Canada as well as overnight stays in some of the world ’ s most sought-after destinations such as New York , Barcelona and Venice .
Seabourn Ovation Christened
Seabourn introduced its newest vessel to the world with a festive naming ceremony for Seabourn Ovation in the beautiful baroque harbour of Valletta , Malta . A line-up of celebratory events was orchestrated , including a live performance by the ship ’ s godmother , actress and singer Elaine Paige OBE .
“ The ship is another major step forward in the growth of Seabourn and an opportunity for us to provide guests with the finest luxury travel experience available at sea today . Like her sisters in our fleet , Seabourn Ovation is such a beautiful ship , and I know that guests and cruise industry observers are going to be very impressed from the moment they step on board .” said Richard Meadows , president of Seabourn .
Seabourn Ovation is the fifth ultra-luxury vessel to join the Seabourn fleet over the past decade , and the second of two ships designed for the line by hospitality design icon Adam D . Tihany .
The ship departed on its maiden voyage 5 May for an 11-day Inaugural Mediterranean Spring cruise , bound for Barcelona . Afterwards , the ship moved onto a 14-day Vintage Europe heading for Ijmuiden ( Amsterdam ), and a 14-day Midsummer Baltic , arriving in Copenhagen in late June , before heading to Russia as part of a 7-day Baltic & St . Petersburg cruise .
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