Uniworld’s Women-Only Cruise With Comedian Rachel Dratch
What could be more fun than an all-women cruise with a comedian?
The brand’s first-ever women-only cruise will set sail in France on August 24, 2025.
Best known for her tenure on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Dratch will treat cruise guests to a special comedy set and Q&A onboard the S S Catherine while they journey through the heart of France.
Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld’s President and CEO says the cruise is all about bringing women together to share new experiences, create friendships and enjoy plenty of laughter along the way.
“Rachel is the perfect fit for what promises to be an unforgettable trip, and I’m looking forward to being onboard to host her and all of our guests on this sailing,” she says.
The Women-Only Cruise is a one-of-a-kind voyage sailing through Burgundy and Provence, with special programs, activities and entertainment.
Dratch will headline a 45-minute comedy performance, followed by a Q&A the next day, giving guests the chance to engage with her in an intimate setting.
Dratch, a standout SNL cast member from 1999 to 2006, is beloved for her comedic brilliance and iconic characters, including the memorable “Debbie Downer”.
As the sailing makes its way through French villages, guests can participate in offshore excursions including a Candlelight Concert in Lyon, a visit to the International Shoe Museum and an evening trip to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Nîmes for a spectacular light show.
Other excursion highlights include lavender weaving, truffle hunting and a scenic bike ride to the Chartreuse.
Farm-to-table dining and unlimited premium wine and spirits are included.
Help Save the Coral
A Coral Futures Expedition will bring together marine scientists, conservationists, and passionate travellers aboard a premium small-ship expedition, led by Coral Expeditions.
Australia’s pioneering expedition cruise company will give guests the opportunity to actively engage in research efforts.
They will be aimed at supporting the future resilience of the Great Barrier Reef, including coral monitoring, data collection and assisting with the Great Barrier Reef Legacy’s coral biobanking initiative the Forever Reef Project.
It was the winner of Australia Geographic Society’s inaugural Awards for Nature gold-tier award in 2024.
“Our partnership with Coral Expeditions and the Forever Reef Project enables us to offer an immersive and meaningful experience for those who want to take an active role in reef conservation,” says Chrissie Goldrick, chair of the Australian Geographic Society.
“This is more than a voyage – it’s an opportunity to make a real impact on the future of the Great Barrier Reef.”
The Forever Reef Project aims to collect all 415 Great Barrier Reef coral species by 2026 and keep them alive in the state-of-the-art holding facility in Port Douglas.
The seven-day expedition will visit some of the most spectacular parts of our beautiful Great Barrier Reef.
The carefully curated itinerary will take guests to some of the most remote sections of the reef. Expert-led presentations, hands-on fieldwork, and snorkelling and scuba diving experiences will ensure a transformative adventure.
The Coral Futures Expedition will sail on 4 December 2025 from Cairns.
Cunard’s Spectacular New Ship Queen Anne Makes Grand Australian Debut
Queen Anne, Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years, sailed into Sydney Harbour recently for the first time as part of her 107-day maiden world voyage.
The shiny new ship features 13 expansive decks, 15 exciting dining venues and elegant accommodation for up to 3000 guests.
The design of Queen Anne was led by creative director Adam Tihany, who orchestrated a team of world-class designers to imagine a ship that reflects Cunard’s rich art-deco heritage while embracing modern elegance.
The ship takes onboard entertainment to new heights with innovative venues like the Bright Lights Society, an intimate cabaret-style experience.
Queen Anne also redefines wellness at sea, offering plant-based cuisine, sustainably sourced produce, and a bespoke fitness program.
Australian ports include Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, and Darwin with the cruise injecting more than $11 million into the local economies.
The World Voyage will continue to Bitung Indonesia, Manila Philippines and Hong Kong building on Cunard’s legacy as the pioneer of world cruises since 1922.
Norwegian Cruise Line introduces new entertainment.
Four new shows created by NCL’s award-winning in-house entertainment team and partners will premiere across nine of the brand’s ships.
The new entertainment productions will debut through September across nine ships including Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jewel, Joy and Prima.
The eclectic shows, Red, White, & British, Bring Back the 90s, ICONS: The Bands, and Ignite the Night feature collaborations with acclaimed creative partners to provide top-quality entertainment that will appeal to a multi-generational audience.
Guided by consumer insights and direct guest feedback, NCL’s new entertainment strategy focuses on offering guests more of what they love – captivating stories, recognisable and timeless music and visual spectacle.
The new Red, White & British production is a high energy show that celebrates iconic British musical performers and artists.
It was developed in partnership with long-time NCL collaborator, Burn the Floor, an Australian-born collective of world-renowned ballroom champions.
MSC World Asia Set To Sail From Next December
MSC Cruises’ newest World Class ship, MSC World Asia, is now open for booking.
It will cruise in the Mediterranean from December 2026. The new ship is the third World Class ship – each of which is named in homage to the world’s continents.
The naming reflects the global nature of MSC Cruises, which sails to every corner of the globe, offering an extensive choice of destinations.
Commencing on 11 December 2026 for the winter 2026/27 season, the ship will offer seven-night sailings to the most popular destinations in the Western Mediterranean – Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina, Italy; and Valletta, Malta with accessible embarkation in every port.
For the summer 2027 season, MSC World Asia will offer a seven-night itinerary serving Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina and Valletta.
MSC World Asia is the latest innovative ship in the cruise line’s LNG-powered World Class following MSC World Europa and the soon-to-be-launched MSC World America, which will sail in the Caribbean from Miami (U.S.) in April.
It features subtle design elements that reflect Asia’s rich culture, art, and beautiful landscapes. It retains the signature plumb bow rising vertically from the waterline and the iconic Y-shaped aft that opens onto the impressive outdoor promenade, hallmarks of MSC Cruises’ World Class ships.
The ship will have more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants, along with international entertainment, and a host of family facilities.
