Cruise Passenger – Issue 78, Summer 2019

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WIN A PONANT LUXURY CRUISE TO ALASKA WORTH $22,000 ISSUE 78 SUMMER 2019

CRUISEPASSENGER.COM.AU

passenger

2020: NEW SHIPS, NEW DESTINATIONS

cruıse READERS’ CHOICE passenger

2019

BIGGEST & BEST AWARDS EDITION

Encore !

FREE MAGAZINE HOW TO SAIL SUSTAINABLY

CRUISE SHIP SHOWS RIVAL BROADWAY

AUSTRALIA/NZ AU$12.95

REVIEWS NORWEGIAN / PRINCESS / OCEANIA / STAR CLIPPER / CARNIVAL

CHOOSE TO

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EADERS’ OICE 2019 WINNER

READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

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BEST CRUISE AGENT

We’re thrilled to be voted Best Cruise Travel Agent for the second year in a row by you, Cruise Passenger readers.

BEST RUISE AGENT

†Interest Free: Approved applicants only. Fees, terms, conditions & minimum finance amount $999 apply, incl $99 Annual Fee charged on the account open date & annually on the anniversary of that date. Annual Fee must be paid in full within 90 days or it will attract interest. Minimum monthly repayment required. Interest, (charged at the Expired Promotional Rate) payable on outstanding balances after any Interest Free Period. See skyecard.com.au for current interest rates. Only available at Skye retail partners. Credit provided by FlexiCards Australia Pty Ltd ABN 31 099 651 877 Australian Credit Licence number 247415. FlexiCards Australia is a subsidiary of FlexiGroup Limited.

* c A

e r .

WE KNOW CRUISE. With more than 50,000 nights at sea, we’re passionate cruisers – just like you.

Our Cruise Experts have sailed all over the world – on all ships, itineraries and cruise lines, so we know cruise.

Book with Flight Centre today to take advantage of our multi-cabin discounts*, the widest choice of cruise lines and Interest-free† holidays.

FROM QUICK GETAWAYS TO DREAM HOLIDAYS Flight Centre offers an ocean of choice thanks to our partnerships with cruise lines that operate worldwide.

REAL PEOPLE, REAL EXPERIENCE, REAL EASY Our Cruise Experts love travel as much as you do. Book with us, knowing you’re getting the best advice from the best in the business.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER Talk to our Cruise Experts to find out how to take your dream holiday sooner. †

CALL OUR CRUISE LINE

Click, call or visit us in store flightcentre.com.au

Conditions, fees and charges apply.

©Image courtesy of Avalon Waterways

WORLDWIDE CUSTOMER CARE You’re never alone when you book with Flight Centre. No matter where you’re travelling, we’re just a phone call away.

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*Multi Cabin Discounts: Discounts are valid on new bookings containing 2 or more cabins booked in a balcony category or higher. The discount is applicable to taxable portion of the cruise fare which excludes taxes, port charges, commissions, compulsory grants & discounts already applied. Full terms & conditions apply. Please ask your consultant for details. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Flight Centre.

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CONTENTS

cruÄąse Issue 78, Summer 2019

S U M M E R

2019

passenger

Editor-in-chief and publisher Peter Lynch peter.lynch@bigsplashmedia.com.au Deputy editor Bernadette Chua bernadette@bigsplashmedia.com.au Executive editor Teresa Ooi teresa@bigsplashmedia.com.au Art director/production manager Catherine Martin Sub editor Hannah Warren

42 36

Advertising sales manager Vida Folden vida@bigsplashmedia.com.au

Printed by Spotpress

SHIP REVIEWS

The high-class, high-tech ship has finally launched, and Sue Bryant is a fan.

42 / Norwegian Encore The new vessel from NCL launches in Germany with Bernadette Chua aboard.

Digital manager Rupert Orchard

Subscriptions Phone 02 8227 6486 - Australia Phone +612 8227 6400 - International cruisepassenger.com.au/magazine

87 / Subscribe & win!

36 / Sky Princess

Strategic partnerships manager Carolyn Mackley carolyn@bigsplashmedia.com.au 02 9356 8888

Contributors and writers Rebecca Bradbury, Sue Bryant, Bernadette Chua, David Dickstein, Peter Lynch, Teresa Ooi, Barry Stone, Hannah Warren, Vanessa Wu.

14 / Cruise news

48 / Oceania Insignia

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Rebecca Bradbury checks out the re-inspiration of a classic.

52 / Star Clipper Sue Bryant finds a tall-ship journey is the best way to see Indonesia.

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS

6 / Award night

CRUISE MEDIA

Pictures of the big event.

Cruise Passenger magazine is published by Cruise Media Australasia Pty Ltd Suite 206, Level 2 46a Macleay Street Potts Point, Sydney 2011 bigsplashmedia.com.au Phone: +61 2 9356 8888

57 / The results are in...

Managing director Peter Lynch

80 / Combination holidays

AUSTRALASIA

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Copyright Cruise Media Australasia Pty Ltd. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those of the publisher. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders.

