After teasing the news earlier this year that it had plans to enter the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar (aka Burma), AmaWaterways is now taking bookings on two new Myanmar river cruises that will take place on the 56-passenger AmaPura.
The two new itineraries are a 11-day Golden Treasures of Myanmar trip and a 15-day Hidden Wonders of Myanmar, which are outlined in the company’s “River Cruises through Myanmar (Burma) 2014-2016” brochure as well as on the company’s website.
The cruises will include stops in Bagan, home to more than 2,200 temples, stupas and pagodas; Mandalay, the country’s former imperial capital and its second-largest city; the ancient royal city of Inwa, which was the capital of Burma for more than 400 years; Amarapura, known for having the world’s longest teak bridge; and Yangon, the country’s capital.
Launching on the Irrawaddy River in November 2014, the all-suite AmaPura will feature 28 suites, all with either a French balcony, a step-out full balcony or indoor/outdoor twin balconies. The ship’s public areas include a restaurant, main lounge and bar, gift shop, spa, pool and a sun deck for lounging.
AmaWaterways is also offering an optional four-night post-cruise extension, featuring three nights in Inle Lake and one night in Yangon. A two-night pre- or post-cruise extension in Bangkok is also available.
Costa Cruises said two of its older, smaller ships will offer a new style of cruising and be marketed under the NeoCollection brand.
The ships, the NeoRomantica and NeoRiviera, will do longer, more leisurely itineraries with plenty of time in port in what Costa has labeled “slow cruising.” There will be an emphasis on locally sourced food and custom shore excursions.
Many of the itineraries are exclusive to the NeoCollection ships, which can go to smaller ports less accessible to Costa’s bigger vessels.
For example, The “Mediterranean Heart” itinerary departs Savona and calls at Toulon, France; Salerno and Livorno, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Porto Empedocle, Sicily, and concludes with an overnight call at Barcelona.
At 1,248 passengers (NeoRiviera) and 1,578 passengers (NeoRomantica), the two NeoCollection ships are among the smallest in Costa’s fleet.
Shore excursions for groups of 25 or fewer guests have been designed to highlight cultural and natural attractions in each destination.
New menus developed in collaboration with Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenza, Italy, feature authentic cuisine that incorporates local food and wines.
Holland America Line’s (HAL) Statendam and Veendam will sail roundtrip from San Diego to Mexico, Hawaii and French Polynesia during the 2013-2014 season on newly expanded itineraries offering extended port stays, overnight calls and visits to picturesque locations.
“These cruises make it easy for travelers to visit extraordinary locales without the need for international air travel,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs. “Each sailing features varied port calls including some overnights and enriching onboard activities that give our guests a very exciting and comprehensive Holland America Line vacation experience.”
The seven- and 12-day cruises to Mexico sail in November, December and March. Six weeklong Mexican Riviera itineraries onboard the Veendam call at Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, along with scenic cruising along Magdalena Bay, noted for its seasonal migration of California gray whales. Departure dates are Nov. 9, Dec. 21 and 28 (two holiday sailings) and March 9, 16 and 23.
A 12-day cruise onboard Statendam sails Dec. 4 and visits Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz), Loreto, Guaymas, Topolobampo and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Guests have extra time onshore in Puerto Vallarta with an overnight call, during which they can sample local cuisine, learn more about the country’s history or check out the area’s nightlife. This departure also includes scenic cruising in Magdalena Bay.
In Hawaii, the 17- to 35-day Circle Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas itineraries have departures this October and next February and April. Veendam offers four roundtrip San Diego itineraries, adding Kona as a port of call. These sailings have a leisurely pace that combines interesting ports with plenty of sea days to enjoy the amenities found onboard. The 17-day itinerary departs Nov. 16 and Jan. 4, and calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Lahaina and Kona. The 18-day cruises depart Dec. 3 and Jan. 21 and add an overnight in Honolulu.
Statendam’s three Circle Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas itineraries range in length from 29 to 35 days. Four calls in Hawaii, Maui and Oahu include an overnight in Honolulu and late departure from Lahaina. In French Polynesia, the ship visits Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa and Nuku Hiva — the largest of the Marquesas Islands — with overnight stays in Bora Bora and Tahiti.
Departures from San Diego are scheduled on Oct. 4 and Dec. 16 for a 30-day special holiday cruise. Guests can also join the cruise in San Francisco on Oct. 2 or in Vancouver on Sept. 29 for 32-day and 35-day sailings, respectively. In 2014, the ship departs San Diego on Feb. 14 for a 29-day roundtrip itinerary, as well as April 15 on a 29-day roundtrip cruise. A 33-day itinerary that ends in Vancouver is also available for booking.
HAL is using the days at sea to enrich the cruising experience and prepare guests for the cultures they will encounter through lectures, classes, demonstrations and performances. For example, with the new On Location program, guests on cruises to Hawaii might learn how to hula, make a fresh flower lei or get a ukulele lesson from a local, while cruisers on sailings to Mexico are entertained by an authentic mariachi band during a Mexican fiesta on deck.
HAL’s Explore4 early booking promotion features a free Signature Beverage Package or beverage card, a free specialty restaurant dinner, free or reduced fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50 percent reduced deposits for bookings on select 2014 cruises made before Oct. 15, 2013. Guests may receive all four offers when booking a qualified itinerary.
Cruise fares for Mexico itineraries start at $899 for a seven-day sailing and include Explore4 early booking promotion offers. Fares for Hawaii begin at $1,599 for a 17-day Circle Hawaii itinerary with Explore4 early booking promotions. Circle Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas cruises start at $3,699 per person.
Wetravel2u's Weblog 