Cruizy News from the Bridge

Windstar unveils the voyages for the first season of the Star Seeker and they will begin in January 2026!

The first of two new all-suite yachts, the Star Seeker will first set sail in the Caribbean to then navigate through the Panama Canal and on to two of their most anticipated destinations ever: Alaska and Japan.

With new dining options, upgraded amenities and spacious suites, almost all with full private verandas or infinity views, the Star Seeker is a fresh approach to all-suite Star Class that remains unmistakably Windstar.

Some figures, the Star Seeker can accommodate 224 passengers and has 135 crew, 112 suites, including 24 Infinity Suites. Also 3 restaurants, a wellness (World Spa by Windstar), swimming pool, jacuzzi and water sports platform.

Be among the first to experience the Star Seeker on one of its inaugural seasonal voyages in 2026! Book before 31 October 2024, and enjoy a complimentary All-Inclusive experience - with WiFi, unlimited wine, beer and cocktails, and all gratuities - plus up to $200 on-board credit per stateroom.

The Explora II is coming to the Monaco 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The newest ship in Explora Journeys' fleet will be docked in the heart of Monaco's famous Port Hercule, with a prime location throughout race week. The ship will also play host to a series of spectacular events.

Of course, you can complement your trip with Grandstand Tickets (Tribune 2) or Paddock Club, including VIP Hospitality.
Your luxurious home by the sea for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix with 2 fantastic trips.

One is the 6-day 'In the Heart of the Monaco Grand Prix 2025' from 21 to 26 May 2025. The Explora II is docked in Port Hercule the entire time, offering you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in this legendary event and enjoy unrivalled comfort on board during your stay. From €9,690 per person in an all-inclusive service on board.

All suites, penthouses and residences are designed with refined, European elegance to bring guests closer to the ocean. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with light, spacious private sun terraces with a dining area, walk-in wardrobes and a sitting area. With 18 culinary experiences, (including 6 restaurants and 12 bars & lounges), 4 pools, whirlpools, indoor and outdoor Spa and attentive personal service, Explora Journeys effortlessly meets the needs and expectations of the most discerning cosmopolitan traveller.

But it can get even better with the 21-day voyage 'From Riviera Dreams to the Blessed Balearics, with Monaco Grand Prix 2025' aboard the Explora II, with embarkation and disembarkation in Barcelona. This incredible journey from 13 May to 2 June will take you Saint-Tropez, Rome, Florence, Palermo, Cagliari, Ajaccio, Palma de Mallorca and for five nights in Monaco for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. From €18,340 per person.

Special Caribbean offers at Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises currently has a great promotion on selected sailings in the Caribbean from December 2024 to February 2025 offering flights in Business Class. If you opt to book your flights yourself, you will be offered a flight credit of €2,500 per person for the 15-day yacht cruises and €1,000 per person for the 8-day voyages.

So from €5,260 per person, you can explore the Caribbean from St Thomas in an Oceanview Stateroom (cat. B) departing 21/12/2024, so a real delightful 8-day Christmas cruise aboard the Emerald Azzurra. Or a 14-day voyage from €13,460 per person in a Balcony Suite (cat. B) departing 07/12 or 14/12/2024. Flights in Business Class are therefore included.

This promotion is valid for bookings until 30/09/2024. Good to know is that transfers are always included with Emerald Cruises, as well as excursions, cultural experiences and active programs. 

Specific for the Caribbean yacht sailings, this shipping company includes 2 BBQ lunches on a fully equipped beach with live band.

Scenic stunts with reduced fares on 2024 sailings

Sister company Scenic, which steps up the luxury experience on board including butler service in every suite, is now launching a number of sailings departing in 2024 at discounted fares.

Why not an 18-day Greenland and Arctic Canada expedition departing on 17/09/2024 from Copenhagen from €9,940 per person in a Verandah Suite or Deluxe Verandah Suite. The price also includes a pre-night in Copenhagen and the flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland).

Such reduced fares also apply to Antarctica, Fiji, New Zealand and the Bahamas. How about 13 days Australia from €7,990 per person, from Darwin to Cairns in a Verandah Suite (cat. A) or Deluxe Verandah Suite (cat. BA). Departure on 19/09/2024.

Scenic includes all drinks on board throughout the day, as well as unlimited excursions and experiences.

Since Tuesday 16 July, the new Costa campaign Never Ending Summer has been launched.

You can experience a unique holiday aboard the Costa ships from €499 per person based on the MyCruise fare!

