ecruising.travel newsletter

ecruising.travel newsletter

Thursday, April 30, 2009

CLIENTS VOTE ECRUISING.TRAVEL “THE BEST”

PHOTO Shows ecruising.travel Chairman, Brett Dudley and his wife Philippa, the company's Finance and Administration Manager.                             
 
The sceptics had a field day when ecruising.travel launched just under ten years ago with the-then untested idea of an online booking service selling nothing other than cruise and cruise-related holidays direct to consumers.
 
Today it is Founder and Chairman, Brett Dudley and his team who are having a field day: they've just seen through their biggest year ever, and despite the current economic outlook cruise bookings are pouring in – and they've just expanded the concept of ecruising.travel off-shore, opening an office in Hong Kong.
 
Brett Dudley launched ecruising.travel in January 2000 with a staff of just two. In their first year they sold 212 cruise holidays online: today there are 21-staff in ecruising's Sydney office, selling over 2000 cruise and cruise-related holiday packages a year.
 
There are four staff in the recently-opened Hong Kong office, to which Brett Dudley has moved to guide the venture there through its initial months.
 
"We proved in 2000 that you didn't need a shopfront to sell travel, and that consumers are savvy enough to be able to go online and work towards their holiday dreams from the comfort of their home or office, and without face-to-face pressures to do or buy things they don't want," Dudley says.
 
"And we were the first in Australia to sign up to the .travel web address so consumers simply added that to our name to link directly to us – they didn't have to worry about our name and a convoluted domain and whether there was a .com or a .com.au  It was simply ecruising.travel
 
"And we've a very competent and enthusiastic team whom consumers can get onto by phone if they feel there's some aspect of their holiday they want to talk through with an expert."
 
It's a combination of the easily accessible and simple to understand website, and access to an expert by phone, that has just won ecruising.travel the accolade of Best Individual Cruise Travel Agent for 2008, as voted by readers of Cruise Passenger Magazine.
 
"We've won other awards, but this is the best recognition because it comes from clients who voted through the magazine without any outside influences," Mr Dudley said. "Our feedback shows we have a 97% customer satisfaction rating, which is outstanding and reflects that our team understand its the little things that make all the difference to someone's holiday."
 
ecruising.travel sells cruise-only, fly/cruise and fly/cruise/stay holiday to all the world's major cruise destinations, and has packages to suit all budgets.
 
"We can put you on an extremely affordable South Pacific cruise, on the world's biggest cruise liner Queen Mary 2 from Australia to Asia, on a riverboat in Europe, or on the world's finest boutique cruisers SeaDream I and SeaDream II in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
 
"Log onto our website or give us a call and we'll steer you to just what you are after… ecruising.travel or toll-free 1300 369 848."
 

444: This week's great deals from ecruising.travel

Issue 444 | 30 April 2009

Hi Cruisers,

What a week, pirate attacks on MSC, a new flu hits Mexico and the airlines are reducing prices like we’ve never seen! If the world was not in enough trouble, along comes a flu that may cause even more havoc to the way things are. Cruise Lines have postponed all cruises to Mexico as of today until further notice. I don’t think it’s time to panic just yet, but at least the world is more aware of what’s going on which is great.

If you’re interested in upgrading your economy flights anywhere at the moment, airlines have some great business class deals out with Cathay announcing 6K to Europe and in my book, Cathay are one of the best Business Class in the business.

TAKE OFF TO ASIA IN BUSINESS CLASS & enjoy a superior experience!! With Singapore airlines you and your companion can upgrade to Business Class on any of our packages flying to Singapore and Bangkok. Fares are from $3,318 per person when you book for two passengers or $2,074 per person when booking for 5 passengers. This offer expires 15 May 2009, so call your consultant today on 1300 369 848!

FREE CABIN UPGRADE available on our 2010 Transatlantic crossing, New York Roundtrip with QM2 departing from New York on 6 Jul & 12 Oct 2010. With prices starting from $5,799.00, you will spend 1 night pre-cruise at the Doubletree Guest Suites, New York City before cruising for 13 nights on board Queen Mary 2, plus we've included return economy class airfares with United Airlines from Sydney and Melbourne. Click here for more

Experience the Romance of Italy on board Queen Victoria. This exclusive 14 night package offers a FREE Upgrade from an Inside to an Oceanview cabin & a FREE Singapore Stopover! Departing 1 Sep 2010 prices start from $7,599.00 and includes 12 nights on board Queen Victoria, 1 night pre-cruise accommodation at The Ritz Hotel in London, return airfares with Singapore Airlines from selected capital cities and 1 night stopover accommodation post-cruise at Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Click here for more

Great Airfare savings! We have just received Thai Airways special deals and have put together some great holiday packages with savings of over $1000 per person.

