Earlier this year, record floods in central Europe caused major disruptions to river-cruise schedules (along with the loss of lives and devastation to towns and farmland). Nearly 40,000 Australians took river cruises last year, and while Europe will always be a popular destination, why not check out what's on offer in Asia?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Travel Indochina, which organises individual and group tours in Asia, has released its 2013-2015 brochure. The company's managing director, Paul Hole, says travellers seem to have an "insatiable appetite for new experiences along Asia's fascinating main rivers", which explains why the brochure includes 13 new itineraries across the Mekong (Indochina or south-east Asia), Yangtze (China), Ayeyarwady and Chindwin (Myanmar) rivers.
Experienced travellers in Asia will be familiar with Pandaw River Cruises, which operates 10 colonial-style steam ships in Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia. Pandaw founder Paul Strachan recently announced the line is building two shallow-draft, 20-cabin ships that will operate on the new Mandalay Pagan Packet service from July 2014.
Two of Pandaw's vessels, RV Mekong Pandaw and RV Tonle Pandaw, are undergoing $1 million makeovers. They will be back on the Mekong in October.
Helen Wong's Tours, which has been operating in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar for 26 years, also reports increased demand for cruises on the Yangtze and Mekong. New itineraries are on offer for 2013-14.
Australian company Cruiseco is also responding to the interest in river cruising in Asia. Last year it launched its own ship, the 30-cabin Cruiseco Adventurer, on the Mekong. Next week luxury travel group Orient-Express' new boutique river ship, Orcaella, sets off on its inaugural cruise from Mandalay, along the Chindwin River.
Mainstream river-cruise companies - including APT, Avalon Waterways, Viking River Cruises and Uniworld - operate on Asia's waterways, so there's plenty of choice if you're looking for a river cruise nearer to home than Europe.
Also in Asia, Royal Caribbean's 310-metre Mariner of the Seas was the first ship to dock at Hong Kong's new two-berth cruise terminal, Kai Tak. Built on the site of the former airport, the terminal's second berth will open in 2014.
SHIPSHAPE: ALLURE OF THE SEAS
LAUNCHED 2010
PASSENGERS 5400
REGULAR HAUNTS Caribbean
BEST FOR Families, adults in their 20s through to their 50s
NEED TO KNOW
Fares for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise leaving Fort Lauderdale, Miami, on January 12, 2014, start at $899. 1800 754 500, royalcaribbean.com.au.
THE DETAILS
Allure of the Seas is the second of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. At 16 decks (65 metres) high and measuring five millimetres longer than its nearly identical sister Oasis of the Seas, Allure is the biggest cruise ship in the world.
Both ships are the ultimate in floating resorts and feature seven "neighbourhoods", including Central Park, the Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade.
Central Park on deck eight is full of living plants and trees and is home to five of the ship's 21 restaurants and cafes.
There are more on-board activities than on any other ship, including two FlowRider surf pools; six swimming pools; a miniature golf course; a sports court; two rock-climbing walls; and, most amazingly, a 25-metre zip line.
Entertainment is non-stop: DreamWorks cartoon characters appear around the ship "in person" and you can see shows in the Amber Theatre and (outdoor) AquaTheatre, ice shows, live music, comedy acts and 3D movies.
Allure sails two itineraries year-round: Eastern Caribbean (Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico) and Western Caribbean (Bahamas, St Thomas, St Maarten) out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
DEALS
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Enjoy a leisurely 22-day trans-Pacific crossing from San Francisco to Sydney on-board P&O Cruises World Cruising’s four-star Aurora from as little as $1959 (inside cabin, twin share). Ports of call include Honolulu, Pago Pago, Nuku’alofa and New Zealand. Departing on January 26, 2014. 1300 729 405, cruiseplanet.com.au.
OTHER DEALS
VIKING RIVER CRUISES: Return flights to Europe cost only $995, including all taxes, when you book a 2014 European river cruise with the line (for a limited period). Choose from 22 itineraries ranging from eight to 23 days. 1800 829 138, vikingrivercruises.com.au.
CRUISE EXPRESS: Sail from Brisbane to New Zealand on a seven-night Orion Expedition cruise, departing on December 13. From $3215, complimentary wine package. 1300 766 537, cruiseexpress.com.au.
CRUISE1ST: Get in quick - P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl is departing on a 10-night Sydney-Brisbane-Sydney round-trip on August 19, with four stops en route and a full day in Brisbane. From $1173. 1300 857 345, cruise1st.com.au.