Information provided believed to be correct at time of publication, however details can change at any time and all information, including prices, in this magazine should be considered general in nature only. No travel decisions should be made solely on the information provided.

Always consult your travel agent.

Cover: Kinky Boots on Norwegian Encore.

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The winners and highly commended.

CRUISE PLUS

The appeal of mixing and matching to create your perfect trip.

82 / Five of the best

57

Our pick of the top rail journeys in the world.

84 / Oh Canada Exploring the west of the country on the Rocky Mountaineer.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Congratulations to our winners

WIN!

A 7-NIGHT ALASKA LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE

T

16 88 / Mindful cruising The lines helping you get your zen back.

90 / Hotel review The luxury tent experience in Ubud that's far from a camping holiday.

92 / Around the world Australia's top fly-cruise destinations.

94 / Food All the local, sustainable ingredients you'll find in onboard pantries.

98 / Port schedule 102 / Last word Join us for a tour of our fabulous new ship, Le Future.

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his edition, we celebrate our Readers’ Choice winners. Thank you to all who attended our inaugural event, especially Singapore Airlines, who helped make the night special.

And thanks to our readers, too – you once again showed your know your cruise lines and ships. A record 11,400 of you voted more than 250,000 times (there were 20 questions on each form!). You were the real heroes of the event.

You can read about who emerged as the best of the best in our special awards section, starting on page 57.

One of the positive effects of cruising in our waters is the creation of jobs and benefits to businesses. In the last financial year, the industry contributed $5.2 billion to our economy and created 18,135 full-time jobs. Read more on page 14.

Part of that is that many lines order most of their produce locally. Curtis Stone, executive chef at Share, told us that for Princess Cruises it's 90 per cent – that’s a lot of fresh fruit, veggies, meat and seafood! We also have a feature on sustainable cruise kitchens on page 94.

Cleaner and greener NewWave This issue carries a CRUISING TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE free magazine, produced by us for Cruise Lines International Association Win a 13-day NZ journey and help kiwi birds Australasia, about sustainability in the industry.

We’ve called it New Wave, in honour of the way lines are embracing the sustainability message. There is a lot of great work, mostly carried out behind the scenes, and many amazing stories, both locally and from expedition lines.

Smooth sailing!

RESPONSIBLY SAILING OUR OCEANS & RIVERS

10 WAYS TO SAIL GREEN

$22BN TO DELIVER OUR NEXTGEN SHIPS

Peter Lynch Publisher, Cruise Passenger

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READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

cruıse READERS’ CHOICE passenger

2019

Stuart Allison, Chloe Jones, Princess Cruises

OH, WHAT A NIGHT It was a glittering occasion, with about 70 of the biggest names in the cruise industry suiting up for the inaugural Cruise Passenger People’s Choice Awards, sponsored by Singapore Airlines – themselves the world’s most-awarded airline. On the night, Princess Cruises walked away with five awards, while Royal Caribbean and P&O Australia won two each. There were newcomers, old favourites and lots of surprises. See the full list – and what we all said about the results – starting on page 57.

Chris Hall, APT Group

Dean Brazier, CMV

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Karl Schubert, Chris McDiarmid, Singapore Airlines; Peter Lynch (centre), Cruise Passenger

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Jess Evans, Chris Fundell, Avalon Waterways

Adam Browning, Paige Folta, Ports Authority of NSW

Jon Murrie, CLIA; Monique Ponfoort, Steve Allen, Ponant

Darren Wakefield, Joel Victoria, Hurtigruten

Tony Archbold, Holland America; Julie Donaldson, Cruise Traveller; Karen Christensen, Crystal Cruises

Emma Mumford, Rebecca Smyth, Cruiseco

Rachel Harrigan, Toby Iemma, Matthew Jones, Viking Cruises

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World Leader of Luxury Expeditions

AWAKEN

YOUR SENSE OF WONDER

THE EXHILARATION OF THE ARCTIC. THE LUXURY OF PONANT. Mighty icebergs, mountains and volcanoes, glassy lakes and fjords, all nimbly navigated

by PONANT’s small luxury expedition ships, limited to only 264 guests. Quaint ports—their culture and architecture unspoiled, memorable encounters with indigenous people and the wildest of wildlife! Bears, polar, brown and black; Svalbard reindeer; breaching whales and orcas; and extraordinary bird life. From Iceland to Spitsbergen, Greenland to Nunavut’s Baffin Bay or sailing along the Northeast Passage to Alaska, discover the incredible Arctic!

True exhilaration eludes most travellers. A PONANT expedition escorted by an experienced Expedition team—delivers it. After exciting Zodiac® outings by day your ship will be your home base ready to rejuvenate you. Lazy laps in the heated pool, total surrender in the spa, a complimentary cocktail at the open bar, refined cuisine and inclusive wines. It’s a little ship… but a big experience not to be missed!

Book your Arctic 2021 Luxury Expedition early and save up to 30%!* Plus, save an extra $800~ on your first PONANT cruise!

