cruiseblogjohnpond.com – Cruise, Travel & Lifestyle

CRUISE SAVINGS OF UP TO $1600 FOR SINGLE PASSENGERS   OFTEN disadvantaged by surcharges, solo cruise passengers can book one of a number of exciting “singles specials” from MSC Cruises with savings of up to $1600.  Plan one of two 14-night back-to-back Mediterranean cruise itineraries next year and price starts at $1708 a cabin – or $122 a night.

Meanwhile, a 14-night Northern Europe cruise from Copenhagen from late May, 2012, starts at $2268.

“We are delighted to offer these very special prices for our very special singles,” said Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand.

“Don’t expect the pay the supplement and the cabin is yours, on your own,” she said. “And as with all our cruises, main meals and entertainment are included.”  The starting price of $1708 applies to booking an inside cabin for two 14-night departures in late September and mid-October, cruising aboard the yet-to-launched MSC Divina and the equally impressive MSC Splendida.  The initial seven-night cruise begins and ends in Venice, visiting such fascinating ports as Dubrovnik, Istanbul and Izmir. A coach transfer from Venice to Genoa follows for the second leg to Barcelona, Tunis, Malta’s Valletta, Messina, and Civitavecchia (Rome).  For solo passengers who want to take an earlier cruise, a 14-night itinerary (from May 17, 2012) with back-to-back cruises on MSC Musica and MSC Fantasia starts at $2198. www.msccruises.com.au  

1 YEAR COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR SHIP THAT WILL REDEFINE AUSTRALIAN CRUISING.  3,840-passenger Voyager of the Seas to arrive on 22 November 2012

November 18, 2011 –Australian cruising will be changed forever in exactly 12 months, with the arrival of Voyager of the Seas on 22 November 2012. Described as a floating city, Voyager of the Seas brings to Australia and New Zealand innovative cruising features that you’d traditionally have to travel to America or Europe to experience. Some of these include an onboard ice-rink, an indoor ‘street’ the length of a football field lined with restaurants, bars and entertainment, and cabins within the ship that have a view.

Voyager of the Seas is twice the size of most cruise ships currently based in the region and she carries up to 3,840 guests – more than the population of Australian towns like Bellingen, NSW and Port Douglas, QLD.  She was built at a cost of US$500 million,with 1,556 staterooms, Voyager of the Seas is nearly two and a half times bigger than Australia’s largest hotel[1].

“Australian cruising has grown remarkably in the last three years but we are delivering the greatest quantum leap when Voyager of the Seas arrives here in 12 months.  Cruising on Voyager of the Seas really is a destination in itself,” says Adam Armstrong, commercial manager, RCL Cruises Australia.

Some of Voyager of the Seas’ unique features include:

“Royal Promenade” – an indoor ‘main street’ lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained.  Guests can stroll up and down the 4-story street and enjoy regular street parades.

• “Studio B” Ice Rink – an ice skating rink for guests that also doubles as a sensational 900-seat venue for ice show productions from world-class figure skaters.
• Inside cabins with a view – traditionally Inside cabins have no view, but these unique cabins overlook the Royal Promenade.
• Unparalleled sports facilities including an Inline skating track, Royal Caribbean’s signature rock-climbing wall, a 9-hole minigolf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court, 3 swimming pools and six whirlpools.

Voyager of the Seas will be based in Sydney for a five-month season from November 2012. Her Australia & New Zealand season will feature 12 New Zealand, South Pacific and Australia itineraries ranging from one to 18 nights, sailing from Sydney and Fremantle.  Prices start from $1,409 for a 9-night South Pacific cruise.   www.royalcaribbean.com.au.   I am certainly looking forward to sailing on this ship.     John Pond.    

REVIEW: Sandra and I were driven in the hotel’s limo from the airport, arriving late at night, so no traffic problems.  We ate breakfast and all our dinners at the hotel, choosing a different restaurant each night during our three night stay.  Quite honestly, we did not want to leave the hotel, it had so much to offer.  The best breakfast treats, including a juice bar, you pick from fresh whole fruit, and your custom juice order appears in seconds, also there are 5 cooks making made to order eggs, no waiting, Without a doubt Lebua is a real winner. with its several award winning restaurants that overlooked the river and city.  Their world famous Sky Bar attracted a crowd each night.

Facilities, such as a full kitchen, and laundry in many suites, everything the traveller could desire.   This is one hotel I can’t wait to return to.  Sandra appreciated the Bulgari toiletries.

A great place to stay to break up any European flight or just for a vacation.

See more at: johnpond.com

Luxury City Hotel Thailand | lebua at State Tower Bangkok