Author Archives: Leonie Clay
Exhibitor Intro: Cruise Traveller & Avalon Waterways
Today I would like to talk about two of our Exhibitors that will offer you not just the classic river cruises you know and love, but a selection of truly unique cruising opportunities. So lets start with one of what you may call our “Cruise Consolidators”a single company representing many cruise lines
Cruise Traveller has a variety of cruises with ships run by companies like Adventure Canada, American Cruise Lines, Aqua Cruises, Atmosphere, Azamara, Celestyal, Hebridean, Island Escape Cruises, Kararina Line, Locaboat Holidays, Natural Habitat Adventures, One Ocean Expeditions, Pearl Seas Cruises, Ponant, Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, Sea Cloud Cruises, Star Clippers, True North, Variety Cruises, Voyages of Discovery, Amazon Nature Tours, Antarctica XXI, Assam Bengal Navigation, Australis, Back-Roads Barging, European Waterwaysm Hapag-Lloyd, Jayavarman & Jahan, Linbald-National Geographic, Mahanaahu, Noble Caledonia, Pandaw, Polar Latitudes, Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, Seabourn, Silversea, Swan Hellenic, Uncruise, Voyages to Antiquity and Zegrahm Expeditions.
I would love to talk about all of these incredible cruising options but alas space is limited – so if you really want the information then I suggest coming along to the expo and speaking with the expert in person! I will though talk about one of the cruising options because it is a little different to anything we have previewed before today, or will preview before the expo. So let us talk about Locaboat.
Lakes, rivers, canals, beautiful landscapes, small villages and magnificent but often unknown monuments… Boating holidays with Locaboat provides the opportunity to discover the most beautiful regions of France and Europe during enchanting excursions along the waterways. These are not your typical European River Cruise though as you board and conduct our own voyage on one of Locaboats amazing river boats and barges that journey along not just the major but the minor waterways of France and Europe. Locaboaty offers you a cruising option that lets you travel exactly at your own pace and discover a lot of off the beaten track destinations.
Our other Supplier for today is a stark change, a single operator, who like Locaboat does specialise in Europe but in an entirely different manner …
Avalon Waterways is an incredible, affordable cruising option for Europe and Asia. While it might not include the signature experiences of some of the five star lines, or all your drinks, the cruises operated by Avalon truly cover what most people desire of a river cruise – a fantastic comfortable well appointed ship that people can enjoy the amenities of, a delicious on-board menu of meals for the duration of your travel, incredible sightseeing options for every port of call, and great on-board entertainment options. So if you have had the urge to cruise the Danube, Moselle, Rhine, Rhone, Saone, Seine, Irrawaddy & the Mekong then Avalon gives you a fantastic and affordable alternative.
The upside of travelling with Avalon Waterways is that it is part of the Globus family which means that the river cruises are combinable with pre and post city stays with Monograms, a fantastic provider of short stay independent programmes, or longer tours with Globus or Cosmos who can help you get around to see some of the sights you may have missed while cruising
Also by combining multiple tours and cruises with the Globus family you can also get the added benefit of multiple programme discounts which means should (for example) you wish to combine a Danube Cruise with a Rhine/Rhone Cruise then you can do so and receive a generous discount off the second programme.
So if a cruise that is markedly different or a fantastic affordable river cruise, if either sound appealing why not come and speak with the experts from the Cruise Traveller and Avalon Waterways at My Cruise Expo on the 17th March at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans Club from 5pm!
Register Your Attendance Today!
Exhibitor Intro: Viking Cruises
The name may summon up images of long-ships and harsh weather, but the truth is that the cruise line known as Viking Cruises is a touch of elegance and decadence within a price range for most travellers, and we are proud to have them joining us as an exhibitor at My Cruise Expo on the 17th March 2015 at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans club from 5pm.
For a number of years Viking have been for many a more affordable way of Cruising the rivers of Europe like the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone and the Volga. Like many of their luxury counterparts they have well appointed vessels, full meal service, daily touring – they just cut back on some of the unnecessary luxuries like unlimited alcohol, or personal butlers. Today Viking continue to offer the same fantastic service at reasonable prices and have extended their cruise range beyond Europe to Asia where their vessels now ply the Mekong, the Yangtze and the Irrawaddy.
