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NEWSLETTER - JULY 2013
HIGHLIGHTS
Message from the Team
Cruise Express Directors Lance Mumby, Hardy Schneider & Meg Hill
celebrate our 12th birthday
Don't Let Life Sail on By!
We all know time flies. In fact, life’s just too short to sit on the couch and watch TV. We believe life is about amazing experiences, seeing the world and enjoying its many splendours from the deck of a cruise liner. And our unwaivering aim at Cruise Express is to help you travel the world in style – a job we all love. So if the first half of 2013 has not been that exciting, we invite you to make the second half a lot more fun with a booking of a cruise adventure that will see you live it up on the seven seas.
Our July newsletter offers many cruise options which you can search and book yourself online with Cruise Express 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or you can call our team of experts on 1300 766 537. You can also cruise by our popular Facebook page which now has more than 12,000 followers who enjoy entertaining and fun discussions, competitions, news and pictures about the world of cruising we are all so passionate about. And talking of how fast time flies, Cruise Express has just celebrated its 12th birthday as one of Australia’s leading cruise specialists. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.
Bon Voyage from Meg, Lance, Hardy & the team!
Hosted tours are the easiest, safest & most affordable way to see the world. Here are just some of the many advantages of escorted trips :
Here are just some of the many advantages of escorted trips : -
• Group Savings / Lower Airfares / Many inclusions such as transfers and shore tours
• VIP / Express entry into major attractions
• Assistance at hand if you get sick or lose your passports or money, etc
• Camaraderie with as much or as little group interaction as you want
• Your host looks after all the paperwork, directions and details so you can relax and have fun – and we have lots of fun on our escorted cruise tours!
More Details ...
Diamond Princess
China & Pearls of the Orient - October 2013
* Hosted by Cruise Express Director Hardy Schneider *
We all like a great bargain and cruise bargains don’t come much better than this – our exotic, 24-day ‘Pearls of the Orient’ group tour this October. Hosted by Hardy, Helen & Carolyn from Cruise Express, our ‘no-hands-in-your-pocket-every-day’ tour includes return flights from Australia, six nights’ accommodation, a 17-night Princess cruise, all shore tours and sightseeing, 54 meals, group transfers and onboard gratuities. You’ll visit China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Africa QM2 Packages - January 2014
If the wild splendour of Africa is on your bucket list of great things to experience along with a voyage aboard the world’s grandest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, then tick off both on one of our five hosted cruise tours to South Africa next January. Ranging in length from 16 to 33 nights, our ‘Pride of Africa’ program boasts luxury game lodges in the Kruger region, spectacular Victoria Falls, the romance of the famous Rovos Rail train and the charms of Cape Town as well as a voyage back to Australia aboard the elegant QM2. Book soon and you can save up to 55 per cent off Cunard’s brochure fares.
More Details ...
Cruise Express Director Hardy Schneider (3rd from left) and Radio 2CH presenter George Ilich (2nd from left) with part of our 2013 Europe cruise tour group in Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Cruise the Med with Us in 2014
In the wake of the success of our two recent hosted cruise tours in Europe with Celebrity Cruises, we will soon announce details of our tours for May, 2014, through the exotic eastern Mediterranean, including the Greek Islands and Turkey, and to beautiful Scandinavia and Russia, again aboard Celebrity’s premium ships. You can register your interest with us today so you’ll receive the brochure hot off the press.
To register your interest, click here
Taj Mahal, Agra
Dreaming of India - October 2013 or April 2014
You’ll think you’re dreaming on this ultra-luxurious 23-night cruise tour to India this October or next April with 14 nights spent aboard the acclaimed ‘mega yacht’, Sea Dream II, and nine nights exploring the forts, palaces and bazaars of Rajasthan, including stays in 5-star resorts. Cruising doesn’t get much better than this exclusive, red carpet holiday!
More Details ... 
Iguazu Falls
South America & Antarctica - February 2014
You will be relaxing on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach and marvelling at icebergs and penguins in Antarctica as part of this amazing 22-day fly, cruise and tour to South America and the great white continent next February. Our package includes a 14-night cruise aboard the superliner, Celebrity Infinity, spectacular Iguazu Falls, Rio’s world-famous ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue, four days of scenic cruising around Antarctica and a chance to try the sultry tango dance in Buenos Aires.
More Details ...
T : 1300 766 537
Orion passengers on a shore excursion in the Kimberley
Luxury Kimberley Cruise Aboard Orion
Be Quick - Departing August 15, 2013
Outback scenery featured in Baz Luhrmann's epic film, ‘Australia’, will feature in an unforgettable Kimberley’ expedition cruise next month aboard the 5-star Orion – a favourite ship amongst the Cruise Express staff. Our exclusive 13-day fly/cruise package offers free domestic flights from any Australian capital city, 2 nights’ accommodation in Darwin before the cruise, the 10-night cruise from Darwin to Broome aboard Orion and shore excursions including a helicopter tour of spectacular King George Falls and a light plane flight over the rugged Bungle Bungle ranges.
