 |  | | Issue 435 | 26 February 2009 | | | Hi Cruisers,
What a week for the cruise industry with a record number of ships here in Sydney. It's just been ship after ship which is great for us as most of the staff have been on to experience them which makes their communication to you even better. There are some photo's below from the ship inspections, of the Kombi, Queen Victoria, and a couple of stories as well. The Kombi has been a real hit this week and some of you even bumped into us, it's always nice to meet up with our clients. Queen Mary II came in this morning and will leave at 1am. Shame, as it's always nice to watch her sail out. The only good thing about her leaving late is 5 of us get to go on for dinner! (Photo's of that next week). This weekend, there'll be two ships anchored in Sydney Harbour, Aurora and Millennium. What an embarrassment to our city. When are the powers that be ever going to get the fact we need a new cruise terminal. I know it's only once a year but if we built something that could accommodate ships that do not fit under the bridge, the cruise lines would base bigger and better ships here year round.
Before we go further, I just wanted to address a complaint by a customer regarding the QM2 deal last week. Please keep in mind we are only the messenger, and a quick one at that. The dilemma is, do we or don't we send you these deals and our answer was yes. The week before when we sent out the Oriana one, we managed to get 18 passengers onboard, not bad. With QM2, by the time we came into the office, it was sold out. Not only is this disappointing for you, but it drives us crazy and basically wasted our whole day. I have raised this with the cruise lines and it's just the way it is, but we'll keep bringing them to you. Even if we get one couple on, I feel it was worth it.
Click to see full-size image... NEW Asian itineraries with Viking River Cruises – This phenomenal itinerary presents some of China's highlights in just 11 days. Cruise the legendary Yangtze between Wuhan and Chongqing through the wildly beautiful Three Gorges and mystical Lesser Gorges. New packages include return air, a night in Shanghai and 10 nights river cruise on board Viking Century Sun. There are two packages - Shanghai to Chongqing or the reverse, click here.
Star Cruises Virgo extend Early Booking Discount to 31 March. Packages start from only $1,549.00 including return flights with Singapore Airlines, 2 nights (1 pre-cruise & 1 post-cruise) at The Novotel Clarke Quay, Singapore, sightseeing options and port/govt taxes. Click here for more.
Our early bird special with complimentary helicopter rides etc has finished on our Private Orion Charter departing Broome on 22 May 2009. We have a new deal now which is $8999.00 for run of ship cabin and FREE return airfare from your nearest capital city. Good news regarding this trip is, Ex Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, and his wife, Blanche d'Alpuget, will be touring with us and will of course be available to chat and share many of the journeys experiences. Join Bob for a cigar and a beer one afternoon for a once in a lifetime opportunity to mix with this iconic Australian. The ladies (and men who like reading) can question Blanche about writing, and the new book she's working on. Professor Ross Dowling, Foundation Professor and Head of Tourism at Edith Cowan University, WA and his wife Wendy will be our guest guides and lecturers on board. Professor Dowling will bring a wealth of knowledge with him and enhance our cultural experience. In 2008 he completed a two year study into Cruising in the Kimberley Region for the Western Australian Government. Professor Dowling specialises in ecotourism, Geotourism, cruising and wildlife tourism and has written books on all of these subjects. Professor Dowling's wife Wendy, is also a seasoned cruise lecturer and during the cruise she will present a lecture on 'Natural Approaches to Women's Health'. There are only 10 suites remaining and we are advertising this in the Australian on the weekend so if you're interested, let us know ASAP, Philippa and I would love you to join us.... Call and chat to me or if I'm busy or down at a ship, ask for Karen. Click here for details.
Just released is NEW 2010 Costa Cruises program. In this edition we have some of the Asian cruises to choose from. We'll have more of the new program out in next weeks newsletter including the three new ships to be launched by Costa this year! Costa Romantica and Costa Classica have new Asian itineraries, these are sister ships and of good quality. Good news is, Allegra is going back to Italy! There are new Asian itineraries available throughout 2010 starting with a 16 night cruise package on Costa Romantica, Singapore to Tianjin from $3,099.00. We've included return airfares with Singapore Airlines, all transfers in Singapore, one night pre cruise at the Fairmont Hotel and 15 nights on Romantica. Romantica will visit Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Cheju with overnights in Shanghai and Tianjin. click here for details. A selection of the Asian program loaded is below under Costa's 2010 new cruises, or click here for the full list.
