Private charters for Burma and Galapagos

MAJOR internet cruising operator ecruising.travel is broadening the diversity of its already extensive cruise catalogue for 2016 by exclusively chartering two new ships to operate unique cruise-tour itineraries which have already reached 50 percent capacity.

The two luxurious vessels, currently under construction, are APT's the RV Samantha and Ecoventura's MV Origin (pic above).

Managing director Brett Dudley said ecruising is constantly searching the world for new types of cruise experiences to add to its already comprehensive choice of exclusive packages.

"These great opportunities have already proven popular with past ecruising passengers and members of our POSH Club Loyalty Program, but also have high appeal for first-time ecruising travellers who are looking for a different cruise experience."

Ecruising will use the newly built ships in its trade mark format of high-end fly/tour/cruise packages which the company is renowned for. These two new itineraries will include return economy airfares from Australia,  pre and post five star accommodation, cruise accommodation with all meals and sightseeing, land touring and transportation.

For 2016 the MV Smanatha will be exclusively charter for an 18-night cruise tour including a 14 night cruise on Myanmar's historic Irrawaddy River from Yangon to Mandalay.

The second unique opportunity will be aboard MV Origin, the most luxurious ship to sail Galapagos, for a 19-night adventure including a seven-night journey around the Galapagos Islands.

More details available from ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Ponant Alaska fly-stay-cruise package

#expeditioncruising

ECRUISING group of companies have begun a new partnership with French luxury expedition cruise line Compagnie du Ponant in 2015 and to celebrate are offering complimentary return economy airfares from Sydney, one-way flight from Juneau to Anchorage and one night complimentary pre and post cruise hotel accommodation when you book before March 31, 2015.

Ecruising has designed an exclusive nine-night fly/stay/cruise package which includes a seven night cruise from Vancouver to Juneau in Alaska aboard the luxury mega-yacht, L’Austral. Offering elegant and intimate ambience with five star personalised service, the vessel is the ideal size for Alaska with just 132 cabins and able to moor in areas not accessible by the larger ships.

Zodiac cruising and sightseeing

Depart Australia on July 10 and have a night in Vancouver before boarding L’Austral. Sail through the Johnstone Strait in Canada before reaching your first port stop, Ketchikan in Alaska. From here you will visit some of the more off-the-beaten track locations in Alaska such as Misty Fjords, Kasaan, Sitka, Dunas Bay, Hoonah and Tracy Arm before reaching your final destination, Juneau.

Another added bonus of this package is that there is no single supplement charge on the cruise portion, saving solo travellers up to 50 per cent.

This exclusive package is priced from $5679 per person twin share and also includes all meals captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner, all house beverages and alcoholic drinks on board L’Austral, outings in Zodiac dinghies with experienced naturalist-guides, transfers and port charges and government taxes.

Passengers from other capital cities can be accommodated with a supplement charged for return domestic flights to Sydney. Additional payment from Perth is from $566, Adelaide from $284, Melbourne from $278 and Brisbane from $260, these are subject to availability.

For more details from ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Luxury Seabourn Quest voyage to Antarctica

Luxury Journey to the Seventh Continent

Cruise from colourful Valparaiso in Chile to the flamboyant Buenos Aires in Argentina on board the elegant Seabourn Quest, part of a luxury expedition cruise package now available from cruise specialist ecruising.travel.

The voyage departs on December 20 and includes extensive scenic cruising through Reloncavi Sound, Gulf of Corcovado, Chilean Fjords, Amalia Glacier, Canal Sarmiento, Glacier Alley and Beagle Channel.

A highlight of this special cruise is the five day Antarctica experience, which consists of five planned Antarctica landings via Zodiacs that hold a maximum of 100 people. This ensures guests receive an up close and personal experience ashore exploring the spectacular landscape and wildlife.

Onshore visits will also be made at Puerto Mont, Castro and Punta Arenas in Chile, Ushuaia in Argentina, Grytviken in South Georgia and Montevideo in Uruguay. Whilst on board you can take part in special guest lectures, photography workshops and other exclusive amenities and activities to enhance your cruising experience.