ALASKA - ON THE TRAIL OF THE GOLD PROSPECTORS: June to August 2021. 7 nights from $8,030 pp(1) THE BEST OF SPITSBERGEN: June & July 2021. 7 nights from $12,120 pp(2) GREENLAND OF GREAT EXPLORERS: 3 July 2021. 14 nights from $15,620 pp(3) NEW! THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE: 30 August 2021. 24 nights from $38,940 pp(4) Can’t wait? Staterooms still available on 2020 departures!

Learn more about PONANT at our FREE Information Events in your capital city or request a brochure.

Contact your Travel Agent or our PONANT Cruise Consultants on: Australia: 1300 737 178 | New Zealand: 0800 767 018 | reservations.aus@ponant.com | au.ponant.com *Ponant Bonus discount subject to change based on availability. All advertised prices are based on the Ponant Bonus fare per person, in Australian Dollars, based on a double occupancy, including port taxes, yield managed, correct at time of writing - 03/10/2019.

(1) For the 2 August 2021 cruise in a Superior Stateroom. (2) For the 25 June 2021 cruise in a Superior Stateroom. (3) In a Superior Stateroom. (4) Incruıse a Prestige Stateroom passenger Deck 5. ~Welcome Offer is in Australian Dollars (AUD), per stateroom based on double READERS’ occupancy, A$400 savings per stateroom for single occupancy.

Offer valid for guests CHOICE 2019 travelling with PONANT for the first time. Offer is not redeemable for cash, not retroactive, and not combinable with any other offers, except the Ponant Bonus and Single Traveller WINNER Offers. Valid for new bookings only and available until further notice but can change or be withdrawn at any time. Conditions apply. Refer to au.ponant.com for T&Cs. Visit au.ponant.com for more details. Photographs © Studio PONANT: Nathalie Michel, Servane Roy-Berton/ PONANT: Eric Laignel. ABN: 35 166 676 517 BEST EXPEDITION LINE

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READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

BEST EXPEDITION LINE

CruiseNews OCEAN • RIVER • ADVENTURE • PORTS

INSIDE

10 Our forecast for the next year in cruise.

19 Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day in Vanuatu.

20 How you can retire at sea, thanks to two Aussies.

Laser tag on Voyager of the Seas.

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CRUISE NEWS: 2020 PREVIEW

2020

CRUISE IT'S ONLY ROCK ’N ROLL… The new year promises new ships, features and destinations, and Teresa Ooi is looking forward to all of it.

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The new year will usher in a wave of ultra-luxury, new-and-improved and wildly innovative ships heading to exciting and remote parts of the world.

Here is a peek at the ships and destinations we're most excited about checking out in 2020.

/ Regent Seven Seas Winner of our Readers' Choice Best for Service award, Regent Seven Seas has a new ship taking luxury to new heights in 2020. A voyage aboard the all-inclusive 750-guest Splendor includes unlimited shore excursions, unlimited fine dining and unlimited Champagne, plus excellent opportunities to marvel at expensive works of art. Her sister ship, Explorer, has Picassos, Mirós, a Chagall and a two-tonne Tibetan prayer wheel, and cruisers on Splendor can expect similar quality.

The top Regent suite, 412 square metres of palatial elegance, comes with an in-suite spa retreat with a personal sauna and steam room, a 120-square-metre wraparound veranda and a glass solarium sitting area.

Splendor will be helmed by Captain Serena Melani.

CRUISE NEWS: 2020 PREVIEW

/ Silversea The luxury line has a brand new ship, Silver Moon, taking to the seas in August, offering new Arctic and Antarctic itineraries and overnights on all voyages of over seven nights. The 596-passenger vessel prides itself on small-ship intimacy and spacious, all-suite accommodation, the hallmarks of the Silversea experience. Initially she will cruise the Mediterranean visiting Barcelona, Lisbon, Venice and Athens before heading to Florida and South America. Silver Moon will also have the first S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) immersive culinary concept onboard, allowing guests to travel deeper into a range of destination-based gastronomic experiences.

/ Crystal Cruises The much-anticipated Crystal Endeavour will be Crystal’s first expedition ship, due to be launched in August next year. The purpose-built Polar-class yacht – some say a rival to Scenic’s Eclipse – will feature 100 all-balcony suites and six fine dining restaurants, two helicopters and a submarine. The 200-passenger ship will carry a team of up to 22 expert guides including biologists, naturalists, historians, geologists and ecologists. Her first itineraries will see her visit Alaska, Asia and South America before the ship heads to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in October 2020.

/ Celebrity Cruises

Seven Seas Explorer, the first ship from Regent to be deemed the most luxurious ship at sea, will be Down Under next year for luxury punters to enjoy.

Virgin's Massive Suite comes with guitars for musical cruisers to use.

In April, Celebrity will launch Celebrity Apex, the second of the four Edge-class liners, following sister ship Celebrity Edge. The 2,900-passenger Celebrity Apex will be homeported in Southampton and offer cruises to Northern Europe including the Norwegian Fjords and around the Mediterranean. After her summer season, she will be homeported in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and sail the Caribbean. Like Edge, she will have the Magic Carpet, a deck which travels up and down the side of the ship to serve different purposes, and a rooftop garden with a swanky barbeque joint for the evenings.

