Roger Condon, the manager of cruise product and analytics at Discover the World, says the new package offered by Evergreen Tours and Norwegian ocean line Hurtigruten is a response to "frequent requests and popular demand". Evergreen and Hurtigruten's cruise combo of the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers and the Norwegian Coast, through the fjords of Western Norway to the Arctic Circle, is an imaginative option for both first-time and seasoned cruisers.

The 22-day package starts with a 15-day river cruise on one of Evergreen's two recently launched Emerald "star ships". (Overseas the line is actually called Emerald Waterways, which makes things a lot clearer; two more Emerald ships are set to launch next year.) The classic Europe itinerary from Budapest to Amsterdam takes in the cities of Bratislava, Vienna, Nuremberg and Cologne, medieval towns such as Durnstein, Rudesheim and Wurzburg, and the Wachau Valley and Rhine Gorge.

After a night in Amsterdam, you fly to Bergen, Norway, to board the Hurtigruten ship for the seven-day voyage to Kirkenes. Hurtigruten has been operating along the rugged Norwegian coastline since 1893, carrying freight and passengers to and from cities and remote hamlet. The ship visits the scenic ports of Tromso, Alesund and Trondheim and cruises to the Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands; on sailings later in the year (September and October) you have a good chance of seeing the spectacular Northern Lights.

Celebrity Cruises is also offering a series of river and ocean packages next year through its Celebrity Explorations arm. In conjunction with Amras Cruises' fleet of Amadeus river ships, Celebrity has 11 new holidays that combine cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Seine rivers with Celebrity sailings in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, Turkey and other destinations. The packages range from 16 to 24 nights.

One tempting example is the 16-night package that begins with a seven-night river cruise aboard Amadeus Symphony. It starts in Chalon-sur-Saone in southern France and stops at Lyon, Viviers and Avignon. Then you fly to Athens for two nights, and board the elegant Celebrity Equinox for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise that finishes in Istanbul.

Of course you could book the ocean and river cruises (and connecting flights and accommodation) yourself, but you'd be hard-pressed to beat the prices of these packages. Then you have to factor in the time it takes to research and book it all yourself – who has that these days?

MEET THE CREW

NAME

Christian van Zwamen, from the Ruhr area of Germany

POSITION

Captain, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa 2

MY JOB

The captain of any type of ship is responsible for the overall safety of the passengers, crew and the ship. I'm responsible for making any special decisions, working with my department heads.

MY TYPICAL DAY

Usually we go alongside or drop anchor in the morning so I'm on the bridge for maneuvering, and also available if the chief purser needs me for clearance of the vessel. If time allows, I try to take breakfast with passengers in the Yacht Club, to have a little chat and gauge the mood on board – they frequently have questions for me. It's very informal. Then the boring part starts – answering emails, requisitions, occasion planning – all the admin. That generally takes a few hours. We don't have a formal captain's dinner but I'm on duty in the evenings and guests are randomly invited to join me for dinner.

FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS

Buenos Aires, because of the atmosphere – grandeur combined with rotten houses, the melancholy mood of the tango, and the wonderful mix of America and Europe. Singapore is fantastic, breathtaking in its development and very vibrant. The third one, of course, is Sydney. And I'm not just saying that! When I was captain of Europa the sunrise behind the Opera House left a lasting impression on me. When I went ashore I loved the atmosphere and met happy, friendly people. 

TIP FOR PASSENGERS

I especially recommend the gin-tasting in the cigar  lounge, Herenzimmer – it's a really interesting evening.

MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS 

This sounds like the perfect trip for cruise enthusiasts and murder mystery fans: a 16-night Poison, Murder and Mystery-themed cruise from Scotland to the Canary Islands on the Fred Olsen ship Boudicca. It's a creative collaboration between Fredrik Olsen, head of the cruise line, and the Duchess of Northumberland. The Duchess, who is famous for creating the garden at Alniwick Castle in Northumberland, will be joining a sector of the cruise. It's part of a 24-day fly/cruise/stay package put together by Worldwide Cruise Centres, leaving Australia on July 7, 2015. worldwidecruisecentres.com.au

BAG A ROYAL CARIBBEAN BARGAIN

As a part of its biggest sale ever, Royal Caribbean has a selection of specials on its Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, trans-Pacific and Asia repositioning cruises, for departures between January 1, 2015 and April 28, 2016. You could save 50 per cent off a cruise companion's fare, and onboard credits are also on offer, if you book by January 31. And if you book a Royal Caribbean cruise anywhere in the world on December 31, you'll receive up to 40 per cent off the second passenger, onboard credits and more. The offer doesn't apply to Quantum or Anthem of the Seas, however. royalcaribbean.com.au.

GOOD NEWS FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Scenic Tours is offering several exclusive single traveller deals on its Europe river cruises in 2015. These include no single supplements at all to 40 per cent off the supplement on selected departures. Cruises in March and between October and December on 13 European and 13 France itineraries will attract no supplement; these include Christmas markets. Scenic has 26 Europe and 22 France cruises from April to September which will have a 40 per cent discount on the single supplement. scenictours.com.au.

DEALS 

OFFER OF THE WEEK

Book a land/cruise holiday of 12 days or longer in Vietnam and Cambodia with APT and free return flights are included in the deal. For example, a 12-day package from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, including a seven-day Mekong cruise on board AmaLotus or AmaDara, and excursion to Angkor Wat, starts at $4395. Valid until March 31, 2015. Phone 1300 196 420, visit aptouring.com.au.

ECRUISING.TRAVEL

is using Cathay Pacific Earlybird fares for top-value cruise packages in North America and the Mediterranean. A 19-night Alaska trip, including 14 nights on board Norwegian Sun from Vancouver to Seward, starts at $4489. Departing June 22, offer valid to January 1, 2015. Phone 1300 369 848, see ecruising.travel.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

has a selection of special offers on Mediterranean itineraries in April and May. For example, the 11-day Rome to Venice on MZ Zuiderdam cruise, departing April 14, starts at $1903. Offer valid until sold out. Phone 1300 987 322, see hollandamerica.com.au.