Save up to $2,100 for a Balcony and up to $1,200 for an Inside Cabin on our Journey & the British Isles cruise package. Spend 13 nights on board Azamara Journey and sail to 9 marvellous destinations, from Denmark to Norway, Scotland, Ireland, UK, the Netherlands and Germany. Experience the ultimate indulgence with a butler service, the most delectable dining, a masterful Spa and Wellness Centre, graceful accommodations, plus more. Depart on 17 August 2009, with prices starting from $4,549.00 including return economy airfares with Thai Airways to Copenhagen from selected capital cities and 1 night pre-cruise at the Le Meriden Palace, Copenhagen. Click here for more

If you’re looking for a short trip then our 7 night Irish Escape is the perfect choice. This package includes 5 nights on board the Norwegian Jade, departing from Southampton and visiting Dublin and Cobh, 1 nights' accommodation either side at the Thistle Marble Arch in London and return economy airfares with Thai Airways from selected capital cities. Prices start from $2,049.00 per person. Click here for more

Save up to $1,750.00 with our 14 night British Isles Explorer cruise package on board Jewel of the Seas. Departing from Harwich, England on 22 June 2009, prices start from $3,599.00 including 12 nights cruise accommodation, return airfares with Thai Airways, 1 night pre- and 1 post-cruise at the Thistle Marble Arch, London including English breakfast. Click here for more

More Thai Airways deals with savings of up to $1,100:
14 night Norwegian Odyssey – Jun 2009 from $5,049.00 Click here
15 night Ventura Medley - Jun 2009 from $4,899.00 Click here
16 night Land of the Midnight Sun - June 2009 from $6,499.00 Click here
15 night Nordic Artemis - Aug 2009 from $4,649.00 Click here
14 night Tour the Baltic - Sep 2009 from $4,299.00 Click here
18 night Spirit of the Mediterranean - Sep 2009 from $5,549.00 Click here
15 night Mediterranean Voyage - Sep 2009 from $3,599.00 Click here

Great savings! 9 night Lighthouse experience and save up to $900. Lighthouses aren't the only reason people found their way to New England and eastern Canada. These places have an unmistakable charm, rich history and natural beauty all of their own. There's no better time to visit than during Autumn, when the foliage is brilliant in every imaginable colour. Lighthouses dot the coastline, and there's always an authentic lobster bake going on somewhere. Departing from Boston on 3 Oct 2009, prices start from only $3,399.00 and include return economy class airfares with Qantas, 7 nights cruise accommodation on board Jewel of the Seas and 1 night pre- and 1 post-cruise at the Hilton Financial District Hotel, Boston. Click here for more

SAVE UP TO 65% WITH SEABOURN. From the Mediterranean to the Greek Isles, there's never been a better time for you to go yachting with Seabourn. Enjoy exceptional savings on Seabourn Odyssey, the world's most exciting new yacht, now with great savings of up to 65% off. All four packages include return airfare and 2 nights accommodation:

9 night Aegean Odyssey - 19 Sep 2009 from $6,749.00 Click here
9 night Greece & Dalmatian Delights - 26 Sep 2009 from $7,399.00 Click here
9 night Adriatic & Greek Isles - 3 Oct 2009 from $6,899.00 Click here
9 night Greek Isles & Turkey - 10 Oct 2009 from $6,049.00 Click here

Costa & Banyan Tree Bintan Delights. We have put together a great package with an exotic cruise on Costa Romantica followed by a relaxing stay at the luxurious Banyan Tree Bintan. Our 20 night package includes return airfares flying Singapore Airlines, 1 night pre-cruise in Shanghai at Hyatt on the Bund, 16 nights on board Romantica as she cruises to Shanghai via Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Singapore and 3 nights post-cruise at the Banyan Tree Bintan. Land and ferry transfers are also included in our package for Singapore and Bintan. Departing 21 Oct 2010, prices for this exclusive package start from $3,949.00. Click here for more

Save up to 50% plus $200 On board credit for Sun and Dawn Princess cruises.
Hawaiian Voyager - 12 Sep ‘09 from $4,699.00 Click here
28 night Sun Princess Round Australia - 17 Oct ‘09 from $3,899.00 Click here
2009 Around Australia - 18 Nov ‘09 from $4,099.00 Click here
Hawaiian Discovery - 3 April ‘10 from $5,299.00 Click here
28 night Dawn Princess 2010 Round Australia - 6 Mar ‘10 from $3,899.00 Click here