The package also includes return economy air fares from Australia, three nights at the Ritz Carlton Santiago, three nights at the Alvear Palace Buenos Aires, 24 night Seabourn suite accommodation, all gourmet meals and complimentary open bar on board, Santiago and Buenos Aires city tours, air and port taxes as well as all airport transfers.

Prices start from $21,799 per person twin share for Sydney, Gold Coast and Perth passengers, from $22,129 from Adelaide and from $22,149 for Melbourne passengers. Prices are subject to change due to the airfare component of the package.

The voyage is on sale until February 28. For more details contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Jahan Luxury Mekong Cruise

MANY of the mysteries of Asia's mighty Mekong River can be explored on a specially discounted voyage with cruise specialist ecruising.travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap aboard the privately chartered vessel, The Jahan.

A superior stateroom with balcony on the 2013 voyage is now priced from $4399 per person twin share, if you book before April 30.

Departing Australia on September 18, the 13-night itinerary begins with a stopover in Singapore staying at the Shangri-La before flying to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Spend two days sightseeing including a guided tour of the famous underground Chu Chi tunnels.

Travel to My Tho to board your chartered vessel, The Jahan, for a seven night cruise up the Mekong River to Cambodia. The Jahan offers the boutique service of private shore excursions or the choice to explore port stops at your leisure. Disembark in historic Siem Reap for three nights at the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, which includes a full day tour of the Angkor Wat complex.

The price includes return economy airfares from all Australian capital cities with Singapore Airlines, six nights' accommodation at deluxe hotels- including the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City- with daily breakfast, seven nights cruise accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with balcony and full board, private shore excursions with a cruise concierge, traditional entertainment, comprehensive sight-seeing with an English speaking guide including entrance fees, all transportation and transfers and port charges and government taxes.

Due to limited availability be quick to secure a spot by contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or check out www.ecruising.travel 

Ocean Magazine - Ocean Cruising - Issue 47

Feature: Tui Tai Fiji. News mentions: ecruising.travel, Icon Journeys, Cruiseco

Exclusive Mekong Magic Cruise Tour With Celebrity Chef

CRUISE specialist ecruising.travel has just released their 2013 exclusive luxury cruise tour from Hanoi to Siem Reap with celebrity chef and owner of Melbourne's Coda bar and restaurant Adam D'Sylva to accompany guests on board the privately chartered vessel, The Jahan.

Departing Australia on September 14, 2013, the 17-night itinerary begins in Vietnam with sightseeing in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City including a private overnight stay on the Baya Classic junk boat in the Heritage Listed Halong Bay.

In My Tho you will board your privately chartered vessel, The Jahan, for a seven night cruise up the Mekong River to Cambodia. During the voyage, Adam D'Sylva will conduct cooking classes and prepare special menus for guests. The Jahan offers the boutique service of private shore excursions or the choice to explore port stops at your leisure. Disembark in historic Siem Reap for three nights at the Amansara Resort, recently voted best hotel in Asia, which has been exclusively hired for guests on this tour and is inclusive of breakfast, dinner and beverages. Guests will also have access to a private rickshaw, driver and guide whilst at the resort.


Priced from $7939 per person twin share it includes return economy airfares with Vietnam Airlines from Sydney, nine nights' accommodation at  deluxe hotels - the Intercontinental West Lake Hanoi and Park Hyatt Saigon,  daily breakfasts and most lunches and dinners, eight nights cruise accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with balcony and full board, private shore excursions with a cruise concierge, cooking classes with Adam D'Sylva, traditional entertainment, gratuities, comprehensive sight-seeing with an English speaking guide, all transportation and transfers.

Due to limited availability be quick to secure a spot by contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or check out www.ecruising.travel/mekong

eCruising Now Representing InnerSea Discoveries

eCruising group of companies are now an Australian representative of niche cruising operator InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises with their new partnership, which began on July 1.

Known as the Un-Cruise company, InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises have been operating since 1997 and have a fleet of six vessels which carry from 22 to 86 guests. They specialise in adventure voyages in Alaska, the Colombia and Snake Rivers, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes and Washington and British Colombia.