Save up to $2000 per couple on Queen Victoria Sydney to Hong Kong. Free Upgrades and past Cunard guests receive an additional 5% off this Sector. Departs 20 Feb 2010 includes 18 nights on board Queen Victoria, 2 nights (post-cruise) at the Peninsula, Hong Kong and one-way airfares from Hong Kong to your nearest capital city. click here for more.
Queen Mary 2 Cruise and African Safari. Sydney to Cape Town sailing this is selling like hotcakes so don't miss out – only 10 spaces left. An amazing 25 nights package including 7 night luxury African Safari Experience with 3 nights at the Mount Nelson Hotel, 2 nights at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge with all meals and game drives, 2 nights at the Royal Livingstone Hotel plus sightseeing tours, exclusive dinners and transfers plus flight from Johannesburg with a free stopover in Singapore. Click here for more
We have another red hot special onboard Norwegian Pearl. This 7 night package departing 3 May 2009, LA to Vancouver from only $1,899.00 including airfares and 1 night accommodation at both ends and return economy class airfares. But be quick - this offer ends Friday 27th at close of business. Click here for details
Cruise from Singapore to Rome with Costa Allegra. Costa has released a fantastic repositioning cruise on Allegra from Singapore to Rome, and we have packaged it up with some great extras. Our 34 night package includes one night accommodation in both Singapore and Rome, 32 nights cruise accommodation on Allegra and return airfare with Singapore Airlines from only $5599! This also includes all Port/Govt taxes and onboard gratuities, so get in quick. Click here for more
Here's a sample of Costa's 2010 new cruises
Asia Northbound - 16 nights from $3,399.00 - Click here
Far East Adventure - 16 nights from $3,099.00 - Click here
Asian Delights - 18 nights from $3,349.00 - Click here
Immersive Asia - 17 nights from $4,299.00 - Click here
P&O Deals of the Week - Up to 50% off Pacific Dawn and free onboard credit!
Dawn New Year Cruise - 12 nights from $2399 - Click here
Pacific Dawn Paradise - 14 nights from $2149 - Click here
South Pacific Expedition - 16 nights from $2099 - Click here
South Pacific Cruising - 11 nights from $1949 - Click here
Island Rhythm - 10 nights from $1749 - Click here
New Zealand on Pacific Dawn - 13 nights from $1449 - Click here
Dawn Splash - 10 nights from $1349 - Click here
Keep Cruising,
Brett and the ecruising team
"If you cannot do great things; do small things in a great way"
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This Week's Top 10
2009 Cruise Tours
2010 Cruise Tours
 | | | |  | |  | Yangtze - The Long River  | | New Release! 11 night Viking river cruise package including airfare & a night in Shanghai. Departs Apr to Oct 2009 | From
$3,799.00 |  | Yangtze Explorer | | 11 night package with Viking, Shanghai to Chongqing plus airfare & a night in Shanghai. Departs Mar to Oct 2009 | From
$3,799.00 |  | Malaysian Sampler | | Earlybird Special - 4 night package with SuperStar Virgo, including 2 nights in Singapore. Departs Apr to Sep 2009 | From
$1,549.00 |  | An Andaman Adventure | | 5 night Virgo package with 2 nights in Singapore, return airfare, transfers & dining credit! Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | From
$1,699.00 |  | Andaman Sea Sights | | Great 7 night Star Cruises package with return air, 2 nights in Singapore plus more. Departing Apr 2009 to 2010 | From
$1,999.00 |  | Far East Adventure | | 17 night cruise package with Costa Romantica including a night in Singapore & return airfare. Departing 12 Jun 2010 | From
$3,099.00 |  | Marvels of the Orient | | 16 night Classica package with 2 nights in Hong Kong, airfare, Peak Tram Pass & more. Nov 2009 to Nov 2010 | From
