Cruisepilot News

NEW Royal Caribbean’s Earlybird Sale

Article posted: January 7th, 2011 by Cruisepilot | No Comments »

Royal Caribbean have just announced their earlybird cruise discount of up to $750pp on a wide selection of 2011-2012 South Pacific, Australian & New Zealand cruises.

With two superior Royal Caribbean ships to be based in Australia in 2011, inlcuding Radiance of the Seas who makes her Australian debut in October 2011 and old-time favourite Rhapsody of the Seas, there is plenty of great itinerary options and amazing cruise deals available!

Don’t forget the early bird catches the worm, so get in quick!

For more details click here or call Cruisepilot on 1300 795 433.

Perfect Tropical Destinations

The 2011 Australasian Cruise Season Begins

Article posted: December 31st, 2010 by Cruisepilot | No Comments »

Many international cruise lines have already arrived in our waters, ahead of the start of the official 2011 Australasian cruise season.

Options for Australian cruises are expanding, giving cruisers even greater variety and choice.

The launch of P & O Cruises’ latest superliner in New Zealand last week, caused a great stir when excited Kiwi’s celebrated the official naming of the Pacific Pearl in Auckland. NZ Olympic gold medalist Barbara Kendall was given the honour of Christening the vessel and being the ships Godmother. The Pacific Pearlwill homeport in both Sydney and Auckland during 2011.

Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess arrival in Sydney, a few days prior to Christmas, marked the start of her 2011 Australian and New Zealand cruise season. The 116,000-tonne Diamond Princess will sail four 12 night voyages between the two countries up until February 2011.

Not to be left out, Western Australia welcomed the arrival of Classic Internationals’ flagship, Athenato their waters last week. Athena will sail a total of 13 voyages, ranging from 2 ro 40 nights from WA, to various destinations including south-west WA, South Australia, Thailand, Bali and Europe. There is currently availability on a number of Athena’s sailings, with fares starting from $445pp t/s for a two night voyage.

For more information, call Cruisepilot on 1300 795 433 or click here to make an e-enquiry.

Don’t forget to become a Facebook fan of Cruisepilot for regular cruise deals, tour deals information and savings!

Uncover the mystique of China with Viking River Cruises

Article posted: December 3rd, 2010 by Administrator | No Comments »

Be captivated by the enigmatic country of China and its rich cultural heritage as you sail along one of the world’s most important and historic waterways – the mighty Yangtze River. Explore the grandeur Beijing with its mysterious Forbidden City and opulent Summer Palace, and walk the storied ramparts of the Great Wall. Then sail along the cliff-bound course of the Yangtze River where some of the world’s most ancient cultural treasures and spectacular landscapes of misty mountains, breathtaking gorges and serene lagoons can be found. Admire Xian’s extraordinary terra cotta army, and uncover the marvels of the gleaming metropolis of Shanghai. Discover the many faces of China with Viking River Cruises.

China boasts the world’s longest-standing civilization as well as some of the world’s most modern cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing. The imperial centre of the Forbidden City embodies China’s historic determination to keep itself free from outside influence. Walled from the outside world, the mysterious Forbidden City is home to a magnificent palace complex containing an unrivalled treasure trove of architecture, antiquities, jewels, sculpture, carvings and more. Tour the opulent Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, stroll the narrow city alleys home to unique communities, and visit the beautifully landscaped grounds of the harmonious Summer Palace.

For 150 miles between Chongqing and Yichang, the Yangtze forces its way through a spectacular barrier of solid limestone ridges known as the Three Gorges. Narrower than the great Three Gorges, the Lesser Three Gorges lie on the Daning River where sheer cliffs and steep mountains rise and clear water flows between towering peaks covered in history. Tour the Three Gorges Dam, an engineering marvel that has changed the face of China.

All along the narrow course of the Yangtze lie natural wonders, diverse landscapes and little rural villages where life goes on much as it has for centuries. Viking River Cruises is grateful to have had the opportunity to sponsor the building of much-needed schools in several of the villages. You will be warmly greeted by the children to experience life in China through their eyes as you stop by for an exclusive visit.

In the Badaling Hills near Beijing lies the fabled Great Wall of China. Surrounded by legends the Great Wall symbolises the vast sweep of Chinese history as its path snakes and winds across the breathtaking hills. Also encircled by an ancient city wall is the city of Xian, filled with the music and dance of the Tang Dynasty and home to an astonishing archaeological treasure, the Qin Mausoleum. Listen to the drums as dancers in elaborate costumes enact traditional Chinese stories, and explore the remarkable terra cotta army where more than 7,000 life-sized archers, infantrymen, soldiers, horses and chariots still protect the afterlife of its first emperor.