How about the 8-day journey from Marseille aboard the Costa Toscana departing 8 and 15/12/2024 & 19/01/2025 along Savona, Rome, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona from 499 € per person. Another great one is definitely the 8-day voyage from Marseille passing Genoa, Rome, Naples, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Barcelona from €934 per person. Departing on 3 May 2025 with the Costa Smeralda.

Fans of the Adriatic coasts will definitely be delighted with the 8-day journey to/from Venice from €984 per person. Depart on 3 May 2025 with the Costa Deliziosa.

Or 8 days Caribbean with 5 original ports of call on the Dominican Republic (Amber Cove, Samana, La Romana, Isla Catalina and Cabo Rojo) and one on Turks & Caicos aboard the Costa Fascinosa from €514 per person. Departing on 26 January 2025. Even more Caribbean with the Costa Fortuna along Dominica, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tobago and Grenada, from €1,064 per person. Departs on 19 December 2024, a Christmas cruise in other words.

The Costa Smeralda will take you to the Emirates on 11 and 25 January 2025, passing Dubai, Doha, Muscat and Abu Dhabi. Delight in these stunning destinations in the Gulf of Oman from €684 per person.

For Trans-Atlantic voyages, there are also lots of options, such as the 15-day cruise Recife (Brazil)-Marseille, passing Praia (Cape Verde), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona and Marseille as final destination from €759 per person aboard the Costa Pacifica departing on 31 March 2025. But there are also departures from Rio de Janeiro, Santos (Brazil), Salvador de Bahia (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Prices include your cruise in full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and the spectacles. Provided there is an extra charge of €240 per person, you have the drinks package included. The Super All Inclusive package includes the package for drinks and excursions and costs €459 per person.

This promotion is valid for bookings between 16/07 and 26/08/24 (no retroactivity) for departures between December 2024 and May 2025 on Mediterranean (Marseille, Savona, Genoa and Barcelona), Caribbean, Emirates and Transatlantic voyages.

Explore the awe-inspiring beauty of Canada and Alaska by train and sea with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

This journey begins with a 6-night pre-cruise land programme that takes you on the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer train, an experience that can count right from the start. You'll traverse the Canadian Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver via the First Passage to the West. A legendary 2-day train voyage between Vancouver, Lake Louise and Banff featuring the iconic Spiral Tunnels, with breathtaking mountain passes and dramatic canyons. Experience the only passenger service on this historic rail route by Rocky Mountaineer, famous for connecting Canada from east to west.

During this impressive land programme, stay 6 nights in excellent hotels in Calgary, Banff, Kamloops and Vancouver. The adventure continues with an all-inclusive luxury cruise in Vancouver aboard the Seven Seas Explorer, where you will witness Alaska's striking glacial terrain and coastline.

From exploring majestic mountain peaks to admiring evergreen slopes and coastlines formed by glaciers. With included and unlimited excursions, this guarantees an experience without parallel.

This trip is available from May 2025 during the warm summer months until September, when you can witness autumn colours and the first snow of the season.

There is a departure on 08/05/2025 from €8,061 per person (6-night land programme incl. 2-day Rocky Mountaineer train + 7-night cruise).

If you waive the land programme you will embark in Vancouver aboard the Seven Seas Explorer on 14/05/2025 from €6,119 per person in a Veranda Suite (cat. H) with all excursions included, as well as speciality restaurants, drinks, WiFi and more.

Other departures for the combination are 19/06, 03/07, 31/07 and 28/08/2025.

Celestyal, invites you  to double your cruise experience at half price.

This promotion is valid for Mediterranean and Persian Gulf voyages in 2025, 2026 and even 2027.

The discounts go up to 50% if you book before 31 August 2024.

The 8-day 'Desert Days' from Doha including an overnight in Dubai is now available from €529 per person instead of €1,110 pp. A fantastic trip passing Sir Bani Yas Island, Bahrain and Khaseb in Oman. 'Heavenly Adriatic' is an ode to the fabulous destinations of Venice, Split and Kotor with departure and arrival in Athens, 8 days from €789 pp.

And then of course there is Celestyal's master piece, the 8-day 'Idyllic Aegean' from and to Athens with stops in Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion, and the gems of the Cyclades Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. Now from €729 per person. Highlights here include a visit to the ancient site of Ephesus, an entire day on Crete and Milos and late night departures in Mykonos and Santorini.

These prices include the cruise in full board and €75 excursion credit. With Celestyal Plus Experience, you enjoy the premium drink package, 150 € excursion credit, free Wi-Fi and 25% discount on the speciality restaurants aboard the Celestyal Journey. For this, you pay €250 per person.