Sydney to L.A. Departing 24 Oct 2009, you will spend 30 nights on board Star Princess visiting beautiful destinations like New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti and Hawaii before arriving in L.A. for 1 night at the Crowne Plaza, International Airport before taking your Qantas flight back to Sydney. Click here for more

NEW this week! We have released more Princess 2010 Europe itineraries on board Crown and Pacific Princess, click here. Our favourite Coral Princess Europe 2010 cruise is Iceland & Norway Explorer plus a FREE Singapore Stopover! From only $5,699.00 this 14 night package departs 29 Jul 2010 and includes 12 nights cruising, 1 night pre-cruise accommodation at The Thistle Marble Arch Hotel, London, return airfare with Singapore Airlines from selected capital cities and 1 night post-cruise accommodation at The Novotel Clark Quay, Singapore. All transfers in Singapore are also included. Click here for more

Our favourite Pacific Princess Europe 2010 cruise is the 15 night Holy Land package with prices starting from $5,899.00 including return airfare with Singapore Airlines and 1 night pre-cruise accommodation at the Crowne Plaza St. Peters in Rome. The intimate Pacific Princess has everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable cruise in Europe with alluring sights of Alexandria, Cairo and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt to the roster of Mediterranean and Greek Isle cruise destinations. Escape on a European cruise either in May, August or October 2010. Click here for more

New York, New York with NCL’s Norwegian Dawn. Norwegian Dawn has been New York's favourite ship since she began sailing from the Big Apple in 2003. On this trip enjoy Freestyle Cruising when you sail out of New York to explore the historic New England coastline and experience the beauty of the North American 'Fall' at its most colourful. This round trip starts from $2,949.00 and includes 7 nights on board Norwegian Dawn, 1 night pre-cruise at the Doubletree Guest Suites, New York and return economy class Qantas airfares with departure dates all throughout September 2009. Click here for more

Discover China with a Viking river cruise like our 11 night Yangtze Explorer package. From Chongging to Shanghai with selected monthly departures until October 2009, spend 10 nights on board Viking Century Sun and sail through the legendary Three Gorges region. Visit the birthplaces of porcelain and dragon boat racing plus many more Chinese wonders. This package includes 10 guided tours, 1 night accommodation at the Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai, and return airfares with Singapore Airlines from selected capital cities. Prices start from only $3,599.00. Click here for more

This week's Costa Specials from around the World!
7 night Mediterranean Magic - Jun to Nov 2009, now from $749.00! - Book Online
8 night Arabian Nights - Mar to May 2010, from $3,449 - Click here
10 night fly/cruise Banyan Tree Sanya Special, Last Minute from $3399 - Click here
12 night European Cocktail - April to September 2010, from $3,849 - Click here
18 night Oriental Jewels - May & Jun 2009 with Classica, from $2599 - Click here

Keep Cruising,
Brett & the ecruising team

There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Christopher Morley




Newsletter Links

ecruising Links
This Week's Top 10

Hawaiian Grandeur
Sun Princess From $2,849
Sydney to Auckland Special
Diamond Princess From $2,499
Northern Adventure
Sun Princess From $2,899
Hawaiian Solstice
Sun Princess From $2,999
Hawaii to Sydney
Rhapsody From $3,299
New Zealand Adventure
Sun Princess From $1,999
Sydney to Dubai
Dawn Princess From $5,999
Mediterranean Medley
QM2 From $7,649
Oriental Jewels Fly/Cruise
Classica From $2,299
Magical Scandinavia
Queen Victoria From $8,149


Recently Added Cruises

New York to Cherbourg
QM2 From $2,099
Germany Crossing
QM2 From $2,549
Mediterranean Moments
Queen Victoria From $4,499
Med Highlights
Queen Victoria From $6,049
Pearls of the Adriatic
Queen Victoria From $5,899
Eastbound Crossing
QM2 From $1,849
Splendid Black Sea
Queen Victoria From $7,249
Westbound Crossing
QM2 From $1,699
The Romance of Italy
Queen Victoria From $7,599
British Isles
Queen Victoria From $6,749