One of the reasons that river cruising is so popular is that as a form of touring it is the perfect way to relax, while being able to get about and see a lot of different sites, not have to worry about meals, and enjoy being able to unpack once and not need to worry over the repacking for bus trips every night or two.
Viking Cruises have been doing this on the rivers of the world for some time but in 2015 took the entire concept one step further and introduced their own Ocean Cruise Vessels and Cruising range – ocean cruises that in many way mirror river cruises. They take you from one incredible destination to the next (such as Stockholm to St Petersburg), they include all your meals, they include not only all your touring but onboard talks and lectures by the experts in the sights and places you can see and the history surrounding them, plus like a river cruise you unpack once and enjoy the journey!
Viking Ocean Cruises have a number of fantastic sailings around the Baltic, North Atlantic and Mediterranean regions of Europe that will leave you desiring more. From short week-long cruises to their epic 50 day Istanbul to Stockholm Sailing they have something for everyone.
So does a Viking Cruise sound like something to get the blood pumping and the gears going? Come down and speak with the experts from Viking Cruises at My Cruise Expo on the 17th March at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans Club from 5pm!
Register Your Attendance Today!
Exhibitor Intro: APT
Today I would like to take a few minutes to introduce one of our Luxury and Mid-Range Experts that will be Exhibiting at our Upcoming Expo on the 17th March at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans Club. I am talking about a touring company who have become a well recognised brand in Australia over the course of three generations – APT, and their sister company Travelmarvel.
APT first appeared on the Australian market in the 1920’s and spent decades evolving into the company that it is today. Today they run tours and cruises across the globes, with programmes and packages to suit all sorts of travellers from Rail Aficionados to 4wd Adventurers, from Wilderness Lodges to Botanical Tours, from Touring to Cruising – and cruising is what we are going to talk about today!
APT have a fantastic arrange of cruising options – their most popular, both with the 5 star APT product and the cheaper Travelmarvel alternatives, are river cruises. Between vessels of their own and charted vessels APT can help you set sail on the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone, the Seine, the Duoro, the Chobe, the Amazon, the Mississippi, the Irrawaddy, the Mekong and the Yangtze.
APT specialises is providing fantastic river cruises, incredible day tours, culinary delights and the ability to unpack once, sit back and enjoy yourself as your floating hotel literally drifts from location to location.
APT also has an incredible array of small ship cruises to take the traveller to the world’s most adventurous destinations and offer some of the most personalised service in exploration whilst ensuring comfort at every turn. Their small ship cruises operate through the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords, the Japanese Isles, the South East Asian Coast and beyond – a small ship cruise with APT guarantees a unique experience you are not likely to forget. With partners like Holland America Lines and Princess Cruises APT also offers a fantastic selection of Inside Passage journeys.
So if a luxury cruise where they really do look after you sounds like the way to spend a few weeks why not speak to the Experts from APT at at My Cruise Expo, on the 17th March 2017 at Worrigee Ex-Serviceman’s Sports Club from 5pm till 8pm!
Register Your Attendance Today!
Discover Cruising @ My Cruise Expo
When it comes to Cruising there is a world of possibilities out there! Dining Cruises on Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises. Antarctic Voyages in high style with Silverseas. Family Adventures around the Pacific Islands with P&O Cruises. Watching history drift by as you cruise the Mekong with Victoria Cruises. Sailing the coast of Thailand with Star Clippers.
When in comes to Cruising there is something out there for everyone! Which is why for the first time we are hosting a dedicated Cruise Expo. (Please note if the below Video does not appear please visit our blog to watch it live in this post!)
Ocean Cruises, River Cruises & Cruise Tours
The Largest Cruise Expo Expo on the South Coast!
Join us for an evening to learn about the best way to traverse the Oceans, Seas, Rivers and Canals of the World!
