428: Save up to 70% this week with Australia's Best Cruise Travel Company

Issue 428 | 8 January 2009 Hi Cruisers, Philippa and I spent three relaxing nights on Oceania's Nautica sailing from Townsville to Brisbane over last weekend. We flew direct on JetStar to Townsville, that's the third time we've used JetStar and have to say they are very good, at least they are on time! It has been three years since we've been to Townsville and the amount of building that's going on there is incredible, especially the apartment buildings. They are also building a new cruise facility which is much needed. We arrived at the ship at 10am, much earlier than our 2pm allocated time, but what the heck, they could only say no. We made it past two security guards and arrived at the reception and in true style of a luxury brand, the receptionist asked our names and handed over our room keys, called the butler and whisked us away to our room, very good first impression and to be honest, was our first test for Oceania which they passed with flying colors! As you may or may not know, the ships are the old R ships, same as Pacific Princess, they are a great size and easy to get around. The feeling on board is relaxed Country Club style, no dressing up at night and in fact, I wore a open neck shirt and slacks to dinner and that was the general dress at night on board although, when we were talking to the General Manager, he did say "dress on board is Country Club casual, but as you can see, not everyone comes from the same Club" I immediately liked this guy! We spent the first day relaxing around the pool, it's been a busy year for us so it was great to get on a ship for a few days to catch up on some rays, afternoon Nana Naps and watch the odd movie. Our first dinner was in the Italian Restaurant, I should mention that all specialty restaurants onboard have no surcharges, you just have to make a reservation. Of course the Chef and the Maitre D are Italian and the food was great! Wine selection was good and not what I would call over priced. We had a very nice Pinot from Napa Valley for $47.00, if you don't finish the bottle, they'll keep it for you and you can request to finish it in any restaurant, I'm really liking this ship and I've only been on 12 hours! After dinner we met up with some of our group for a few more drinks. Our next day was spent anchored just off Hamilton Island, we've been there before and were just going to stay on the ship however, it was a nice day and Philippa was sleeping in so I decided to get on the tender and go for a coffee and what a surprise, there is so much construction and building going on there including a new Yacht Club which looks fantastic. As expected though, it was packed with tourists and everything including buggies were booked out. I had a quick beach swim which I found out after I'd finished was a bad idea, it's stinger season, no wonder there were not many people swimming! I was back on board the ship for lunch, we sat at the Stern of the Ship under and umbrella overlooking the WhitSunday Islands enjoying a sumptuous lunch, life was great for a couple of hours enhanced by a few beers of course. The head waiter realized I liked my beer cold and when I returned from the buffet, I was surprised to find an ice bucket with a Heineken inside! Another great example of excellent customer service. I won't bore you with the rest of the trip as the weather did turn against us and forced more movie watching, but I have to say, I'm a fan of Oceania and yes, we did pay for the three night cruise so this is not an advertisement for them, but I guess you know me well enough now to know, I don't beat around the bush and only write something like this when it's called for. It's good timing because they have released some 2009 Mediterranean sailings with savings of up to 70%! We have packaged these and included them in the newsletter below. This week's Oceania Specials for 2009! Mediterranean Classics, 11 night fly/cruise & stay from $3849.00! - Click here Historic Reflections, 11 night fly/cruise & stay from $4499 - Click here Classical Empires, 11 night fly/cruise & stay from $5199 - Click here Enchanted Jaunt, 13 night fly/cruise & stay from $5499 - Click here Mythical Medley, 13 night fly/cruise & stay from $5599 - Click here This week's Costa Specials from Asia! 18 night Costa Classica Hong Kong return package from $2599.00 - click here 17 night Hong Kong to Tianjin from $2899.00 - click here 16 night Singapore to Hong Kong package from $2799.00 - click here Keep Cruising, Brett It's the year of the OX In 2009, Chinese New Year starts on 26 January. People born in the Year of the Ox (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. They are easy-going, but occassionally they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people. To bring you and your family good fortune and prosperity throughout the year, don't forget to wear something red or gold and greet people with 'Kung Hei Fat Choi!' during Chinese New Year. Newsletter Links Brett's Letter Cruise Specials Cruise News Your Feedback ecruising Links Ecruising.travel Contact Us FAQ POSH Club About Us Recently Added Cruises Enchanted Jaunt Oceania Nautica From $5,499 Classical Empires II Oceania Nautica From $6,199 Mythical Medley Oceania Insignia From $5,599 Mediterranean