Viking Reveals First Cruises From Sydney, Auckland and Bali on Viking Spirit & Other Cruise News

TIN news:  new-to-Australia cruise line, Viking Ocean Cruises, has released 13 new itineraries for 2017, 2018 and 2019. As hinted by Cruise Critic almost a year ago, the inaugural local season will see departures from Sydney to Auckland or the reverse from December 2018 to February 2019.
The 14-night cruises will visit nine ports and offer excursions to the Blue Mountains, Melbourne, Dunedin, Mount Victoria and more. Two 16-night cruises from Sydney to Bali or the reverse will also be offered, departing November 30, 2018 and March 10, 2019, stopping at 11 ports including Lombok and Komodo Island in Indonesia, the Whitsundays and Newcastle.
Cruises will be aboard Viking Spirit, launched in 2015, which has a classic Scandinavian design; an infinity pool; a huge spa with a free hydrotherapy pool, snow room, steam room and sauna; a Norwegian deli; and a Kitchen Table experience, where passengers can shop, cook and eat with the executive chef.
Anytime Dining on Sun Princess and Sea Princess
Starting this year, Princess Cruises will roll out Anytime Dining to Sun Princess from April 25 and Sea Princess from September 19, which means passengers sailing on these ships from Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle will have the freedom to eat dinner at any time between 5.30pm and 10pm, as offered on the rest of the fleet. Passengers can still choose to dine at the traditional set times of 5.30pm and 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, Princess is extending its all-inclusive beverage package to seven-night cruises.
Ponant Announces Kimberley Cruises
With its inaugural Kimberley season set to commence in July, French expedition line Ponant has revealed plans to continue next year. Four 10-night cruises will be offered during July and August 2018 onboard L’Austral, the youngest ship in the region, which the company also claims is the most environmentally sustainable vessel in the Kimberley.