$3,099.00 |  | Asian Delights | | Shanghai to Singapore, 18 night Romantica package with accomodation, airfare & transfers. Departs 21 Oct 2010 | From
$3,349.00 |  | South East Asian Affair | | 16 night package with Romantica including 2 nights in Singapore and return airfare. Departs Nov & Dec 2010 | From
$3,349.00 |  | L.A. to Vancouver | | Book by Friday! 7 night special with a night in both L.A. and Vancouver, plus return airfare! Departs 3 May 2009 | From
$1,899.00 |  | QM2 - Sydney to Cape Town | | Just Reduced - 20 night package with 2 nights in Cape Town, airfare, a tour & more! Departs 8 Mar 2010 | From
$5,599.00 |  | QM2 - Hong Kong to Sydney | | Just Reduced - 25 night package including airfare, 2 nights in Hong Kong, transfers & more. Departs 13 Feb 2010 | From
$6,999.00 |  | QM2 - Singapore to Sydney | | Great Savings - 31 night package with airfare, a night in Singapore & transfers. Departing 6 Feb 2010 | From
$8,199.00 |  | QM2 - Cruise & Safari | | ECRUISING EXCLUSIVE! 25 night cruise & African safari package - Only 10 cabins left. Departs 8 Mar 2010 | From
$10,699.00 |  | QM2 - Sydney to New York | | Huge 39 night package including airfare, a night in N.Y, & up to $500 onboard credit! Departs 8 Mar 2010 | From
$11,799.00 |  | Kimberley Voyage of Discovery | | FLY FREE! Exclusive ecruising charter across the Top end of Australia, with Run of Ship Special! Departing 22 May 2009 | From
$8,999.00 |  | 2009 Dawn Splash | | Free Onboard Credit! Quad Special, 10 nights on board Pacific Dawn. Departs Oct 2009 to Jan 2010 | From
$1,349.00 |  | New Zealand on Pacific Dawn | | 13 night cruise plus onboard credit - Up to 50% off! Quad Special departing from Sydney 1 Feb 2010 | From
$1,449.00 |  | Island Rhythm | | Free Onboard Credit! 10 nights on board Pacific Dawn. Departing from Sydney 28 Mar 2010 | From
$1,749.00 |  | South Pacific Cruising | | 11 night cruise with Pacific Dawn - Up to 50% off & free onboard credit! Departs 26 Apr 2010 | From
$1,949.00 |  | South Pacific Expedition | | 16 nights visiting New Caledonia, Tonga & Fiji, including onboard credit. Departing 9 Sep 2009 | From
$2,099.00 |  | Pacific Dawn Paradise | | Free Onboard Credit! 14 nights on board Pacific Dawn. Departing from Sydney 15 Nov 2009 | From
$2,149.00 |  | Dawn New Year Cruise | | 12 nights on board Pacific Dawn plus Free onboard credit!. Departs 28 Dec 2009 | From
$2,399.00 |  | San Fran to Auckland | | 24 night package with Star Princess, including a night in San Fran & Auckland plus airfare. Departs 23 Sep 2009 | From
$4,549.00 |  | San Fran to Sydney | | 31 night Star Princess special including a night in San Fran & airfare. Departing 23 Sep 2009 | From
$4,599.00 |  | Auckland to L.A. | | 24 night package including a night in both Auckland & L.A. plus return airfare. Departs 1 Nov 2009 | From
$4,599.00 |  | Sydney to L.A. | | Prices Slashed! 31 night package with a night in L.A. and airfare home. Departing 24 Oct 2009 | From
$4,649.00 | |  | 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! |
| | | |  | |  | | Shares Rise on Hopes Recession End is in Sight | One day after the major US stock indexes slumped to their lowest close in a dozen years, the market bounced back on comments by the Federal Reserve chairman that the recession might end this year.
| |  | Arcadia's Visit to Australia
| | ecruising's Heather Seaman was one of the lucky few to step on board Arcadia during her maiden visit Australia. "The Arcadia is a great ship which stays true to its British heritage with décor, cuisine and even the currency..." | | |
| 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! |
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| | | | | | | Brett Dudley - Editor
support@ecruising.travel
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Flavours of Asia 
A Glance of Asia 