2009 Cruise Tours

Voyage of Discovery
M.V. Orion From $8,999
Rail, Sail & Explore!
Rhapsody From $5,299
West Coast Cruise Tour
Mercury From $7,599
Alaska & Rocky Mountaineer
Mercury From $5,499
West Coast Cruise Tour
Mercury From $7,599
Canadian Rockies Cruise Tour
Millennium From $8,449
Scenes of the North
Emerald Princess From $13,949
Alaskan Sun
Norwegian Sun From $4,999
Diamonds in Alaska
Diamond Princess From $5,499
Through the Wilderness
Island Princess From $5,399


2010 Cruise Tours

Circumnavigation Australia
Rhapsody From $3,949


This Week's P&O Picks

Pacific Dawn Cruising
Pacific Dawn From $1,299
Jewel Shimmer
Pacific Jewel From $1,799
Pacific Wanderer
Pacific Dawn From $2,199
Jewel Splash
Pacific Jewel From $2,199
Pearls of the Pacific
Pacific Pearl From $2,199
New Year's Eve
Pacific Pearl From $2,999
White Cloud Wonders
Pacific Dawn From $2,399
New Zealand Cruising
Pacific Jewel From $2,449
Pearls of the Pacific
Pacific Pearl From $2,199
South Pacific Mystery
Pacific Jewel From $1,849


This Week's Princess Picks
Huge Savings + Onboard Credit!

Hawaiian Grandeur
Sun Princess From $3,599
Hawaiian Holiday
Sun Princess From $3,349
Spectacular Fjordland Cruise
Dawn Princess From $2,099
2009 Around Australia
Dawn Princess From $4,099
2009 New Zealand Cruising
Dawn Princess From $1,999
2010 Sydney to Auckland
Diamond Princess From $2,649
2010 Bangkok to Beijing
Diamond Princess From $5,149
Sydney to Singapore
Pacific Princess From $10,749
South American Journey
Star Princess From $6,449
New Zealand Adventure
Sun Princess From $1,999








Westbound Crossing
FREE Upgrades! 6 night Southampton to New York cruise with QM2. Departing from May to Nov 2010 From
$1,699.00
Irish Escape
Roundtrip Southampton with Norwegian Jade. 7 night package with air & 2 nights in London. Departing May 2009 From
$1,999.00
Short Southampton Return
6 night package on Independence of the Seas including return air & 2 nights in London. Departs May & Aug 2009 From
$2,699.00
British Isles Explorer
14 night package on Jewel of the Seas with 2 nights in London & return airfare. Departs Jun 2009 From
$3,599.00
Mediterranean Voyage
15 night package with Oceana, including a night in London & return airfare. Departs Sep 2009 From
$3,599.00
Journey & the British Isles
14 night 5-Star package with Azamara including a night in Copenhagen & return airfare. Departing 17 Aug 2009 From
$4,549.00
The Iberian Peninsula
FREE Upgrades & Singapore Stopover at Raffles! 9 night package on board Queen Victoria. Departs Apr 2010 From
$4,849.00
Northern Splendours
12 night package with QM2 including a night in Hamburg & stopover at Raffles Singapore. Departing Aug 2010 From
$5,349.00
Pearls of the Adriatic
FREE Upgrade & Singapore Stopover! 14 night package with Queen Victoria. Departs Oct 2010 From
$5,899.00
Mediterranean Highlights
FREE Upgrades & Singapore Stopover! 14 night package onboard Queen Victoria. Departs 31 Oct 2010 From
$6,049.00

Tasmanian Voyage
Up to 40% off! 8 nights on board Pacific Jewel visiting Hobart, Port Arthur, Burnie & Melbourne. Departs Mar 2010 From
$1,399.00
White Cloud Wonders
FREE onboard credit! 14 nights cruising New Zealand on board Pacific Dawn. Departs Feb 2010 From
$2,399.00
New Zealand on Pacific Jewel
13 nights cruising with Jewel from Sydney, up to 50% off! Departs Feb 2010 From
$2,449.00
Round Australia
Up to 50% off plus $250 onboard credit per person! 28 nights with Sun Princess. Departing Oct 2009 From
$3,899.00
2010 Around Australia
Up to 50% off & onboard credit! 28 nights with Dawn Princess. Departing Mar 2010 From
$3,899.00
2009 Around Australia
Up to 55% off plus onboard credit up to $200 per person. 28 night cruise from Sydney. Departing Nov 2009 From
$4,099.00

