Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) will introduce several enhancements to its in-flight offerings.

At its World Gourmet Forum last week, SIA announced it will enable premium economy customers to preorder main courses from its in-flight menu, from anywhere in the airline’s global network from 1 May 2019.

This follows the initial launch to suites, first class and business class customers on all flights across its network last year, in what was an industry first. Customers may preselect their meal choices via the airline’s website or mobile app anytime from three weeks before travel up to 24 hours before flight departure. As such, customers not only have a more personalised dining experience but are also ensured of their preferred meal choice from either the in-flight menu or the ‘Book the Cook’ service.

In another industry first, Singapore Airlines will be enhancing its Child Meal programme to enable parents to preorder specific meals for their children from three different cuisine categories – Asian, western and vegetarian. Parents can visit the airline’s website up to 24 hours before the day of travel to view the dishes planned for their flight and select the one that best suits their child’s preferences.

The airline will roll out this initiative to all cabin classes from June 2019 for flights departing Singapore, extending progressively to flights departing from overseas destinations from August 2019. 

Source: Travelinc Memo

Belmond Train Deals

World Journeys have exceptional savings on a range of 2019 Belmond luxury train journeys, if booked and deposited by 30 April 2019.  A saving of 25% on Companion Fares is available on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (ex-Venice in May or June 2019 excluding Grand Suites); on Belmond Grand Hibernian (6-night journeys in July and Sept 2019); on Belmond Royal Scotsman (in May and June 2019); and on the Eastern & Oriental Express (overnight journeys on 2, 13 or 17 Sept 2019).

Other offers include a saving of 15% on Belmond Grand Hibernian (on 2 or 4-night journeys in July and Sept 2019); a saving of 20% on Belmond British Pullman (select departures March to June 2019); a free onboard massage on Belmond Royal Scotsman (in April 2019); and a free cabin upgrade from Pullman to State aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express (select departures Sept and Nov 2019).  Offer is valid on new bookings only, deposited by 30 April 2019, and is subject to availability.

Contact your local Mondo Specialist for more details. 

Building on PONANT’s success at the Cruise Critic Awards in 2018, the luxury expedition French cruise line has received an outstanding four #1 rankings in the 2019 Australian Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards in the Small Ship category.

These awards are based entirely on Australian reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website.

Small Ship Category

Best Cruise Ship Overall – Le Boréal

Best Cruise Ships for Service – Le Boréal

Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions– Le Boréal

Best Cruise Ship for Value for Money – Le Boréal

Monique Ponfoort, PONANT Vice President Asia Pacific, commented: “We are delighted to receive such strong recognition from our Australian guests. There are many good cruising companies and being so highly competitive we need to be at the top of our game in order to be successful. Nothing could be more satisfying than to have topped Cruise Critic’s Small Ship Award Category four times in this year’s voting.”

“Thanks go to all who voted for PONANT and my special thanks to all PONANT staff ashore and onboard Le Boréal, in particular, who contribute at every level to provide the high levels of service delivery, often going beyond that expected by our guests.” 

PONANT is regularly awarded for the quality of its services and its unique cruising concept. Below are some of the more recent awards recognising PONANT:

2018 Australian Travel Awards / Winner - Expedition Cruise Line of the Year

2018 Luxury Travel Gold List / Winner - Best Cruise Line - Expedition

2018 Cruise Critic / Best for Luxury - Editor’s Picks Award

2018 Cruise Passenger Readers Choice Awards / Best Luxury Cruise Line

2017 Signature Magazine Cruise Awards / No. 1 position in both Luxury Expedition and Tall Ships categories

INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS:

Onboard one of the world’s youngest fleets, enjoy French ambiance and experience the difference small ship cruising offers. Venture where large ships simply cannot, with a dash of French panache that is PONANT’s indelible signature.  

Details of all PONANT 2019 to 2020 voyages, including itineraries, pricing and shore excursion highlights, are available via your local Mondo Travel Specialist.

Source: Francis Travel Marketing.