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‘Oh, the Places You'll Go’ exclaims an artwork on the wall of our new agency on the NSW Central Coast. It’s the title of the last illustrated book published by much-loved children’s author, Dr Seuss, before he died. It captures the love our staff and customers have for travel, cruising and exploration. That shared passion was clearly evident at the client celebrations we recently hosted around Australia, with hundreds of clients joining us to celebrate the joy of cruising. To see the photos
Speaking of wondrous places you’ll go, we've launched an exciting new program of Escorted Voyages and Unique Journeys for 2016 including Norway, Japan, Turkey and the classic charms of Cuba. We have also put together a range of other interesting cruises below to inspire your next holiday on the seven seas.
Cruise of the Month
See Cuba before it changes forever! LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!
In March, Cruise Express’ award-winning Tour Director Hardy Schneider will take you back in time to the Cuba of old – a rustic colonial world of classic Chevrolets, salsa bars, giant cigars and toe-tapping street music. Colourful Cuba will soon modernise so time is running out to savour its charms on our Escorted Voyage through Central America.
Only a handful of cabins are left on this very special, 19-night tour that will see you sail the warm Caribbean waters aboard the deluxe, 4-masted clipper, Star Flyer. You’ll also be captivated by some of history’s finest archaeological jewels in Mexico including ancient Aztec pyramids and Mayan temples.
Travel with peace of mind on this hosted tour, with all the details looked after and like-minded travellers joining you on this great adventure. For details
Viva la vida – Enjoy life!
 
AzAmazing Asia
What's it like to be on an Azamara Club Cruises voyage? It's a place where staff and crew know your name, tastes and preferences, and the officers love to mingle with guests, pointing out special things at sea and onshore. Experience it yourself on this extraordinary journey from Sydney to Japan exploring the pristine waters of the Whitsunday Islands, the tropical beauty of the Top End, the emerald landscapes and temples of Indonesia and the rich culture of the Philippines and Japan. Discovering 15 exotic ports along the way, the package includes exclusive AzAmazing events, select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and your flight to Osaka to Sydney.
 
What's the Most Beautiful Island in the World?
The tropical paradise of Bora Bora in Tahiti is universally described as the world's most beautiful island. You can discover why when you cruise for a week around Tahiti’s most idyllic islands aboard the sleek motor yacht, Wind Spirit. Add an exclusive Polynesian feast with fire dancing on a tiny secluded island and you have a magical experience that’s hard to resist. For details
 
Maiden Cruise to Australia
If you love cruising the world on a floating resort with lots of relaxing days at sea this is the cruise for you! Sail from the UK to Australia next September aboard Princess Cruises’ sparkling Emerald Princess for her first summer season in our waters. Your line voyage will visit Italy, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia and you can disembark in Perth, Melbourne or Sydney. To find out more about our fly, stay and sail package,
 
Did you know?
The arrival of Emerald Princess will mean that in the summer of 2016/17, Australia will be home to the largest Princess Cruises fleet outside of the US with a record capacity of almost 12,000 passengers across five ships.
Music to your Ears
Some of Australia’s top entertainers will feature across four specially themed music cruises in the South Pacific in October and November, 2016. Among them are John Farnham, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, David Hobson, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Marina Prior, Adam Brand, Beccy Cole, Jon English, John Paul Young and The Eurogliders. The cruises aboard Radiance of the Seas from Sydney and Legend of the Seas from Brisbane offer music styles ranging from opera and musical theatre to country music and rock’n’roll. For details of the most illustrious line-up of musical acts ever assembled on Australian waters,
Our Unique Journeys have been crafted for independent travellers keen to explore on their own. These exciting, luxury cruise tours are packaged with flights, hotels and transfers. Travel with flexibility while you benefit from our years of experience in creating unforgettable, great-value holidays.
Arctic Adventure
Almost 1000km north of the top of Europe lies the Arctic island of Spitsbergen. It's a wild, remote and spectacularly rugged part of Norway where you can see polar bears, mighty glaciers and quaint villages under the midnight sun. On this exclusive, two-week adventure next August, you’ll ride Norway’s stunning railways and cruise aboard the charmingly beautiful, 130-passenger ms Nordstjernen, a nautical Norwegian treasure. Completely modernised, this classic jewel retains the authentic aura of an old Atlantic ship with classic wood panelling and all her original art. To find out more about this amazing journey,
Did you know?
The ms Nordstjernen is named after the Norwegian word for the 'North Star'.
 