Founder and chairman Brett Dudley said they were very excited to have Inner Sea Discoveries on board to widen the range of product that ecruising offers the Australian market.

He adds, “Representing InnerSea Discoveries adds another dimension to our range and fills a gap for adventure small ship cruising. We were looking for another luxury adventure product to replace Cruise West after it closed down and this will be a perfect complement to our existing cruise options”.

Travel agents can log on to view the product through www.cruiseagents.travel or call 1300-558-864

$4000 OFF GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE

$4000 OFF GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE

HUGE savings of more than $4000 per person are now available for last minute bookings on the voyage of a lifetime to the exotic Galapagos Islands with ecruising.travel, now costing from only $5999 per person.

You can make your dream a reality with a visit to these unique and pristine islands which are one of the most active volcanic areas in the world, with an abundance of bird, marine and animal life. You will spend seven nights on a unique sailing experience observing nature at its best on the privately chartered intimate Yacht La Pinta.

Departing on April 13, you must book and secure your spot by February 29.

This very special price includes return economy airfares from Sydney with Qantas, seven nights on board Yacht La Pinta with all meals and wine with dinner, daily lectures and briefings, tours led by naturalist guides, two nights' accommodation at the Sheraton in Quito and port charges and government fees.

To secure your last minute spot on this tour contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or check out www.ecruising.travel

Mekong: Lost Civilisations Cruise - big savings

CRUISE specialists ecruising.travel have reduced, by more than 50 per cent, the price of their 11-night Lost Civilisations cruise tour, which includes a seven night cruise on board the five star luxury vessel- The Jahan, along the Mekong River. It applies to, all remaining voyages in 2011 and more than 20 departures in 2012.

Discover the in-depth history of Ho Chi Minh City including a guided tour of the famous Chu Chi tunnels used in the 1960’s by Viet infiltrators during the Vietnam War before cruising up the river through Vietnam and Cambodia to arrive at Siem Reap for two nights.

Prices start from $4259 for certain departures in a standard cabin and include return economy airfares with Singapore Airlines from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, two nights’ accommodation at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, city tours with a guide, seven nights cruise accommodation with full board including complimentary room service with house wines and spirits, shore excursions with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, two nights’ accommodation at La Residence d’Angkor in Siem Reap and a tour if Angkor Wat Temples with lunch and transfers.

Those who upgrade to a signature room or suite from $4809 will also receive cabin butler service, daily restocked mini bar, the “A pictorial journey on the Jahan” book, two complimentary days in the spa and a private candlelit dinner at the observatory.

Package must be booked by March 31, 2012.

For more details contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or check out the new website www.ecruising.travel

CRUISE 5-STAR ON ORION INTO ONE OF OUR “LAST FRONTIERS”

Ecruising.travel has a series of 10-night fly/cruises later this year aboard the boutique expedition ship Orion along one of Australia's "last frontiers," taking guests from Darwin to Broome with such unique diversities as flight-seeing the world-famous Bungle Bungle ranges, getting up-close to Australia's most spectacular waterfalls, and wetting the line for reef and feisty surface fish.

The packages represent savings from 30- to almost 50-per cent on ecruising's five sailings on May 11, June 20, July 20, August 9 and September 6 – and also include a free hotel night in the historic pearling town of Broome post-cruise.

After departing Darwin, Orion visits Jaco Island, Wyndham for the Bungle Bungles, King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, the Hunter River for the Mitchell Falls, Montgomery Reef and Raft Point, Talbot Bay for the unique Horizontal Waterfalls, Cape Leveque and the Lacepedes and Broome.

Regional expert lecturers and onboard expedition leaders escort guests on shore excursions, while there are kayaks and snorkelling equipment for when Orion is at anchor, and the opportunity to bottom fish for Golden Snapper, Parrot Fish and Rock Cod, or troll for Trevally and Queen Fish.

Return air from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, all onboard gourmet dining, entertainment and educational programs are included in the price that starts from $9449pp twin-share – or from $8999 for those who've sailed previously on Orion; gratuities are neither required nor expected.