/ Virgin Voyages

/ Princess Cruises

Though not considered an ultra-luxury cruise line, there is much hype around billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson’s new baby.

Scarlet Lady debuts in April 2020 and is designed only for adults – 2,700 passengers and 1,160 crew – with a style of cruising described as “rebellious luxe”. It's an adult playground at sea, with bars, clubs, live music venues, 24-hour dining and even a tattoo parlour.

At the top end, the 200-square-metre Massive Suite sleeps six and will have its own guitar-filled music room and a massive terrace with an outdoor shower, hot tub, hammocks and outdoor dining table (complete with stairs to encourage dancing on it).

Each music-themed suite will have a vinyl turntable, Peek-a-View showers, hammocks and tables designed specifically to hold your Champagne ice bucket.

The line’s newest Royal-class ship Enchanted Princess is set to sail in June on her inaugural Mediterranean cruise. She will feature new five-guest Sky Suites on the top deck, each offering the largest private balconies on a Princess ship, with 270-degree panorama views. She will also have the Piazza hub of activity, Salty Dog Grill, Alfredo’s Pizzeria and Movies under the Stars, a hallmark of the line.

/ P&O Cruises Australia Pacific Adventure will be launching next year boasting favourite features alongside some never seen before on the all-Australian cruise line. She will have Luke Mangan, of course, and five-berth family cabins, and a swanky pool and a private beach club called Byron Beach club for guests in suites and mini-suites. cruisepassenger.com.au

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WORLD CRUISE SEA PRINCESS®

make 2021 your year to explore the world with Princess® Embark on a legendary 108 night adventure, the longest Princess world cruise ever from Australia. Tick off UNESCO World Heritage sites and famous landmarks that fulfil your bucketlist dreams. See breathtaking gems off the beaten path. On board Sea Princess®, relax and enjoy the journey as you discover 29 countries around the world with ease.

BEST

CRUISE LINE OVERALL

BEST

BEST

BEST

BEST

FOR ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT

PREMIUM CRUISE LINE

SHORE EXCURSIONS

FOR WELLNESS & SPA

CRUISE PASSENGER READER’S CHOICE 2015 - 2019

CRUISE PASSENGER READER’S CHOICE 2014 - 2019

CRUISE PASSENGER READER’S CHOICE 2019

CRUISE PASSENGER READER’S CHOICE AWARDS 2019

▲

CRUISE PASSENGER READER’S CHOICE 2015 - 2019

BOOK NOW!

Visit your Travel Agent | 1300 385 631 | www.princess.com

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Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle

Nuuk Saguenay Fjord

CANADA Scenic Cruising

Shetland Islands Inverness/Loch Ness Liverpool Nanortalik IRELAND London (Dover) Red Bay Holyhead Cork FRANCEENGLAND Elba (Cobh) Marseille Salerno Barcelona Sydney ITALY GREENLAND

Glasgow

Saguenay Québec Halifax (Cape Breton Island) New York

UNITED STATES

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Reykjavik

NORWAY

PORTUGAL

Lisbon

GREECE

SPAIN

Rome

Tangier (Civitavecchia) Malaga

Mykonos

Suez Canal

JORDAN

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Aqaba Dubai

Grand Turk

OMAN

Muscat

COLOMBIA

Colombo

Equator

Manta

Bora Bora

Lima

Singapore

Equator

INDONESIA

Machu Picchu

Bali

PERU

Pisco

(Benoa)

Indian Ocean

G

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B

ar rie

(Papeete)

f

Easter Island

Brisbane

Departure Ports More Ashore Overnight

South Atlantic Ocean

Scenic Cruising

South Pacific Ocean

Sydney

Fares are per person twin share.

Itinerary

Departs

Nights

INTERIOR ▲ FARES FROM

Sydney to Sydney

3 Jun 5 Jun

108 108

$24,499 $24,499

OCEANVIEW ▲ FARES FROM

BALCONY ▲ FARES FROM

MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

CLUB CLASS MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

$30,299 $30,299

$37,699 $37,699

$64,499 $64,499

$69,799 $69,799

SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

EARLY BOOKING ONBOARD SPENDING MONEY^

$83,299 $83,299

$1,000pp $1,000pp

World Cruise Liners

Fares are per person twin share.

Itinerary

Departs

Nights

INTERIOR ▲ FARES FROM

OCEANVIEW ▲ FARES FROM

BALCONY ▲ FARES FROM

Sydney to London (Dover)

3 Jun 3 Jun 5 Jun 5 Jun 25 Jul 25 Jul

52 74 50 72 56 58

$12,499 $17,999 $12,299 $17,599 $14,099 $14,699

$15,599 $22,099 $14,999 $21,599 $17,199 $17,899

$19,299 $27,299 $18,499 $26,599 $21,299 $22,099

Brisbane to New York London (Dover) to Sydney London (Dover) to Brisbane

MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

CLUB CLASS MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

Fares are per person twin share.