A Very Royal Affair
This exclusive, new 16-night package is very special indeed. You’ll see inside Buckingham Palace, stay in the grand London Ritz, ride the plush Belmond Royal Scotsman train overnight, see the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and spend a night at a stately country house. Then you’ll explore the enchanting islands of The Hebrides aboard a charming small ship where pampered guests are welcomed aboard by a Scottish bagpiper. This locally guided journey is one of the finest ever offered by Cruise Express. For details,
 
Explore the world with Cruise Express on one of our luxury Escorted Voyages. These are exclusive group tours where our experienced Tour Managers host you and take care of all of the details. Travel with complete peace of mind and make friends with like-minded travellers along the way. All you need to do is relax and have fun!
New Pricing on Europe Tours
For a limited time: Save a further $1000 per couple from the fares listed below
BOOK by 30 November, 2015
As you know, ducks love water but our mascot 'Duck' much prefers to keep his plastic feathers dry and sail aboard luxury ships on our Escorted Voyages every year. Join him next May or June in the Mediterranean or northern Europe and discover exciting destinations together with Celebrity Cruises. Everything is looked after and fares now start from just $6590 per person, twin-share, for 16 nights including flights, accommodation and some sightseeing. When booking a Ocean View cabin or above you will enjoy a complimentary beverage package. You also get to take a picture with Duck like our clients below did this year! Click here for all the details - see you in Europe!
 
Duck is pictured above relaxing in Rome, and riding the London Eye with Cruise Express clients
See the world with Cruise Express
In 2016, Cruise Express is offering luxury Escorted Voyages to Japan, Turkey and through Europe on a river cruise, with a special Anzac Day visit to the Western Front in France, as well as an amazing new ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ cruise tour to Norway in summer. Stay tunes for more Escorted Voyages to be released shortly including South America and Antarctica, Spain to Switzerland and the unique Panama Canal featuring Central America and the US Canyonlands. To register your interest in our upcoming tours,
For details of all our popular, hassle-free Escorted Voyages,
~ Tours may be escorted by Cruise Express or locally hosted, depending on final group numbers.
Each month, we’ll talk with celebrities, cruise lovers and crew about their passion for cruising. To launch our new column, we pull up a deck chair with well-known TV, radio and newspaper journalist, travel writer, social justice campaigner and charity ambassador, Tracey Spicer.
 
What do you love about cruising?
“As a mother of two, I'm always looking for experiences or destinations that are child-friendly. Cruising is fabulous for our family because we don't have to lug luggage each day. We just flop and drop. It's easy to budget on a cruise too because accommodation, food and most activities are included in the price. My family and I can’t wait for our next cruise adventure!”
What are your favourite destinations?
“It’s a toss-up between Tahiti and the French Alps. Both destinations live up to the hype. We also had a wonderful time on a Captain Cook cruise around Fiji’s Yasawa Islands a couple of years ago. We snorkelled, kayaked and read books. It was bliss.”
What’s a destination you’d love to travel to?
“I've never been to China. That's next on the list!”
What’s a special moment on your travels you remember fondly?
“I'll never forget when our kids were toddlers in the chaotic and colourful square of Marrakesh. Grace had snakes draped around her neck while Taj was kissing a monkey!”
What tips do you have for travelling?
“Choose the right destination for your age. There is a perfect place for every stage of our lives.”
Australian Ships Getting Larger
P&O Cruises will soon have six ships based year-round in Australia with news that local Princess Cruises vessel, Dawn Princess, will be renamed Pacific Explorer for P&O in May 2017. Boasting four pools and eight restaurants, the 77,441-ton Pacific Explorer will be P&O Cruises’ largest Australian ship. She will showcase contemporary innovations like The Pantry international food court. This venue also features on P&O’s Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, which will debut in Australia on November 25. Explore cruises with P&O on our website
 