For full details phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

FLY, COACH, CRUISE, RAIL & STAY SOUTH AMERICA AND GALAPAGOS

A truly rare 19-night fly, coach, cruise, rail and stay package to South America and the Galapagos Islands in April of next year has an almost regal touch to it – the just-40 Australians who'll participate in this tour will have the personal services during a private 5-star yacht visit to Galapagos of the guide chosen to escort a British royal there several years ago.

Created by founder and chairman of ecruising.travel, Brett Dudley and his wife Philippa who will jointly lead the tour, it features 12-nights fully-escorted private-coach touring in Chile, Peru and Ecuador with an English-speaking guide, 7-nights private-charter on the yacht La Pinta to Galapagos with all onboard meals, drinks with dinner, daily lectures and briefings, plus sea kay-aking, Zodiacs, glass bottom boats, snorkelling, a stargazing program – and  that British royal's one-time personal guide, Francisco "Pancho" Dousdebes.

And the visit to Galapagos will coincide with the annual frenetic breeding season of one of the world's greatest single gatherings of bird- and sea-life.

The package also includes a full-day's wine-tasting tour on Chile's Cachapoal Wine Route, and a 2-day visit to Machu Picchu aboard the luxury Hiram Bingham Deluxe Train with private English-speaking guides; there is also a day trip to Valparaiso and luxury hotels are used throughout.

The whole 19-nights is priced from $13,399pp twin-share from Sydney on March 31 next year*; for a fully-detailed 11-page itinerary and inclusions phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel  *An optional 4-nights to Easter Island is available at extra cost on the way home.

Truly Getting Up Close And Personal On True North

TWO adventure cruises to the famed Kimberley wilderness region in July and August next year aboard the boutique True North, will feature activities as diverse as barramundi fishing, swimming in remote billabongs, seeing indigenous cave art with onboard naturalists, nudging underneath a vast waterfall, and a coral reef that “rises from the ocean.”

True North will sail these two 7-night cruises from Broome to the Hunter River on July 31 and August 28 2010, carrying just 36-guests served by 20-crew.

Highlights include witnessing the region’s vast tidal movements including “riding the tide” on the ebbing Sale River aboard True North’s expedition boats, and seeing the Montgomery Reef “rising from the ocean” – a phenomenon created when the fast-receding tide drains from the 350 square kilometre reef to expose myriad turtles, dugong, rays and other sea creatures.

True North also explores numerous rivers and one of the Kimberley’s most scenic waterways Prince Frederick Harbour, while shore excursions include the famous Wandjina rock paintings at Raft Point and the boab tree inscribed with HMC Mermaid 1820 by Captain Phillip Parker King 189 years ago.

A helicopter is carried aboard for optional-cost sightseeing flights, a picnic at an otherwise inaccessible billabong and a “Champagne Sunrise.”

Prices start from $7799pp twin-share including all gourmet onboard dining, use of six expedition boats for shore excursions and a light aircraft transfer from the Hunter River to Kununurra; air fares are additional. For full details phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Brett Dudley’s adventure pick of the week

It has to be Adventures in Paradise on True North. It's a 7-night adventure flying from Cairns by private plane to Alotau in PNG. There you'll board True North for a sumptuous Seafood lunch before exploring Milne Bay. I won't go through the whole itinerary however, you can read it online if you click on the link below. It looks amazing and something I'd love to do myself. Apparently the fishing and diving are amazing not to mention you have access to your own helicopter on board! The other good news is, the prices are the cheapest ever for this November's departures. Prices have dropped from $8999.00 to an amazing $6599.00! Click here for itinerary and more details.

Free Air to Join Exclusive Orion Expedition in the Kimberley

Ecruising.travel is offering free return air from all Australian capitals to join expedition cruise ship Orion that it has chartered in May of this year for an exclusive-itinerary 10-nights from Broome to Darwin.

It is also including a night pre-cruise at Broome's famous Cable Beach Resort, a Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception, and wine, beer and soft drinks nightly with dinners created by world-famous Sydney chef, Serge Danserau.