Itinerary

Departs

Nights

INTERIOR ▲ FARES FROM

Sydney to Dubai

3 Jun 25 Jun 25 Jul 16 Aug

22 30 22 34

$4,299 $8,199 $5,299 $8,299

London (Dover) to New York New York to Sydney

EARLY BOOKING ONBOARD SPENDING MONEY^

$400pp $400pp $400pp $400pp $400pp $400pp

Please enquire for availability.

World Cruise Segments

Dubai to London (Dover)

Auckland NEW ZEALAND

World Cruise Roundtrip

Brisbane to London (Dover)

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CHILE

Sydney to New York

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AUSTRALIA

Brisbane to Brisbane

South Pacific Ocean

a

t

(General San Martin)

Tahiti

SRI LANKA

ECUADOR

(Callao)

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Pacific Ocean

(Mina Qaboos)

PANAMA

Panama Canal

International Date Line

Qaqortoq

ICELAND

OCEANVIEW ▲ FARES FROM

BALCONY ▲ FARES FROM

$5,499 $9,899 $6,499 $10,199

$7,099 $11,999 $8,099 $12,699

MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

CLUB CLASS MINI-SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

SUITE ▲ FARES FROM

Please enquire for availability.

EARLY BOOKING ONBOARD SPENDING MONEY^

$100pp $100pp $100pp $100pp

Fares are cruise only, per person in AUD, in complete twin accommodation inclusive of all taxes, government fees and charges (which are subject to change), based on the lead category for each stateroom type. While reasonable allocation of staterooms has been set aside at these fares, if the allocation is sold out the fares may no longer be available. Valid for new bookings and not combinable with any other offer. Fares subject to availability. Some Oceanview staterooms have obstructed views. Contact Princess Cruises® for single berth and third/fourth guest fares. ^Onboard spending money offer applies to the bookings for the fares advertised in this brochure only and is in AUD on selected itineraries only and varies by voyage length as specified for bookings made before 30 April, 2020. Onboard spending money is per person and is applied to the first 2 passengers in a stateroom. Onboard spending money is not transferable, not redeemable for cash, cannot be used at the medical centre or casino. Offer is subject to availability. Fares are available in Australia only. A credit card surcharge of 1.1% for Visa and MasterCard and 2.3% for AMEX, and 1% surcharge for PayPal will apply to direct bookings made through our website or call centre. See princess.com for booking and passage conditions which guests will be bound by. ▲

CRUISE NEWS

HOW TO FEED THE MASSES Today's megaliners carry nearly 7,000 passengers plus crew – that's a lot of mouths to feed. How do these ships feed several thousand people three meals a day and snacks? The kitchens of Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, the world’s largest ship, shared exactly what it takes to satisfy this many appetites.

An enormous amount of planning goes into feeding the 6,680 passengers aboard Symphony, never mind the grocery shopping. On a typical week-long itinerary, the ship would require 60,000 eggs, 4,440kg of chicken, 6,800kg of beef, 9,070kg of potatoes, 952kg of lobster tails and 450 cases of Champagne. Plus, 3,200 slices of pizza are consumed every hour of the cruise.

Hey, big spender!

OceanMedallion comes to Australia Ruby Princess, the newest addition to Princess Cruises' Australian line-up, will become the first “smart ship” in the country when the advanced OceanMedallion technology is switched on in late January.

The device, which allows for more personalised service, manages bookings and orders, and even turns cabin lights and air conditioners on as guests approach, has already had a test on Australian shores.

Welcoming Ruby Princess to her new homeport of Sydney, Michelin-starred chef Curtis Stone, who has his own restaurant Share onboard, engaged his own Princess OceanMedallion to activate a spectacular display of ruby-coloured fireworks as the ship entered the harbour.

See a review of OceanMedallion on Page 36.

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Australia’s cruising industry continues to grow, contributing $5.2 billion to the national economy in 2018-19 – an increase of 11.2 per cent. The latest Economic Impact Assessment commissioned by CLIA and the Australian Cruise Association showed cruisers now spend an average of $387 each every day they’re on shore in Australia. International visitors spend the most, averaging $569 each per day, while domestic travellers average $436. That means 18,135 full time jobs were supported by the cruise sector in 2018-19 – an increase of 6.6 per cent. A total of 1,240 cruise ships carrying 3.8 million passengers and crew visited Australia over the year with a total spend of $2.5 billion.

THIS IS NOT Calling all Oceanauts, Extreme Relaxers, Sun Seekers and Taste Bud Travellers.

Y O U R AV E R A G E

Come seek a world of adventure, relaxation and everything in between. It’s time to experience a holiday like never before. Royal Caribbean is calling you.

Royal Caribbean is calling all Seekers.