On the 17th March 2016, from 5pm til 8pm at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans Sports Club, we will be hosting the largest Cruise Expo to hit the South Coast!
We have 17 Experts attending who will be able to talk about Pacific Island , New Zealand , Asian , African , Mediterranean , Baltic , Scandinavian , Trans-Atlantic , Trans-Pacific, Caribbean, Antarctic, and Round World Ocean Cruises.
Our visiting Experts can tell you about River Cruises including the Zambezi, the Nile, the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone, the Moselle, the Seine, the Volga, the Mekong, the Yangtze, the Irrawaddy, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, the Colorado, the Mississippi, the Amazon and many more !
Our Expo will go beyond the standard Ocean and River Cruises and you will be able to learn about Small Ships, Exploratory Vessels, Yachts, Sailing Ships, Ocean Liners and Luxury Ships, Canal Boat Hire, Gulets, Yachts, Small Ships and Expedition Cruises
Between the majestic peaks of Geiranger Fjord
We have 17 Cruise Experts coming down that will be able to speak with you about cruising and specials with Adventureworld, American Cruise Lines, APT Cruising, Aqua Expeditions, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Captain Cook Cruises, Carnival Australia, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Coral Expeditions, Costa Cruises, CroisiEurope, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag Lloyd, Heritage Expeditions, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Island Escape, Katarina Line, MSC Cruises, North Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Australia, P&O World Cruising, Pandaw River Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Scenic Tours, Sea Cloud Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clippers, Star Cruises, Swan Hellenic, The Cruise Team, Un-Cruise Adventures, Uniworld River Cruises, Variety Cruises, Viking River Cruises, Voyages of Discovery, Voyages To Antiquity, Wendy Wu Tours and more!
There will be exclusive specials, door prizes and give aways, including a prize for those that pre-register their attendance!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE TODAY!
Escape the grind with a P&O Shortbreak!
Sometimes all you need to refresh and rewind is a few days away from the usual routine. So why not join us on a brief 4 night cruise from Sydney aboard the Pacific Jewel on the 4th March. Experience the fantastic services available onboard from dazzling shows to Sauna and Wellness treatments, from the bars and nightclubs to the fantastic culinary experiences on the recently launched Pantry and speciality restaurants. Starting at $399 per person share twin in an inside cabin this is the perfect getaway for someone to simply take a break, relax and unwind.
We are also offering this cruise to the Red Hat Society via our Solo Sisters Initiative – so if you are a solo female traveller let us know and we may be able to pair you up for this fantastic trip.
BOOK ABOARD TODAY!
Call My Travel Expert and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters
on (02) 4421 5577 or email us on nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
Just a quick note that as f 20/01/2015 there are only Balcony Cabins left available
Added Benefits Cruising With Princess
If you have ever wanted to get away on a cruise then this is the day and age to do so, with more cruise lines coming and going from Sydney and other Australian Ports than any time in the past. With cruises to suit all manner of people Princess stands out as a cruise line for a more discerning market.
Up until the 29th February 2015 there is a fantastic sale aboard a select number of Princess Cruise voyages and Sailing that will (dependent on the trips duration, destination and category) give up additional inclusions beyond the normal for a Princess sailing including up to $600 on board credit, up to $500 of Shore Excursion Credit, and Specialty Dining Credit for two.
That is a fantastic amount of savings with Princess Cruises and well worth the investment of booking aboard their cruises which tend to to be aboard an incredible arrange of mid-size cruise ships that have something aboard for almost everyone!
So why not book aboard a Princess Cruise today and explore the world with added Extras!
If a cruise with Princess Cruises though does not appeal there are a slew of other specials available that are currently in process with lines like P&O, , Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean , Carnival and more.
Terms and conditions apply see in store for more details.
My Travel Expert & Shoalhaven Solo Sisters
(02) 4421 5577 or nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
A Taste Of The Mornington Penninsula
Are you wondering how you will cope with Cruising? Do you want a quick taste to see if Cruising is the style of holiday that’s right for you? Then why not consider joining us on the 4th March 2016 as we head off on a 4 Night Cruise to the Mornington Peninsula aboard the Pacific Jewel, with Inside cabins currently available from AU$399 per person share twin, Outside Cabins from AU$499 per person in share twin and Balcony cabins from AU$749 per person share twin its an economical way to take an almost all-inclusive break .
