The Cruise Director: Gallipoli centenary cruises

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Le Soleal will cruise the Dardanelles strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 24 before anchoring near Anzac Cove. Passengers with a Dawn Service pass will be escorted ashore to stay overnight at the Anzac Commemorative Site. The service will be televised on big screens and a service, lectures and presentations will also be held on board. See aptouring.com.au.

There are several more Gallipoli centenary cruises out there – Scenic Tours is running a 17-day Black Sea Explorer river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest, followed by two days each in Istanbul and Cannakkale, with according to the itinerary, “priority entry on April 24 to the key sites and on April 25 to the exclusive services to be held in this region”. See scenictours.com.au.

Variety Voyager main lounge

The main lounge on board.

sally.macmillan@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Shipshape

VARIETY CRUISES: VARIETY VOYAGER

LAUNCHED 2012. The boutique 68-metre super-yacht brings the Variety Cruises’ fleet to 11.

PASSENGERS CREW 72 passengers (double occupancy), 28 crew.

ACCOMMODATION There are 36 cabins over three decks that have twin portholes or twin picture windows; all have mini-bars, marble bathrooms, TVs and DVD players.

REGULAR HAUNTS The Mediterranean, Costa Rica.

PERFECT FOR Couples and singles, 40-plus.

DINING The main dining room seats 72 passengers and meals are also served al fresco on the adjacent open deck, which seats 50. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, while dinner is a set menu with various choices (including vegetarian) for the main courses.

PARTYING As on most small ships, passengers make their own fun – there might be a live pianist or DJ in the main lounge – but getting to know your fellow cruisers over a few drinks is more the go than non-stop partying.

DOING Variety Voyager has kayaking and snorkelling equipment on board, and swimming off the ship is an option in some quiet ports. The ship has a small spa, fitness centre, beauty salon, library and internet centre.

DID YOU KNOW? Variety Voyager is one of several small luxury or adventure ships that APT part-owns or charters around the world.

THE DETAILS The 12-day land-cruise package, round trip from Istanbul and featuring two days off the coast of Gallipoli on April 24 and 25, a dawn service on board and lectures by a military historian, departs April 17, 2015. Fares from $9995; phone 1300 336 932, see aptouring.com.au.

Deals

OFFER OF THE WEEK

Save more than $5400 a person on a 24-night air/land/cruise tour of South America, including a 14-night cruise on Celebrity Infinity from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires via Antarctica. This holiday starts on February 15, 2015 and includes return airfares from Australia, accommodation in top hotels, excursions to Iguazu Falls and the Argentinian pampas. Valid until May 23, fares start at $8419. Phone 1300 369 848, see ecruising.travel.

OTHER DEALS

UNIWORLD is offering savings of $2000 on its 13-day cruise/tours of Northern Italy, taking in Venice, Florence and Rome, on board River Countess. Departing October 26 and November 1, 2014, all-inclusive fares are from $5649 (for a limited time only). Phone (02) 9028 5199, see uniworldcruises.com.au.

STAR CLIPPERS Sail from Monaco to Malaga on board luxury tall ship Star Flyer and save 20 per cent on 14-night cruises in October when you book by June 5. The ship carries a maximum of 170 passengers. Highlights include St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Sete and Barcelona. Fares from $5945. Phone 1300 362 599, see starclippers.com.

Tip

Hooked on Game of Thrones? Crystal Cruises is operating shore excursions to film sets in Northern Ireland later this year, on Crystal Symphony’s seven-night British Isles cruise (August) and Crystal Serenity’s 14-night Ireland, Iceland and New England voyage in September. You’ll sample the life, see costumes and learn how ancient castles are transformed into the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. See ireland.com to map out key GOT locations.