More Details ...
Azamara Journey
New Back to Back Discount on Special 2015 Mediterranean Cruise Package
Includes a Visit to Gallipoli
A $500 per person discount is available if you book two special, back-to-back cruises visiting no less than 49 ports in Europe in 2015. The itinerary begins with a 37-night Mediterranean cruise tour with the deluxe Azamara Journey in April, 2015, including a three-night stay in Turkey, a visit to Gallipoli just days before the centenary of the Anzac landings in 1915 and a sail past Anzac Cove early on Anzac Day. The cruise from Istanbul arrives in Nice on May 28, 2015, when lucky, back-to-back cruise passengers stay onboard for another 37-night cruise from Nice to Southampton via ports in France, Portugal, Spain the British Isles, Russia and Scandinavia. The 74-night combo cruise package is part of a special double Cruiseco charter for Australian passengers.
More Details ...
The Duchess of Cambridge christens the ship
A Right Royal Princess Christening – and our Hardy was There!
The largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, the brand new 3600-passenger Royal Princess, was appropriately christened by the Queen’s daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, in a spectacular ceremony in the UK last month and Cruise Express Director, Hardy Schneider and our plastic feathered ambassador, ‘Duck’ (see images below), were there as two of the invited VIP guests (well at least Hardy was officially invited!)
The 141,000-ton Royal Princess introduces a new generation of ships to the Princess fleet, which now numbers 17 liners including several vessels based in Australia. Royal Princess boasts a much larger atrium, a spectacular, glass-bottomed, over-water SeaWalk, plush, poolside cabanas, a water and light show, a TV studio and balconies on all outside staterooms. The ship will sail in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and a twin sister, a new Regal Princess, will debut next year.
Hardy at the Royal Princess christening & inside the ship's large atrium
Hardy, who sailed on the final voyage in 2005 of a former Royal Princess, described the christening and the ship itself as “incredible”. “While this ship is much bigger than other Princess vessels she will still feel like home for those who have cruised with Princess before,” Hardy explains. “There’s a huge hydro pool in the spa sanctuary which is very stylish, and from the SeaWalk over the edge of the ship you can see the ocean 17 storeys below your feet. The staterooms also offer a great walk-in wardrobe and big flat screen TV. I can highly recommend Royal Princess as a stylish cruise ship for our clients. ”
Search for Royal Princess sailings on our 24/7 website
Left : Mariner of the Seas docked at the new terminal / Right : The new terminal
New Billion Dollar Cruise Terminal
While debate continues in Australia over the need for new cruise terminals here to cope with the boom in cruising, a sparkling new $1.1 billion cruise terminal has just opened in Hong Kong. Built on the site of Hong Kong’s former airport, the striking, state-of-the-art terminal offers panoramic views of the city and can accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships. The 24/7 search and book facility on our website has many cruises that visit Hong Kong and the new terminal including:
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Christmas Cruise aboard Volendam - more details here
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Aurora Voyage next February - more details here
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Or you can join our hosted Pearls of the Orient cruise tour this October - more details here
Cruising Tip of the Month
Hello Sailor!
Take time to chat with your ship’s officers and crew around the vessel. These well-travelled staff can share with you fascinating information about the ship, the ports you will be visiting and their own travels around the world.
From the cruising experts at Cruise Express
We have received many delightful, thank-you letters from clients who enjoyed their recent cruise tours in the Mediterranean and Baltic, hosted by Cruise Express. Here, below, is a small selection…
Warren and Grant from Cruise Express next to Celebrity Constellation on our Scandinavia and Russia hosted cruise tour last month
Left : Angela’s mother (far left) with a group in Barcelona in 1935
Right : Michael and Angela in the same spot this year
“Our recent Mediterranean holiday hosted by Cruise Express was truly magical and so restful. There was nothing to worry about - everything was organised for us. We would like to give a big thumbs up to Cheryl at Cruise Express for looking after all of us so well. While in Barcelona, we took a photo of us on a bridge at exactly the same place where a picture was taken of Angela’s mother in 1935 which was a special moment. The trip was so good we have booked another cruise next year with you and please, can we have Cheryl again?!”