Shanghai is a city of all things grand and modern. Gleaming skyscrapers, sleek financial institutions and world-class designer boutiques stand next to the old Shanghai with its narrow lanes, bustling street markets, sights and scents of times past. Travel along the famous Bund, the city’s elegant waterfront promenade, gaze upon the exquisite gardens, and marvel at the extraordinary range of architecture.

Witness China’s ancient treasures and extraordinary landscapes with Viking River Cruises on the 12-day Imperial Jewels of China, 16-day Roof of the World or 17-day China’s Cultural Delights itineraries to receive the ultimate China experience. For more information on these intriguing itineraries click here.

APT MS Amabella 7 nights Rhine & Main rivers Holland & Germany

Article posted: November 24th, 2010 by Cruisepilot | No Comments »

Follow Cruisepilot’s Greg as he journeys through the rivers of Europe on board APT’s new Flag Ship, the MS Amabella, for a 7 night cruise along the Rhine & Main rivers through Holland & Germany.

 Our bus drives around the waterfront side of Amsterdam’s central train station & viola, there is Amabella & 2 other river vessels tied up to small finger wharves. Our bus pulls up, we collect our bags & walk no more than 50 metres to the gangplank where crew happily take care of our luggage. At the top of the gangplank we enter the reception lobby, staff behind the counter ask our names & immediately provide room keys. I am then escorted to my room & find myself in my room, with my luggage already delivered, no more than 2 minutes after getting off the bus!

For an experienced Ocean cruiser but first time River cruiser, the ease & hassle free embarkation procedure is very welcome! No lines, no security checks, no immigration or customs inspections, no waiting around, just welcome onboard!

First impressions of Amabella as I walk around exploring are;

• She’s very new, & fresh.
• all the interior décor in both my suite & in the public areas is understated, modern, contemporary.
• She’s full of glass, the lounge at front of ship is full of floor to ceiling glass windows down both sides & across the front [which will be in-valuable for the scenic cruising to come]
• She’s easy to get about [especially compared to ocean going cruise ships] , basically there are just 4 decks with most of the public spaces at the front of the vessel. The Bella Cucina & Verde Restaurant is on the lower Cello deck, with the Reception lobby, Library, Gift shop,  Main Lounge & Bar directly above on Violin deck. Directly above again are the Lower Sun Deck , Navigation bridge & Heated Pool.  The higher Sun Deck extends almost all the way to the stern of the ship & features walking track, putting green, giant chess & most importantly more than enough Deck chairs/ Sun loungers for every passenger. At the rear of the Sun Deck stairs go down 1 deck to the Fitness centre on Violin deck where you will find 2 state of the art exercise bikes & 1 treadmill, a small sauna, shower & toilet. Across the hall you will find the Beauty Salon & at stern end of Violin deck is the intimate fine dining restaurant, Erlebris Chef’s Table.

Stay tuned for more information on  MS Amabella

To search for cheap River Cruise deals click here or call 1300 795 433

Greetings from Amsterdam

Article posted: October 28th, 2010 by Cruisepilot | No Comments »

Hi all, well here I am in Amsterdam for a couple of nights before boarding APT’s new Flag Ship, the MS Amabella, for a 7 night cruise along the Rhine & Main rivers through Holland & Germany.

I’m very pleased we had a couple of days in Amsterdam prior to boarding the MS Amabella for a couple of reasons.

Its given my body clock a chance to adjust to the time change, unlike some of my fellow passengers who flew in direct from Oz on the morning the cruise began & who are still struggling with their sleep patterns.

There is plenty to see in Amsterdam & although the ship stays over night here & offers passengers a short morning city tour + either a canal cruise or a visit to the Van Gough Museum, the morning goes very quickly!  I chose the Van Gough museum option & the allotted  90 mins went by very fast, I could have easily spent another hour there.

During our  2 pre-cruise days I did a morning bicycle tour of the city [19 euros for 3.5 hours]Amsterdam not only has canals every where but has dedicated bike lanes on many streets.

Our guide, AJ, from OrangeBikes, was great & showed us many parts of the city & despite the cold, damp conditions the group really enjoyed the chance to travel around the city like a local!

We also did the Heineken Brewery Experience one afternoon [takes about 90minutes, not counting the beer tasting at the end] and we also visited the Anne Frank House, which tells the story of a young Jewish girl & her family who are forced into hiding in secret rooms at the back of a house during the Nazi occupation to escape deportation to a concentration camp, its extremely well done, very thought provoking & a must do for 1^st time visitors.

Tomorrow the MS Amabella begins to cruise.

For more information on our latest APT European River Cruise specials, click here to contact Cruisepilot or call 1300 795 433.

Greg

Call Cruisepilot for specials on APT River Cruises departing Amsterdam