Did you know?
* Dawn Princess was christened in 1997 by the original cast of the ‘Love Boat’ TV show.
* Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden will have special comic touches for humour-loving Aussies like trumpet-shaped lights, numbered stairs for those who like to count steps and lifts containing 3D painted scenes so you appear to be stepping into an idyllic setting.
Dawn Princess will be replaced in Australia year-round by the much larger 108,865-ton Golden Princess, which visited our shores for the first time late last month. It is now based in Melbourne for the summer as the biggest ship to ever homeport there. Cruise Express Brand Manager Richard Boyce recently boarded Golden Princess to see what she offers local cruisers. Impressive features are the distinctive nightclub and lounge suspended above the pool and accessed by a moving walkway on a glass-wrapped bridge. See what Richard thought of Golden Princess in his online review,
and to search for Princess Cruises sailings
 
Did you know?
Over half the cabins on Golden Princess offer balconies and the ship is also the first ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to feature specialty dishes selected by Australian celebrity chef, Curtis Stone.
Meanwhile, our team also stepped aboard Holland America Line’s elegant ms Noordam, now serving her inaugural season in Australia. To find out what Virginia and Richard thought of ms Noordam or to see a review on a ship you're considering for your next cruise,
 
Turning to other news, the futuristic, 5000-passenger Ovation of the Seas is nearing completion in Germany (see below) ahead of her christening next April and first cruise Down Under. The $1.3 billion ‘mega-ship’ boasts a glass observation capsule suspended 91m above the sea, a skydiving simulator, cocktail-making robots, a flying trapeze school, a bumper car ride, 19 restaurants and cafes and wristbands that open cabin doors. To be amongst the first to sail aboard Ovation of the Seas in Australian waters,
Canary Islands and Madeira
Savouring the colourful cultures of Spain and Portugal can sometimes be difficult in their big cities but in the Spanish-owned Canary Islands and on Portuguese-controlled Madeira, you can experience these vibrant cultures at their authentic best. Cruise Express Managing Director, Meg Hill, recently journeyed to these remote islands off the North African coast and found them wonderfully alluring.
“Madeira and the Canaries are rarely visited by Australians but if you’re looking for exciting, new horizons and leisurely days at sea to get there and back, they are perfect,” says Meg. “These destinations are off the beaten trail and boast a warm, sub-tropical climate as well as lush scenery, lovely beaches, friendly locals, amazing, volcanic moonscapes and fantastic fruits and seafood.” Meg’s insider tip on Madeira is the cable car ride up to Monte and the fun, wicker sled rides back down winding roads to the port of Funchal. Meg sailed to the region from Southampton aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas. Lines like Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, P&O UK and MSC also sail there. To search for cruises to the Canaries and Madeira,
or call and ask for Meg on 1300 766 537.
 
Above left: Funchal on the island of Madeira; Above right: Timanfaya National Park - Lanzarote
Facebook Competition
When in Rome, they say, do as the Romans do. Discovering the essence of a destination like a local is always special so we want to hear your suggestions. Share with us your insider’s tip about a place where you’ve enjoyed an authentic, local experience. The tip that receives the most likes on our Facebook page will win a copy of National Geographic’s lavish book ‘Where the Locals Go’ which profiles over 300 secret places to eat, play, shop and relax around the world. Write your answer as a comment in the competition post on our Facebook page, now followed by over 42,000 cruise lovers just like you. The winner will be announced November 30, so share your tip now! Good luck!
“Our trip on your ‘Colours of New England’ tour in Canada and the US was just magic. We want to thank Warren and Cruise Express for a wonderful holiday. As host, Warren was absolutely fantastic, delivering great service from start to finish. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. This was our third booking with Cruise Express and we plan to do another cruise at the end of 2016. We find Cruise Express very helpful in booking holidays – they always answer your call and promptly help you. Our thanks to all concerned.”
Betty and Laurie, Chipping Norton, NSW
Above: Betty and Laurie with the captain of Celebrity Summit, Kate McCue
Jokes Afloat!
Waiting
A passenger on a cruise ship offering flexible dining times rang the ship’s restaurant to book a reservation for dinner that night, asking for a 7pm booking. The reservationist replied: “I’m so sorry but 7pm is not available but we can offer you 6.45pm if that’s OK?” “Yes, that’s fine,” the passenger said. The reservationist added: “OK but just be advised you may have to wait 15 minutes for your table!”DISCLAIMER: *All fares quoted herewith are subject to change without notice and availability at the time of booking.
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