Classics Oceania Insignia From $5,199 Classical Empires Insignia Oceania Insignia From $5,199 Historic Reflections Oceania Insignia From $4,499 Tahitian Escapade Pacific Princess From $3,599 New York New York on QM2 Queen Mary 2 From $3,799 Legendary Rome to Dubai Legend From $4,899 Panama Canal & Caribbean Jewels of the Seas From $3,949 Keep track of the latest cruises with ecruising's RSS feed! What is RSS? This Week's Top 10 South Pacific Wonders Rhapsody From $999 Auckland to Sydney on Sale! Diamond Princess From $1,199 NZ to Oz on Millennium Millennium From $1,699 New Zealand on Rhapsody Rhapsody From $1,199 Oriental Jewels Fly/Cruise Costa Classica From $2,599 Pacific & Hawaii Discovery Dawn Princess From $2,799 Hawaii & South Pacific Sun Princess From $4,599 Discover New Zealand Rhapsody From $1,299 2009 Sydney to Bangkok Diamond Princess From $2,899 2009 Mediterranean Journey Costa Concordia From $2,799 2009 Cruise Tours Journey of Discovery M.V. Orion From $8,999 2010 Cruise Tours QM2 & African Safari QM2 From $10,699 Pacific Introduction   7nts on board Pacific Dawn and visits Isle of Pines & Noumea in the Pacific. Departing 13 Oct 2009 From $899.00 Sydney to Fremantle   9nts on board Pacific Sun, visitng Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Bunbury & Fremantle. Departing 7 Dec 2009 From $949.00 South Pacific Delights   9nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting Port Vila, Lifou & Isle of Pines. Departing 11 Mar 2009 From $999.00 South Pacific Retreat   10nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting Pentecost, Vila, Ouvea & Noumea. Departing 6 Apr 2009 From $1,299.00 Island Delight   28nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti & Fiji. Departing 4 Jun '09 From $2,649.00 South Pacific Discovery   9nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting Emerald Bay, Noumea, Ouvea & Isla of Pines. Departing Jul, Aug & Nov 2009 From $1,099.00 Pacific Explorer from Sydney   11nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting Luganville, Wala, Champagne Bay, Vila & Lifou. Departing 3 Aug 2009 From $1,099.00 Dawn Surprises   11nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting Luganville, Wala, Champagne Bay, Vila & Lifou. Departing 20 Oct 2009 From $1,399.00 Dawn Spalsh   10nts on board Pacific Dawn, visiting New Caledonia & Vanuatu. Departing Oct, Nov 2009 & Jan 2010 From $1249.00 New Zealand on Pacific Dawn   13nt on board Pacific Dawn, visiting New Zealand ports such as Fiordland & Dunedin. Departing 1 Feb 2010 From $1,399.00 Oriental Jewels Fly/Cruise   Just Reduced! 18 night package with Classica including return airfare & 3nts in Hong Kong. 21 May & 5 Jun 2009 From $2,599.00 Flower of Asia   NEW ITINERARY! 16nts Pacific Sun PLUS onboard credit. Departing 19 Dec 2009 / 4 Jan / 8 Feb 2010. From $2,799.00 Costa & Banyan Tree Special   13 Night package with Costa & Banyan Tree. Departing from May to Oct 2009 From $2,799.00 2009 Sydney to Bangkok   Wow! 21nt Diamond Princess package with airfare, 1nt at Banyan Tree Bangkok + Bangkok transfers! 22 Feb 2009 From $2,899.00 Mediterranean Journey   ON SPECIAL! 13 Night package with Costa Concordia. Departing selected dates between Jan & Mar 2009 From $2,799.00 Mediterranean Classics   SAVE UP TO 70% - 11nt package with Insignia + return airfare & 1nt hotel accommodation. Departing 15 Nov 2009 From $3,849.00 Treasures of the Med   SAVE UP TO 45%! 15 Night package with QV, plus airfare & a night at The Ritz London. Departing 6May 2009 From $4,799.00 Tahitian Escapade   Just Reduced! 12nt package with Pacific Princess + airfares & 2nts hotel accommodation. Departing Oct to Dec 2009 From $3,599.00 2010 Sydney to Dubai   NEW - UP TO 50% OFF! 34 Night Arcadia package PLUS free onboard credit. Departing 24 Feb 2010 From $8,049.00 2010 Hong Kong to Sydney   NEW - UP TO 50% OFF! 35 Night Aurora package PLUS free onboard credit. Departing 9 Feb 2010 From $5,749.00 Don't forget to check www.ecruising.travel for the best deals or call us on 1300 369 848 for more information on any of these cruises! Oasis Highlights 2009's Newbuilds Twelve new ships sail into the global cruise fleet in 2009, adding 26,300 berths -- just a tad more than 2008's nearly 26,000-berth increase. All are likely to be overshadowed -- literally -- by Oasis of the Seas. Commodore Warwick Reunited with QE2 Just over five years since he left QE2 to take command of Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2, Commodore Ron Warwick, who retired in 2006 after 36 years of Cunard service, finds himself again in charge of the most famous ship in the world. Don't forget to check www.ecruising.travel for the best deals or call us on 1300 369 848 for more information on any of these cruises! "We had a Really Fantastic Cruise!"  "We had a Wonderful Time!" You can now submit your feedback to us at www.ecruising.travel Click the "Feedback" link to see how!   Brett Dudley - Editor support@ecruising.travel Castlereagh Chambers, Level 9, 64 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW Australia, 2000 Telephone (02) 9274 4000 or 1300 369 848 | Web Address: http://www.ecruising.travel If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email support@ecruising.travel with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line License number 2TA5076