Pacific Dawn
$75 Free onboard credit per person! 7 nights on board Pacific Dawn. Departing Jan to Apr 2010 From
$1,299.00
Jewel Shimmer
10 nights on board Pacific Jewel from Sydney visiting New Caledonia & Vanuatu. Departs Dec 2009 From
$1,799.00
Pacific Wanderer
$100 FREE onboard credit! 12 nights on board Pacific Dawn from Brisbane. Departs Mar 2010 From
$2,199.00
Jewel Splash
$100 FREE onboard credit! 10 nights on board Pacific Jewel to New Caledonia & Vanuatu. Departs Jan 2010 From
$2,199.00
Pearls of the Pacific
10 nights on board Pacific Pearl to New Caledonia & Vanuatu. Departs Jan 2011 From
$2,199.00
New Year's Eve on Pacific Pearl
Onboard Credit! 12 nights on board Pacific Pearl to New Caledonia & Vanuatu. Departs from Sydney in Dec 2010 From
$2,999.00
Hawaiian Voyager
Save up to 50% plus receive $200 onboard credit per person. 35 nights Sydney return! Departing Sep 2009 From
$4,699.00
Hawaiian Discovery
Up to 50% off plus $200 onboard credit. 35 nights with Dawn Princess from Sydney. Departing April 2010 From
$5,299.00

5 Night Pearls of the Orient
Save up to 35% 5 night package with SuperStar Virgo from Singapore including air. Departing Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 From
$1,849.00
7 Night Pearls of the Orient
Huge Savings! 7 night package with SuperStar Virgo from Singapore including air. Departing Apr 2009 to Mar 2010
From
$2,199.00
Chinese River Escape
7 night China getaway with Viking including airfare & 2 nights in China. Monthly departures until Nov 2009 From
$3,099.00
Yangtze Explorer
11 night river package with Viking through the heart of China, including air & a night in Shanghai. Jun to Oct 2009 From
$3,599.00
Asian Delights & Banyan Tree
20 night package with Romantica & Banyan Tree Bintan including air & all transfers. Departing Oct 2010 From
$3,949.00

Adventure to Sawyer Glacier
8 night package on board Norwegian Star with airfare & a night in Seattle. Departing Jul to Sep 2009 From
$2,549.00
Seattle to Glacier Bay
Great 8 night package with Norwegian Pearl including a night in Seattle & air. Departing between Jul & Sep 2009 From
$2,699.00
Alaska's Glaciers
8 night package with Rhapsody including return air & a night in Seattle. Departing Jul, Aug & Sep 2009 From
$2,799.00
A Diamond Adventure
26 night package with Diamond Princess from Vancouver to Beijing! Includes air & a night in both cities. Sep 2009 From
$6,099.00

Roundtrip New York
8 night package with Norwegian Dawn including a night in New York & return airfare. Departing Sep 2009 From
$2,899.00
Explore Quebec
11 night package with Explorer of the Seas including air & 2 nights in New York. Departing Sep & Oct 2009 From
$3,499.00

2009 Southern Caribbean
10 tropical nights on board Celebrity Millennium & return airfare. Grats included! Departing Nov 2009 From
$3,399.00
Caribbean Adventure
San Juan Return with Celebrity Millennium. 11 night package including return air & grats. Departing Dec 2009 From
$3,449.00
San Juan Roundtrip
11 nights on board Celebrity Millennium from San Juan. Includes return air & gratuities. Departing Nov 2009
From
$3,599.00

San Fran to Auckland
24 night package with Star Princess including a night in both cities & return airfare. Departing Sep 2009 From
$4,549.00
Fremantle to Singapore
FREE Upgrades available. 25 night package including a night at Raffles Hotel & airfare. Departs Feb 2010 From
$5,549.00
San Francisco to Melbourne
FREE Upgrades! 26 night package with Queen Victoria including air & a night in San Fran. Departing Jan 2010 From
$6,399.00
Sydney to L.A.
Prices Slashed! 31 night package with Star Princess including airfare & a night in L.A. Departing Oct 2009 From
$7,299.00
New York, New York with QM2
Huge 102 night package with US$1000 FREE onboard credit per person! Departing Jan 2010 From
$25,449.00
New York to England with Queen Victoria
Wow! 102 night package with US$1000 FREE onboard credit per person! Departing Jan 2010 From
$26,099.00
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!


























Lines Temporarily Suspend Mexico Calls
All the major Caribbean cruise operators are temporarily suspending port calls in Mexico as a precautionary measure. The companies took the decision, as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. put it, ‘in an abundance of caution.’
Costa Luminosa to be Delivered Tomorrow
Costa Luminosa, the thirteenth ship in the fleet of Costa Cruises, will be delivered tomorrow by Fincantieri, the world’s leading cruise ship builder, at the Marghera (Venice) shipyard.


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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