Orion will sail from Broome on May 22, carrying just fifty couples and 75-crew to experience highlights as diverse as the Horizontal Waterfalls (one of the world's greatest natural wonders,) ancient Aboriginal rock-art galleries, the wreck of an aircraft that didn't make it back to the secret WWII Truscott Air-field, dramatically wild coastlines, and star-gazing crystal-clear night skies.

And joining in leading shore excursions will be the Head of Tourism at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia and expert in Ecotourism, Geotourism and Wildlife Tourism, Professor Ross Dowling and his wife Wendy, who is a specialist in her own right in Natural Approaches to Women's Health.

As well, also giving onboard talks and mingling with guests will be former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke and his wife, the author Blanche d'Alpuget.

Prices start from AUD$8,999pp twin-share inclusive of airport/hotel and ship/airport transfers in Broome and Darwin, a personalised spray jacket, all taxes, and even onboard gratuities. Full details 1300 369 848 or www.ecruising.travel

ADDITIONAL CRUISE INFORMATION: Orion will make calls for shore expeditions at Cape Leveque, Talbot Bay (overnight,) Montgomery Reef and Raft Point (overnight,) the Hunter River, Vansittart Bay, the King George River Falls, Wyndham, the Coburg Peninsula and Darwin.

Guests will also have the option of choosing from a wide range of optional tours including sunset camel rides, helicopter and fixed-wing flights over 100-metre waterfalls and the Bungle Bungles, and tours of Broome and Darwin.

ESCAPE WINTER WITH HALF-PRICE FIJI ISLAND CRUISE

A 6-night cruise into Fiji’s spectacular Mamanuca and Yasawa-I-Rara islands in our coming winter months is selling through ecruising.travel for the price of just three nights, saving up to $1200 a couple.

The super-value offering starts from just $2099pp twin-share including return air from Sydney, all onboard dining, a huge range of onboard and shore-side activities, and a night pre- and post-cruise at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island.

Blue Lagoon Cruises will sail these intimate and luxurious Gold Club cruises on select dates to August this year, with port charges, taxes and cruise fuel surcharges included; air taxes are additional.

Cruises begin with complimentary Champagne and Captain’s Welcome Dinner while sailing out of Lautoka, with activities over ensuing days including coral viewing and snorkelling, bush and beach walks, visits to local schools, villages and craft markets, onboard dancing and other entertainment.

Dining highlights include Theme Nights, a dinner ashore under the stars, a beach party and island feast, and a traditional “Yaqona” (kava) ceremony.

For full details phone1300 369 848 and quote product ID 5265 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Voilà! ecruising.travel Makes French Connection

Leading Australian on-line cruise travel agency, ecruising.travel, offers Australian cruisers a new dish on the menu – French.

Marseilles-based La Compagnie des Iles du Ponant (Ponant Cruises) was founded in 1988 and is the premier French-flagged cruise line operating three vessels of remarkably different configuration.

“After a distribution change, we needed a new Antarctic cruise line and we discovered this fantastic French operator,” said ecruising.travel managing director, Brett Dudley, “and these beautiful ships are sure to recreate some of that famous French romance.”

The flagship, Le Ponant, is an intimate but modern, three-masted luxury sailing yacht thoroughly spoiling 64 privileged passengers on mainly Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Red Sea itineraries. C’est magnifique.

The sleek and futuristic Le Levant, could be James Bond’s newest plaything and looks perfectly at home in Monte Carlo or Saint-Tropez. At 100 metres long and with just 45 outside twin cabins, she is trim, taut and très chic. Currently operating Mediterranean voyages with Caribbean and Central America coming soon.

The grande dame, Le Diamant, is a classic expedition vessel built for both comfort and the rigours of Arctic service. At 8000 tonnes she carries 226 passengers to the far corners of the globe including the Arctic, Antarctic, South America, British Isles and the Mediterranean. Pour une grande aventure.

Prices for Le Diamant’s 15-day 2008/09 Antarctic cruise via South Georgia and the Falklands start at A$5799.00pp. Airfares to Ushuaia, Argentina are additional.

For further information please contact Brett Dudley, managing director, on 1300 369 848 or e-mail brett@ecruising.travel