Planet Earth Parade cruise holiday tours the
world in five weeks – from less than $180 a day
You can see a lot of the world in five weeks – and next April could be the time to start.
‘Planet Earth Parade’ is a 37-day holiday that combines two cruises (transatlantic and Baltic) with airfares to and from Australia and plenty of highlights. It begins on the golden sands of Hawaii, with a couple of nights by Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, then moves on to three nights in the four-star Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. There’s a 15-night transatlantic luxury cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation from Florida to Amsterdam, then a 12-night Baltic round-trip cruise on the same ship.
The holiday visits ports and cities in Portugal, France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, all in European springtime – finishing up with a couple of nights in the shopping paradise of Dubai before jetting back to Australia.
‘Planet Earth Parade’ includes airfares from Sydney or Brisbane to Las Vegas (via Honolulu) and return from Amsterdam via Dubai. Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au) is selling this 37-day fly-double-cruise-and-stay holiday from A$6599 per person twin share – or less than A$180 for each day of the holiday, on a twin-share basis.
‘Planet Earth Parade’ starts with a flight on 18 April 2014 from Sydney or Brisbane to Honolulu, for a two-night stay at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel. Ideally located in Waikiki, just one block from the sea and with Leahi (Diamond Head) as a stunning backdrop, the hotel is close to many local attractions, including the International Marketplace, Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park.
Now fly to Las Vegas for three nights at the Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort and Casino on the famous Vegas Strip. The resort is known for its world-class shows and an array of restaurants serving mouth-watering steaks and ocean-fresh seafood.
Jet across to Fort Lauderdale now for a night’s stay in a three-star hotel, with breakfast, before a complimentary shuttle takes you to board Celebrity Constellation. You’ll feel pampered from the moment you walk into Celebrity Constellation’s magnificent Grand Foyer, savour a steak in the Tuscan Grille, or sip your favourite vodka in the ice-topped Martini Bar. A week at sea gives time to explore the ship.
First port of call on the other side of the Atlantic is the graceful Portuguese capital of Lisbon, with its bustling Rossio Square. Then to the quintessentially French port of Le Havre, at the mouth of the Seine River. Next, cruise the English Channel to England’s famed White Cliffs of Dover, for a visit to the port of Dover itself. Don’t miss Dover Castle, known as the Key to England. Its walls encompass 2000 years of history, along with a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church and a Norman keep.
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Zeebrugge in Belgium is next. This is the port of Bruges, part Flemish and part French. You’ve time to explore before sailing on to rollicking Amsterdam, full of priceless artwork and legendary bars. Amsterdam is followed by the port of Warnemunde in Germany, from where you can head to Berlin or arrange your own shorter trip to somewhere like exquisite Lübeck. There’s plenty of time – the ship doesn’t sail till around midnight.
Celebrity Constellation’s next call is the Estonian capital of Tallinn, with preserved medieval walls, cobbled squares and towers; followed by St Petersburg, Russia’s great imperial city and repository of art, where you’ll overnight aboard ship and stay for two days.
On to Helsinki for a day in Finland’s capital, then another day to explore Stockholm before arriving in Copenhagen. Here in Denmark’s capital, Hans Christian Andersen wrote fairytales. Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Countess of Monpezat (originally Mary Donaldson from Tasmania) lives here too – part of a modern fairytale.
Disembarking in Amsterdam, it’s time to jet south to Dubai for two nights in the five-star Mövenpick Hotel and Apartments, perfectly positioned for visiting key locations like Wafi Mall, with its Egyptian theme and designer boutiques. Wafi is possibly Dubai's classiest shopping mall. There’s a big Marks and Spencer to browse when you’ve had enough of Versace.
After shopping and having seen so much of the world, time to fly back home refreshed to Australia.
