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 Radiance of the Seas 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.
This attractively priced Alaska/Asia combination holiday from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au) is called ‘Walls of Ice to Great Wall’. It has proved so popular in the past, it has sold out rapidly. It costs from A$6649 twin-share per person. That rate is valid until 31 March 2015, unless it sells out earlier. A free onboard credit offer of US$100 per twin cabin to spend aboard Celebrity Millennium effectively reduces the price further.
The holiday starts on 1 September 2015 with a flight from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Vancouver. Your base for the next three nights is the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver, known for its stunning location and gracious service. A sightseeing tour of the city next day shows off the sights of Vancouver – Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, Robson Street, Stanley Park, Totem Poles, Prospect Point and English Bay Beaches, Downtown, Chinatown, historic Gastown and visits to Stanley Park, Granville island market and Vancouver Lookout (admission included).
The following day, really get to know Vancouver on a stunning six-hour sightseeing tour. Your visit to the city’s magnificent North Shore will include Capilano Suspension Bridge, a salmon hatchery and Grouse Mountain, where you’ll take the Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver.
Boarding Radiance of the Seas next day, you’ll have no trouble finding the port, it’s right next to the hotel.
Set sail now 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 arctic terns soar overhead. Take in Icy Strait Point on Chichagof Island, known for bears and whale watching, and visit the historic town of Juneau. Meet friendly folk and impressive totem poles in the village of Ketchikan, founded as a fishing camp, five kilometres long yet just three blocks wide.
Aboard ship, ride in sleek glass lifts facing the sea, maybe try out the rock-climbing wall, African safari-themed solarium, indoor/outdoor country club with golf simulator, or day spa and fitness centre. All shipboard main meals (excluding speciality restaurants) are included.
Sailing south back from Alaska into Canadian seas, you’ll swap ships in Vancouver, departing Radiance of the Seas and embarking on Celebrity Millennium to set sail for Asia. An initial three days at sea gives time to explore the ship, 294 metres long and filled with fun and wonder – from world-class restaurants to Broadway-style shows. Amenities rival the grandest hotels on land and 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 (so forget tipping) and most entertainment is included too. And don’t forget that 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.
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 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