FA M I LY H O L I D AY Features shown are subject to change without notice

NEWLY AMPLIFIED VOYAGER OF THE SEAS® SAILING FROM SYDNEY NOVEMBER 2019

T HE P ER FECT STO R M SM

LASE R TAG

SOUTH PACIFIC EXPLORER

12 NIGHTS • DEPARTS 10 JAN 2020 L O YA LT Y ISLANDS

AUSTR ALIA

Sydney

SO U T H PACIFIC

SOUTH PACIFIC

9 NIGHTS • DEPARTS 22 JAN 2020

VA N U AT U

L O YA LT Y ISLANDS

Lifou Vila Mystery Island Maré Isle of Pines Nouméa NEW CALEDONIA

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS®

NEW CALEDONIA

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS®

Royal Caribbean

Vila Lifou Noumea

AUSTR ALIA NEW CALEDONIA

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS®

Visit your local travel advisor

COME SEEK

L O YA LT Y ISLANDS

Vila Lifou Noumea

Mystery Island

Maré Isle of Pines

Sydney

Sydney

SOUTH PACIFIC

11 NIGHTS • DEPARTS 7 MAR 2020

VA N U AT U

L O YA LT Y ISLANDS

Lifou Maré

Isle of Pines AUSTR ALIA

SOUTH PACIFIC EXPLORER

11 NIGHTS • DEPARTS 25 FEB 2020

VA N U AT U

Vila

ADV EN T URE OC EA N SM

VA N U AT U

Mystery Island Maré Isle of Pines

AUSTR ALIA

Sydney

NEW CALEDONIA

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS®

1800 754 500

READER COMPETITION

Win

a 7-night Alaska luxury expedition cruise worth up to $22,000 with PONANT •

Luxury expedition leader PONANT is offering Cruise Passenger readers the opportunity to experience the wilds of Alaska in absolute comfort and true French style.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey in July 2020 onboard Le Soleal follows the trail of the gold prospectors of yore on a seven-night cruise through the magnificent landscapes of Alaska.

Spend one night in trendy Seattle before flying to Juneau, the charming capital of Alaska. Start by sailing along Tracy Arm, one of the state’s most beautiful fjords, before stopping in Haines, where you’re likely to spot bald eagles.

Visit Skagway, the heart of the 19thcentury gold rush, and Sitka, a former Russian settlement surrounded by mountains. Then cruise south through the Inside Passage, the highlight of the journey for many, where glaciers meet spruce forests and whales appear alongside the ship.

Throughout your journey on Le Soleal, relax in your Deluxe Stateroom and enjoy PONANT’s five-star service, fine dining and drinks package and education program, as well as Zodiac outings and shore landings led by the expedition team.

End your voyage in the fabulous harbour city of Vancouver, Canada, from where you’ll be flown back to Australia.

This incredible prize is for one lucky reader and one guest and includes: - A seven-night Alaska: On the Trail of the Gold Prospectors luxury expedition cruise onboard Le Soleal from 22 July 2020 to 29 July 2020.

- Accommodation in a Deluxe Stateroom.

- Return flights for two from Australia in economy class - One night’s accommodation for two in Seattle pre cruise.

- One-way flight for two from Seattle to Juneau.

- Transfers to Juneau port for embarkation.

- One night’s accommodation for two in Vancouver post cruise - All meals, open bar and complimentary WiFi onboard.

- Zodiac outings and shore landings accompanied by an expert expedition team.

- Onboard lectures, daily recaps and briefings.

- Polar parka gift and free boot rental.

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READER COMPETITION

How to enter Go to cruisepassenger. com.au/competitions and answer this simple question: What is the capital city of Alaska?

Terms and conditions apply.

See cruisepassenger. com.au/competitions

cruisepassenger.com.au

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CRUISE NEWS

A PERFECT DAY IN VANUATU Lelepa Island, Vanuatu, is ringed by pristine white sand beaches and swaying palm trees; there is limited fresh water and the bare minimum of electricity supplies.

But two years from now Lelepa is going to look vastly different. The Royal Caribbean day club is due to open in 2022, offering passengers – up to 4,500 per day at first – the opportunity to experience a perfect day on a tropical island.

In an exclusive interview with the Australian architects behind Royal Caribbean’s new private island in Vanuatu, we discover what a “perfect day” at Lelepa will look like. According to head designer David Holm, of Cox Architects, it’s going to be all about "chill and thrill".

There will be huge waterslides, some of the world’s longest and fastest zip lines, swimming pools, numerous dining options, a wave pool, private beach clubs for adults, family designated beach areas, over-water bungalows and of course, a pier large enough to receive the cruise ships.

The difference between this island design and that of existing RCCL private island Coco Cay in the Bahamas is that

Cox Architects will be attempting to integrate as much of the local Vanuatu design and culture as possible, to give it a more sensitive look and feel.

“The main pavilion areas will be based on traditional Vanuatu meeting-place designs called nakamals, with large open-air roofs, woven natural materials, bamboo, local wild cane, naturally sourced timbers and furniture sourced in the South Pacific,” says Mr Holm.

“We want to leave a light footprint – this will be a fully carbon-neutral island, with a sustainable energy and waste management system, and we aim to immerse ourselves in the local culture and design to achieve an authenticity and calibre of thoughtfulness.”

The sensitive construction will work in tandem with the large-capacity design.

“Think of Indiana Jones, with a bit of Mad Max mixed in – we want the guests to feel like they are explorers.