This 4 Night Cruise departs Sydney on the 4th March and heads off on a leisurely Cruise to the Mornington Peninsula and back – plenty of time to discover all the shipboard amenities, entertainment, activities and services. This short cruise is the perfect way to see if you can handle sea travel, enjoy time at sea and even if you enjoy “port days”.
If you are a solo traveller we can try and hook you up with another solo to try and keep your prices down! We already have several Red Hatters going so if this is the sort of social group you enjoy we already have several like-minded people going, and more looking for company.
So why not consider joining us and some fantastic company aboard the Pacific Jewel – space is limited, so call today!
My Travel Expert & Shoalhaven Solo Sisters
Telephone (02) 4421 5577 or e-mail on nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
Notes: Voyage Number: J611N Price Note: Prices based upon P&O sale. Sale fare ends 25 February 2016. Prices subject to availability at the time of booking. Current cost as at 3 January. Full payment required at time of booking..
Holiday Hours
Feliz Navidad ! Or do we say Kala Christougenna, Nollick Ghennal, Maligayang Pasko, Jwaye Nowel, Vroljik Kerstfeest, Nadelek Lowen ,that is to say …
Merry Christmas!
The team at the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters and My Travel Expert would like to take a few moments to thank everyone for a fantastic year, and we hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year break and we look forward to helping you all in the new year when you are ready to start booking your next trip!
Christmas Is Almost Here, But Don’t Forget To Plan For Next Years!
Christmas and the Festive Season is just about on us .. or if you celebrate like the Dutch who started on December 6 with St Nicholas Day, your month of festivities has already begun!
The thing is, whilst most of us know what we are doing this year, for Christmas, and most probably for January, there are very few who have yet given 2016 a thought. If you are looking to Travel over December 2016 / January 2017 now is the time to start thinking of that time of year, to look into what you want to do and start sounding out possibilities.
For those of us here in Australia Christmas is a time of sweltering heat, bushfires, blowflies, outdoor barbecues, of sun, surf and sand. Few of us have experience a traditional White Christmas or the typical Snow Season of the Northern Hemisphere and all that the season entails.
If you want to experience how the other side of the world sees Christmas, and the tail end of the year there are plenty of opportunities to get out there and explore the Northern Winter next Summer! You could take a tour of the Christmas Markets in a number of European Countries, and all the delectable food, and culture that goes with them. You could take to the slopes and go Skiing in Japan, Canada or the Swiss Alps. If you are a little more adventuresome you could stay at an Ice Hotel in Romania or Lapland, or even rent out a cabin for the Winter and experience how cold it really gets in Siberia! You could head to the mountains of Japan and enjoy the Hot Baths, visit the North of China and enjoy the Ice Festival at Harbin or take in one of the few North Hemisphere Winter Tours that run in December and January.
As you can see there is an incredible array of Winter Experiences for the traveller to experience, and deciding which is the one you want to do NOW is important! Airfares for next December will start becoming available in Late January, and for January by late February, and for these periods if you know when you want to fly its best to make arrangements early because flights fill with people visiting friends and relatives early in the year – so early bookings are essential to getting the best prices. Early booking will also ensure your space in places that may have limited accommodation or space such as some of the more remote Ski Lodges, Antarctic Cruises, Ice Hotels or Boutique Tours.
So take some time this Festive Season to speak with the loved ones about your plans for the same time in 2016/2017 and if a December or January Escape to the cold north sounds appealing, then drop by to speak with us in the New Year to begin planning your next cool escape.
A Quick Cruise
Sometimes it is nice to head off on a quick break, or to get your first taste of something with a short trip.
To that end we have a pair of cruises on offer for any single travellers looking to try out a new travelling companion, couples looking for a quick break, or if you just enjoy travelling in good company!
So if a short break away sounds appealing just get in touch with us!
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 