By Rama Gaind.
It’s not just the live music, but a variety of experiences onboard a luxury ocean liner that will make memories during two cruises on the high seas next month.
Dean Z embraces the music of the King himself, Elvis, in the Cruise N Groove musical festival on the Radiance of The Seas from 3-16 November.
The first is the Cruise N Groove musical festival from 3-16 November and the other is Bravo Cruise of Performing Arts 2018 from 13-21 November.
You will be onboard the luxury liner Radiance of The Seas and depart from Sydney. The first will go to the idyllic holiday ports of Noumea and Mare in New Caledonia.
The Bravo cruise will visit the paradise that is the French capital of New Caledonia and passengers will be treated to palm trees and fine beaches of Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata. The ship will anchor at Baie du Santal off of the small town of Easo on Lifou, the largest island on New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands. The perfect location for snorkelling and forest walks, passengers will be able to experience an open-air market and palm-fringed sandy beaches.
In addition, the port of Mystery Island – a tiny uninhabited isle at the southern end of the Vanuatu group of islands – will see passengers enjoying themselves on the deserted beach of pure white sand and coral reefs.
Cruise N Groove
Tom Burlinson is one of many stars featured in the Bravo Cruise of Performing Arts on the Radiance of The Seas from 13-21 November.
When it comes to having a rock n roll party, it doesn’t get much better than embracing the music of the King himself, Elvis. That is the concept behind the 2018 Cruise N Groove music festival at sea – Elvis Meets The Legends. In an extravaganza that features no less than 30 music acts, including many of the world’s best Elvis tribute acts, music fans are in for a treat on this seven-night voyage.
The 2018 line-up includes BBC TV’s World’s Greatest Elvis winner Shaun Klush (USA), Justin Shandor (USA), Elvis To The Max (USA), Dean Z (USA), Bill Cherry (USA), Ben Thompson (UK) as well as a host of other performers including Scott ‘Buddy’ Cameron, Johnny Cash The Concert featuring Damien Thompson, Roy Orbison Show with Aaron Mansfield and the highly anticipated The Life Of Elvis All-Star Finale Spectacular.
There’s a wealth of rock ‘n’ roll knowledge and experience on board.
Bravo Cruise
The Bravo Cruise Of Performing Arts celebrates its fifth year in 2018 with one of the biggest line-ups yet. The luxurious eight-night cruise is headlined this year by the award-winning performer, actor and host Todd McKenny and ARIA and two-time Helpmann Award winner Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
Accommodation options at Cham’s House Koh Kood Resort offer some spectacular ocean and pool views.
Taking more than 40 well-known artists onboard, the cruise sees some of the best on the coveted line-up, including The Celtic Tenors, Cheryl Barker, Peter Coleman-Wright, Tom Burlinson, Rhonda Burchmore, Mirusia, Peter Cousens, Rachael Beck, Clem Leske and Antoinette Halloran. There are also acclaimed choirs and orchestras that round out the line-up, such as the returning Bravo Choir and The Metropolitan Orchestra. Other acclaimed artists onboard include Henry Choo, George Washingmachine, Libby O’Donovan, Swing Force Big Band, Cathrine Summers and The Pacific Belles.
These melodious celebrations are packaged by the South Australian family-owned and operated festival cruise company, Choose Your Cruise, which has been creating music lover holiday experiences for nearly a decade.
Top hotel stays in Bangkok
You’ll enjoy the waterfront luxury on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
When it comes to accommodation what is important to you when you travel? A fair price, a comfortable bed in a hotel, attentive service, cleanliness, good security or quality dining options? Choices do vary, but essentially you’re after a contented and relaxing space where you can rest and recharge.
On a recent visit to Thailand, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the capital Bangkok where the hotel ambiance, facilities and service were second-to-none.
If you are looking for accommodation packages with appeal, then look no further than the special offers that are available at:
The innovatively designed hotel – akyra TAS Sukhumvit Soi 20 Bangkok – is located in the epicentre of the capital’s most dynamic tourism area.
* Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort: waterfront luxury on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Choose your urban sanctuary when it comes to accommodation.
Exclusive website offers will ensure you ‘find your bliss’, enjoy the ‘stay longer’ special and you can even choose advance purchase rates.
* akyra TAS Sukhumvit Soi 20 Bangkok: located in the epicentre of Bangkok’s most dynamic tourism area, this innovatively-designed boutique hotel has a selection of special packages. You can opt for the one with family fun, go on a treasure hunt or ask about the Discover Thailand offer when you enjoy a discount of 40% or more.
* Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok: is proving to be the choice of families because “families love the kids’ pool in this hotel”. It’s ideally located near the heart of Bangkok’s best eating, drinking and shopping options. Latest offers include a saving of up to 25%.
Superior room at the Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok which is ideally located near the heart of Bangkok’s best eating, drinking and shopping options
* Cham’s House Koh Kood Resort: on one of Thailand’s last untouched islands, Koh Kood, all villas have breathtaking ocean views with access to the beach. Set in tropical landscapes, it boasts an outdoor pool, day spa and beachside dining.
The resort is a 10-minute drive from the Klong Chao Waterfall and a 45-minute transfer from Laem Sok Pier by resort speedboat and 90 minutes by public ferry.
My sojourn was most memorable.
DETAILS BOX
Cruise
Ticket prices for the 2018 Cruise N Groove music festival at sea [6-13 November 2018] start from $2,805 per person twin share (interior stateroom).
Prices for tickets for the 2018 Bravo Cruise Of Performing Arts [13-21 November 2018] start from $2,748 per person twin share (interior stateroom).
T: 1300 247 371
W: www.chooseyourcruise.com.au
Stay
Anantara Riverside Bangkok
www.anantara.com/en/riverside-bangkok
Cham’s House Koh Kood Resort
akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok
W: www.theakyra.com/bangkok/sukhumvit/
Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok
Travel
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thai Airways International
Bangkok Airways
