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Majestic Princess unveiled

Princess Cruises has unveiled the design and key features of Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in its global fleet, and take a cruise with a difference from Sydney to Melbourne, writes John Pond.

Majestic Princess will offer its guests a variety of enticing features and experiences, including two new specialty restaurants: Harmony, created in partnership with Chef Richard Chen formerly of Wynn Las Vegas “Wing Lei” (the first Chinese restaurant in North America awarded a Michelin star). This restaurant will feature haute Chinese cuisine, serving Chef Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes.

Other dining includes Le Bistrot, located in the lively atrium, offering casual French home-style dining with a modern twist. Reminiscent of a Parisian bistro, guests will enjoy traditional escargot casseroles, braised ox tongue and mushroom ragout, along with baguettes, tarts and pastries. Other dining includes The exclusive Chef’s Table, Lumiere, Alfredo’s, then to top it off with a wide selection of all-day gastronomy in the World Fresh Marketplace, where guests can taste flavours from diverse food stations around the world ranging from Mediterranean dishes to colourful farmer’s market salads and a new “East Meets West” street food specialty counter.

Fares start from $3459*  for a voyage from Barcelona to Athens, departing April 16, 2017 and visiting 13 ports including a host of destinations in Spain, France, Greece and Malta. Visit Princess Cruises for details.

Rail and sail on the ‘Intercapital Daylight’ adventure

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For a cruise with a difference, closer to home, two historic trains, a heritage tram and a 21st century ship form part of a never-before-offered rail and sail tour from Sydney to Melbourne and back. Celebrating the golden age of rail travel, the unique, escorted trip from Cruise Express this November will appeal to both rail and cruise lovers, with journeys aboard a rail motor, the famous Spirit of Progress train, Melbourne’s stylish tramcar restaurant and the 2600-passenger cruise ship, Golden Princess.

The historic, five-day ‘Intercapital Daylight’ adventure begins at Sydney’s Circular Quay on November 11, 2016, with a three-night cruise to Melbourne aboard Princess Cruises’ 17-deck Golden Princess. In Melbourne guests will stay one night stay at the Vibe Savoy Hotel, including breakfast, with free time to enjoy the city’s famous shopping, arcades, laneways, gardens and cafes. Also included is a roaming dinner aboard Melbourne’s historic and elegant Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

On day five, guests will begin their rail adventure back to Sydney by boarding the blue and gold carriages of the famous Spirit of Progress at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station. The train connected Sydney and Melbourne for almost half a century from 1937 to 1986.

Breakfast aboard the Spirit of Progress on the way to Seymour, where guests will transfer to a waiting, heritage 621/721 rail motor. The rail motor will take guests from Seymour to Sydney, with an included lunch stop at the 138-year-old Junee Railway Station. Morning and afternoon tea will be served on the train, with additional stops made at Albury and Goulburn before reaching Sydney’s Central Station.

Including 12 meals and the services of a Cruise Express Tour Manager, the ‘Intercapital Daylight’ rail and sail tour is available from $1690 per person, twin-share, or from $2190 for solo travellers. Flights to Sydney are additional.

*subject to availability, conditions apply.

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Alana Lowes

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