Feel like the ultimate in European Christmas experiences? Then how about a real princess, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian forest, traditional Christmas markets in the medieval old town of Nuremburg, a dance class in waltzing in Austria and a glittering New Year's Eve ball in a Viennese palace. They're all part of an 18-night Christmas on the Danube river cruise this December with Cruise Express on the deluxe Uniworld vessel River Princess. The cruise also features a cathedral midnight mass, Neuschwanstein Castle and Sound of Music scenes in Salzburg.

Phone 1300 764 509. See cruiseexpress.com.au.

Island adventure

The always-interesting boutique cruise company Pandaw River Expeditions has just acquired the classic 1960s motor yacht Callisto, and intends to sail its 34 passengers weekly between Ranong​ near Phuket in Thailand and Rangoon (Yangon) in Myanmar. It will explore the little-known Mergui Archipelago with its thousand tropical islands, stunning white beaches and sea-gypsy inhabitants. Callisto will also call at the old colonial ports of Kawthaung​, Tavoy​, Mergui​ and Moulmein​. In Rangoon, it moors downtown on the Strand Road a short walk from the splendours of town. Cruises start from October.

Phone 1300 783 188. See activetravel.com.au.

Latin flair

As part of the new detente between the US and Cuba, small-ship cruise company AdventureSmith Explorations has announced it will offer eight-day cruises to Cuba starting in December aboard the three-masted, 49-passenger schooner Panorama. The ship stops in five ports along Cuba's western and southern shore (Havana, Maria LaGorda, Cayo Largo, Trinidad and Cienfuego) and introduces the rich heritage of the island, from pre-Columbian cultures to Spanish colonial architecture and Cuban contemporary art and music. The itinerary begins and ends in Miami, with round-trip flights to Havana included in the fare.

See adventuresmithexplorations.com.

Taste of Vietnam

Celebrity chef Luke Nguyen has been advising on culinary elements aboard APT's Mekong River cruises for some time, with guests also enjoying a Vietnamese welcome dinner designed by Nguyen. Now guests travelling on APT's Vietnam land tours can also titillate their tastebuds with a visit to the chef's recently opened GRAIN cooking studio in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors can learn the fundamentals of Vietnamese cooking and recreate Nguyen's favourite dishes. Classes will be hosted by Luke's team, with the chef himself attending and running classes on a quarterly basis.

Phone 1300 196 420. See aptouring.com.au.

Master chef

On the subject of tastebuds, dining has reached new heights on Seabourn ships – already known for their top cuisine – with the announcement that the cruise line has partnered with renowned American chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller, a culinary genius with a trio of Michelin-starred restaurants in the US to his name. Keller brings his award-winning French and American cuisine to Seabourn this year while, next year, his culinary kudos will be extended to a new signature restaurant unveiled first on Seabourn Quest and later on the entire fleet.

Phone 13 24 02. See seabourn.com.