Cruising

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday August 30, 1996

Andrew Conway

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

P&O launched its 1997 Alaska and the Canadian Rockies brochure earlier this week, offering more than 100 sailings and nine cruise itineraries to some of North America's most spectacular destinations.

The 108-page brochure features cruises on six ships in the five-star Princess fleet, including Crown Princess, Golden Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Star Princess and Sun Princess. There are also cruise-tour options so you can explore Alaska from the water and on land.

One package is a 12-day cruise and land tour, with seven nights at sea on board the luxurious Sun Princess and four nights travelling overland between Seattle and Anchorage. The holiday costs from $3,674 a person in an outside twin-share cabin, which includes a special early booking discount if you book and pay a deposit for the cruise before February 14 next year.

Discounted air fares between Sydney and North America, flying United or Canadian Airlines, are also available.

The tour starts in Seattle, transfers by air to Fairbanks, and includes a stay at the magnificent Denali Lodge with a visit to the wilds of the Denali National Park.

The itinerary includes a journey on the Ultradome Midnight Sun Express, one of the great trains of the region, and a visit to Anchorage. Passengers then board the Sun Princess for the seven-day cruise south via the glaciers to Vancouver. This particular cruise departs on July 8, 1997.

Next year's Princess Alaska cruise season runs from May to September. For further details, pick up a copy of the brochure from your local travel agent or call P&O direct on 132 469.

EASTERN JEWEL

AUSTRALIAN Cruise Lines is offering the best of the Orient on a 32-day cruise on board the superliner QE2 from Sydney as part of the ship's 1997 world voyage. The cruise from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur is priced from $10,098 a person (twin-share) and includes the flight home from Kuala Lumpur and all meals and entertainment while on board the ship.

Passengers depart Sydney on February 11 and cruise to Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef and Darwin before sailing to Bali, Singapore, Manila, Yokohama (Tokyo), Kobe, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Details and bookings, (02) 9922 7099.

MEXICO BOUND

CRUISE for seven nights on board the Majesty of the Seas from Miami to Mexico and the Caribbean from $2,896 a person, a fare which includes the return air fare from Sydney to the US.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise deal is based on an inside twin-berth cabin with private facilities but an upgrade to an outside cabin is available for just $120 a person.

The sailing dates are October 27, and November 3, 10, 17 and 24. The cruise calls at Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel in Mexico, before returning to Miami. Bookings, (02) 9959 3922.

ISLAND LIFE

ROYAL Caribbean Cruises is also offering seven-night cruises to the islands of the southern Caribbean from San Juan in Puerto Rico, from $3,201 a person, including the return air fare from Sydney. The Monarch of the Seas will call at Martinique, Barbados, Antigua, St Maarten, St Thomas and the Virgin Islands before returning to San Juan. The fare is based on a twin-berth inside cabin but an outside cabin is available for an extra $120 a person.

This is an ideal family cruise as the third and fourth people in the group sail free. The cruise dates are September 8, 15, 22 and 29. Bookings, (02) 9959 3922.

OL' M AN RIVER

DISCOVER the America of Mark Twain and Huckleberry Finn on board a steamboat cruising the great rivers of America. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is offering savings of up to 25 per cent on selected sailings through to the end of next year, so if you're planning a trip to the States, this could be the ideal detour. Prices start from $US248 (about $A315) a person twin-share for a two-night cruise. Holidays range from two to 14 nights on the legendary Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, and American Queen which operate along the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and take in the delights of Memphis, Nashville, St Louis and New Orleans. Details and bookings, TTW Marketing on (02) 9236 5255.

REEF ESCAPE

BOOK a Great Barrier Reef holiday with Coral Princess Cruises and you can fly from Sydney to Cairns or Townsville return for just $199. Cruise fares start from $599 a person (twin-share) for a two-day cruise to Dunk Island, $999 for a four-day cruise between Cairns and Townsville, via the Hinchinbrook Channel and Outer Barrier Reef, and $1,499 for the seven-day round-trip from Cairns. The special air fare is valid until the end of the year and allows passengers to stay extra days before or after their cruise, offering total flexibility. Bookings, (02) 9922 7099.

RATE FREEZE

Cunard's latest Cruise Guide features detailed information on all sailings offered by the line's seven ships throughout 1997, including a 20 per cent early booking saving for passengers who book their cruise and pay a deposit more than 120 days before departure. Five of Cunard's ships - Queen Elizabeth 2, Royal Viking Sun, Sea Goddess I, Sea Goddess II and Vistafjord - are rated in the world's Top 10. Cunard has also announced it will freeze 1996 rates for 1997 cruises on Vistafjord. Royal Viking Sun will visit Australia and the Orient in October next year as part of an extraordinary 78-night Jewels of the East voyage, for which segments can be booked. The Cruise Guide is available through travel agents or by calling Cunard on (02) 9956-7777 or toll-free 1800 029-956.

BALI HIGH

AUSTRALIAN Cruise Lines is offering a 10-day cruise on the QE2 as part of her 1997 world voyage. The Sydney to Bali cruise is priced from $3,398 a person twin-share which includes the return flight home from Bali. Passengers depart Sydney on February 11, and cruise via Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef and Darwin before arriving in Bali on February 20. The cruise fare includes gourmet meals, on board entertainment and use of the ship's facilities. Bookings, (02) 9922 7099.

CANADA COAST

IF you're looking for a different view of the Canadian coastline, check out three niche market cruise options with The Cruise Brokers. The first is Coastal Labrador Adventure Cruises, which sails the coast of northern Newfoundland and Labrador. The second is on board the MS Norweta to cruise Canada's Arctic Circle, one of the world's great wilderness experiences. The third option is a river cruise on board the MV Canadian Empress, calm-water sailing on the St Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Each cruise offers a unique slice of Canadian life and the chance to see some remote and unspoilt destinations. Bookings, (02) 9281 9543, toll-free 1800 674 943.

© 1996 Sydney Morning Herald

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