Michael and Angela, Georges Hall, NSW
Cheryl (front) from Cruise Express with part of our tour group in Portofino, Italy - June 2013
“We would like to thank the Cruise Express team for our wonderful Mediterranean Magic cruise tour with you. We were with Cheryl's group and we cannot speak highly enough of her dedication, friendliness and sense of humour. Hardy, Trish and Helen from Cruise Express were also wonderful in every way.”
Barry and Annette, Kirrawee, NSW
Margaret & Joan near Dubai
“Thanks for the lovely ‘welcome home’ letter after our amazing ‘Treasures of Scandinavia and Russia’ cruise tour with Cruise Express. We enjoyed so many wonderful experiences. Warren and Grant from Cruise Express did an amazing job hosting us with a constant warm and friendly style that characterises all Cruise Express staff. And thanks to Trish for doing our flawless bookings and putting in all those personal touches that made our travelling experience so good.”
Margaret and Joan, Caringbah and Jannali, NSW
Tony & Peter enjoy gelato in Italy
“We loved our European cruise tour with Cruise Express. It was our first-ever cruise. The ship was first class and Helen, our host, was excellent. We are looking forward to next May’s trip with you to the eastern Mediterranean.”
Tony and Peter, Glenmore Park, NSW
Anne arriving at the brand new Hong Kong cruise terminal
“We had a fabulous time on our Mariner of the Seas cruise from Singapore to Shanghai in June. The ship was incredible and our hotels in Singapore and Shanghai were fantastic. Thank you for the excellent organisation and support during the booking process. I shall be recommending Cruise Express to friends!”
Anne and Michael, Barden Ridge, NSW
More Testimonials ...
DID YOU KNOW?
Under the Weather
The well-known phrase ‘under the weather’ emanates from the original practice of a sailor suffering the uncomfortable experience of being on watch on a small, lofty, outdoor weather perch near the front of the ship, exposing him to sea spray and ship pitching. Today, the phrase describes those who are feeling ill.... from the Berlitz Guide to Cruising
Duck at the christening of Royal Princess – on an officer’s cap, on the ship's casino table and on Her Royal Highness’ chair!
OUR MASCOT DUCK ABROAD
It didn’t take long for our new Cruise Express mascot, imaginatively called ‘Duck’, to take to the seven seas aboard our recent hosted cruise tours in Europe. Cheeky, attention-grabbing Duck was seen on sailors’ hats, on ship casino tables and even in the chair of the Duchess of Cambridge (thankfully while Her Highness was not in it) at the glamorous christening of Royal Princess in Southampton last month. Duck is rapidly building a fan base amongst Cruise Express tour passengers and who knows where Duck will turn up next so stay tuned!
Hair Raising Holiday
A woman excited to be going on a cruise to Italy the next day with her husband was at the hairdresser so she could look her best. “So what cruise company are you going with?” the female hairdresser asked her customer. “Heavenly Cruise Lines,” the passenger-to-be replied. “Oh no, no, no – terrible cruise company,” the grumpy, outspoken hairdresser shot back. “Their ships are old, the staff are old and the food is awful. It will be hell on the high seas.”
“So where are you staying when you get to Rome,” the hairdresser asked next. “Well we are staying at the Colosseum Hilton – we can’t wait,” the happy cruiser responded. “Oh no, no, no – that place has gone downhill – outdated, rude staff, smelly carpets and horrible food – you’ll hate it,” the hairdresser exclaimed. “So what are you going to do in Rome after you get off the ship?” The customer replied: “We were hoping to see the Pope…..” Interrupting, the hairdresser said sarcastically: “Yeah sure, you and one million other people all crammed into St Peter’s Square to see the Pope from so far away that he’ll look like a tiny ant up on his balcony – a waste of time if you ask me!”
A month later, the woman returns from her cruise holiday to get her hair done again by the same hairdresser, who asked the lady: “So how was the cruise to Italy?” “It was fantastic,” the women replied. “The ship had just had a complete makeover and we had been upgraded to a suite which was just fantastic. The crew were so friendly and the food was delicious.” “Right,” the hairdresser said, “and what about your hotel?” “Again, the hotel had just had a total refurbishment and were given the owner’s suite on the top floor at no extra charge which was incredible. And again, everyone was so nice and the food was mouth-watering!”
“Really, well what about the Pope – I bet you didn’t get to see much of him?” The customer responded: “Well, actually, when we got to St Peter’s Square with thousands of other people, one of the Swiss guards tapped me on the shoulder and said that every day they are allowed to select at random one couple who get a private audience with the Pope so we were asked to wait in a small room inside the basilica and sure enough, the Pope came in and sat down to talk to us. It was just so amazing!” “What did the Pope say to you?” the hairdresser asked, shocked. The woman replied: “Well, to be honest, he looked at me and said: ‘Oh my God, sorry, you look terrible. Who the hell did your hair?!’”
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