“It will have something for everyone – catering to a large density of guests, but people who also do not want to queue.

It will be fun, with escape areas too.”

Next steps in new Botany port plans The Port Authority of NSW started engaging with Botany stakeholders in October about expanding the container port’s facilities to handle cruise ships. Construction is slated to start in 2023 and lines have offered to help with expertise and investment once the location has been approved.

The community will be given a choice between Molineaux Point and Yarra Bay. Cruise operators and the broader industry will also be engaged regarding the viability of the options, potential partnering and financing.

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CRUISE NEWS

HOW YOU CAN RETIRE AT SEA

Fancy retiring at sea? New cruise line Storylines is offering you the chance to do just that.

Storylines is a concept four years in the making from Queenslanders Alister Punton and Shannon Lee, who both have a background in real estate.

“One of the things we looked at was whether people live on cruise ships now. If you speak to anyone who cruises, I guarantee that they know someone or they have spoken to someone at the bar or restaurant who has been back to back on that ship for a year or hasn’t touched land for a couple of years on various ships,” says Mr Punton, CEO and co-founder of Storylines.

The line announced in November that they are taking pre-sale deposits for their first new-build ship MV Narrative, due late 2023. It expects Australia to be one of its key markets, and Narrative already has more than one Australian guest booked.

The residences are starting at $510,740 for 24 years of ownership. Annual fees starting at $2,448 per person per month will provide guests with allinclusive service on board; food, some shore excursions, medical facilities and more.

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Renderings of Narrative, due 2023.

“We have just only started in the Australian market and I know that, per capita, Australia is going to be the strongest market for us,” Mr Punton told Cruise Passenger.

Storylines is a different experience from the tourist cruise environment of back-to-back cruising. You get an at-home experience with a community, making Storylines unique and "your ship", says Mr Punton.

The 1,000-passenger LNG ship will circumnavigate the world every three and a half years, spending three to five days in port. It is fitted out with more than 20 restaurants, 45 resident lounges, three pools, a gym and spa. The ship will also have amenities like a garden farm, a microbrewery and a marina where residents can sail, jet ski and kayak right off the deck.

“Everyone loves the idea of travelling long term but when you actually do it, it is really taxing even if you travel first class,” says Mr Punton.

His solution was Storylines, allowing guests to travel full time from the comfort of their home, with all the luxury and independence they require.

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MSC GRANDIOSA Cross Section CRUISE NEWS

KIDS CLUB

BOWLING

AQUAPARK KIDS AREA

MSC GYM

BY TECHNOGYM® SKY LOUNGE

POWER WALKING TRACK

POOL AREA

POOL

STEAK HOUSE

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MSC YACHT CLUB

COVERED POOL

BUFFET

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RESTAURANT

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CASINO

BARS

BISTROT STREET MARKET

RECEPTION GUEST SERVICE

IS THIS THE MOST CLIMATE FRIENDLY MEGALINER?

CHOCOLATERIE

She’s been billed as the most environmentally advanced ship yet and MSC Grandiosa’s launch in November heralded a new era of sustainable cruising. Inside her luxurious European finishes, she features new technologies, such as a hybrid closed-loop exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) which reduces sulphur emissions by 97 per cent.

Grandiosa will also be the first MSC Cruises ship to feature a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system which helps reduce nitrogen oxide

GALLERIA GRANDIOSA

THEATRE

by 80 per cent. Other MSC ships currently under construction – Virtuosa and Seashore – will also feature the SCR technology.

The 6,297-passenger Grandiosa is 16 metres longer than the other Meraviglia class vessels and has 200 more cabins. She also features an extended indoor promenade with more dining options and two all-new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, Cosmos – Journey to the Unbelievable and Exentricks.

BEAT THE QUEUE

Cunard welcomes Durie aboard Garden designer and TV personality Jamie Durie is the latest star tipped to join Queen Elizabeth’s inaugural Gardening Voyage departing Sydney in March 2021.

Durie will share his ideas on landscape design, future trends and sustainable home gardens during the cruise, which will also call at Hobart and Melbourne. He will join other gardening experts including Graham Ross, horticulturalist Angus Stewart and 22

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author and presenter Indira Naidoo. Keen gardeners will learn about managing a balcony garden, organic pest control, lawn maintenance, composting, rose gardening, bee-keeping and growing natives. During the cruise, they can also participate in gardening trivia, take craft classes and pick up tips on cooking with ingredients from their home gardens. Fares start at $1,499 per person twin share.

Norwegian Cruise Line is the latest line to sell priority access, which lets guests enhance their cruise with VIP perks for a fee. Holland America Line offers their Club Orange program fleetwide, while Carnival has Faster to the Fun and Royal Caribbean has The Key. These programs are built around being able to beat the queues during boarding, tendering and disembarking but different lines also throw in extra benefits like complimentary room service, spa credits and more.

See full story cruisepassenger.com.au.

CROSS SECTION MSC GRANDIOSA

COMMAND DECK

CAROUSEL LOUNGE

CRUISE NEWS

P&O offers waterslide racing Pacific Adventure is the upcoming P&O ship due to call Australia home.

