Here’s a wide-ranging cruise holiday full of variety: a month (30 nights/32 days) from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Vancouver for a cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage, then a separate 16-night cruise from Vancouver to Shanghai, visiting top cities in Japan and ending with an exploration of Chinese highlights from Beijing.
The ships are MS Volendam and Celebrity Millennium and there’s no shortage of ‘bucket list’ items. You’ll spend four nights in Beijing, touring the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.
The holiday from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au) is called ‘Walls of Ice to Great Wall’. It costs from A$6999 twin-share per person, valid for sale at that rate until 31 January 2015 or until sold out, whichever comes first.
The holiday starts with a flight from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Vancouver on 1 September 2015. A night at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver, with its stunning location and gracious service, gives time to refresh before boarding Holland America Line’s MS Volendam. You’ll have no trouble finding the port, it’s right next to the hotel.
Set sail on a seven-night round-trip into Alaska’s Inside Passage, with its dramatic fjords and forested islands.
In the Tracy Arm Fjord region, black and brown bears, deer and wolves roam while birds such as arctic terns soar overhead. You’ll visit the historic town of Juneau, the Klondike gold rush settlement of Skagway, the totem poles and friendly folk of Ketchikan and phenomenal Glacier Bay with its 16 tidewater glaciers and some of the most majestic scenery in North America.
Dining aboard MS Volendam can involve five-course menus or you can opt for vegetarian or low-carb choices. Whatever you choose, it comes with impeccable service and an extensive wine list. All shipboard main meals (excluding speciality restaurants) are included.
Sailing south back into Canadian seas, disembark in Vancouver for another two nights at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Your transfer from the ship includes sightseeing of Downtown, Chinatown and Gastown and visits to Stanley Park, Granville island Market and Vancouver Lookout (admission included).
Next day, really get to know Vancouver on a stunning six-hour sightseeing tour. Your visit to the city’s magnificent North Shore includes Capilano Suspension Bridge, a salmon hatchery and Grouse Mountain, where you’ll take the Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver.
Now for the big cruise. Embarking on Celebrity Mellennium, set sail for Asia. An initial three days at sea gives time to explore the ship, 294 metres long and filled with fun and wonders – from world-class restaurants to Broadway-style shows and amenities that rival the grandest hotels on land. The AquaSpa is one of the most luxurious spas afloat. Other touches include an ice-topped Martini Bar, Café al Bacio & Gelateria, a Cellar Masters Wine Bar, and fine dining choices every evening.
All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants) are included. Ship’s gratuities are pre-paid and most entertainment is included too. There’s even an onboard free credit offer of US$100 per twin cabin to spend aboard ship.
First port of call for Celebrity Millennium is Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Alaska. The Battle of Dutch Harbor took place in June 1942 when Japanese forces attacked it.
After crossing the international dateline, Celebrity Millennium enters Japanese seas and docks in the most famous Japanese port city of them all, Yokohama on Tokyo Bay, second-biggest city in Japan after Tokyo itself. Tokyo is within easy reach.
Then set sail to Kobe, one of Japan’s most attractive cities, known for its luscious beef. Perhaps try a shot of the crisp sake rice wine for which the city is famous.
Next port is Miyazaki, with a warm climate and palm trees, before sailing to China to disembark Celebrity Millennium in Baoshan, port of the great Chinese city of Shanghai.
From here, jet to Beijing and transfer to your four-star hotel, home for the next four nights as you experience China’s greatest cultural wonders. Your stay in China’s capital, complete with daily breakfast, includes two full days touring to Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, the largest and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. There are two lunches, a visit to a pearl market and a fantastic Chinese Acrobatic Show as well.
At the end of a month’s fabulous holiday, its time to fly refreshed back to Australia.
To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to:
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
SOURCE: Worldwide Cruise Centres