The 3,100-guest ship will join the P&O fleet in October 2020 and at the heart of it is a new indoor-outdoor space that is designed specifically with families in mind.

The centrepiece of the family entertainment area will be the new dual waterslides. Twin Racer, a first-of-itskind, according to the line, is designed for family members to race each other down. It has two 135-metre tubes with transparent sections that lets racers keep tabs on their opponents.

The family area also includes a pool under a sliding glass roof so guests can swim any time of the year.

More adventurous family members can experience the P&O Edge Adventure Park, with a flying fox, Walk the Plank experience and rockclimbing wall built next to the Twin Racer waterslide.

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Accommodation and flights are at the discretion of Bicton Travel. *Shore excursion service stop only. Travel insurance is a requirement of travel. Payment by credit card attracts a merchant fee. Full terms and conditions provided at the time of booking.

CRUISE NEWS

Carnival Splendor

•

When the 3,700-passenger Carnival Splendor departs Sydney on December 10, kicking off at least 18 months of three- to 11-day itineraries, it will mark a significant change for the line known for its Fun Ships and appeal to kids. The long-anticipated vessel will be fresh from a dramatic overhaul and will be introducing the cruise line’s Cloud 9 Spa and matching accommodation to the local market.

Cruisers who have not sailed on a Carnival ship with a Cloud 9 spa are in for a treat. The two-level, 2,000-square-metre health haven is one of the biggest at sea, with ergonomically shaped heated loungers that face the ocean, an impressive fitness centre, a refreshment-stocked relaxation sanctuary, multiple steam rooms and the thalassotherapy pool, which is a slice of heaven all by itself. Picture a giant hot tub filled with soothing mineral water with bubbling jets and streaming fountains working their magic on tired backs and shoulders. This pool puts the “ahh” in “spahh”.

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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Carnival Splendor, Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest ship to date, is entering service in Sydney. David Dickstein is aboard before she heads Down Under.

Above: the waterplay area on Carnival Splendor.

Right: young cruisers on a Carnival Fun Ship.

Far right: Explorer Dream in Sydney.

You’ll get even more of that feeling if splurging on one of the ship’s 60-plus exclusive spa staterooms and suites that offers guests private Cloud 9 access. The price of being pampered includes upgraded toiletries and robes, fitness classes – Pilates fills up fast, so book early – and access to the tranquil adults-only Serenity Retreat, the Thermal Suite and that amazing thalassotherapy pool. Exclusive discounts on spa treatments help make restoring, invigorating and rejuvenating even easier.

Splendor’s trans-Pacific change of address also coincides with a tasty new menu.

CRUISE NEWS

Carnival is upping its regular Tandoori fare with a modern take on chargrilled meats and vegetables, curries and naan at Masala Tiger, located in Serenity.

Pizzeria del Capitano is a step up from Carnival’s just-OK Pizza Pirate; past patrons will appreciate the fresher and tastier slices and improvements in décor, ordering process and overall vibe. Plus, like Masala Tiger, it’s included in the fare.

Dining at upscale steakhouse Fahrenheit 555 comes with a surcharge, but it’s worth it for the ship’s best meat. For surf without the turf, check out Seafood Shack, the New England-themed premium restaurant serving up a daily fresh catch, a selection of oysters and an amazing Boston-style clam chowder. One nit to pick with Seafood Shack: no cruise line should charge extra for fish and chips.

But it’s not called the Fun Ship for nothing. While in dry dock, Splendor is getting a waterplay area that, the line promises, will “take things to a whole new level”.

Youngsters will enjoy a splash zone more elaborate than what was onboard in its North American days.

Older kids and the young at heart will have good, clean fun careening down two thrill slides that replace the single spiraling water tube that more than one teenager told me was “lame”.

The new Green Lightening slide, said to surpass the Green Thunder currently on two Australian-based Carnival ships, will be 40 metres long and start with an 11.3-metre free fall, followed by a slingshot curve that shoots guests into a giant swirling bowl. Next door will be the yellow Twister Waterslide, taking riders through 104 metres of twists and turns before spitting them out – only for them to get back up and do it again, and again, and again…

Explorer Dream

•

Explorer Dream, the latest ship from Asia’s first luxury cruise line, has arrived in Sydney – marking the line’s first sailing beyond Asia. The 1,856-passenger ship – described as “Asian at heart and international in spirit” – joined the line’s fleet in April 2019, after her $43.5 million refurbishment, with new offerings for the Australian market.

For dining, Explorer Dream partners with acclaimed Australian chef Mark Best to introduce al fresco dining at Seafood Grill and bring the Australian touch to the fusion style dishes in the Dream Dining Room.

Another highlight of Explorer Dream is the luxury “ship within a ship” concept The Palace which boasts an incomparable Asian luxury experience.

The Palace comes with butlers who will be at your service 24 hours a day, and guests have access to a range of private facilities, including a pool and deck area, restaurant and casino.

Voyager of the Seas

•

Voyager of the Seas has emerged fresh from her $140 million makeover in Singapore.

One of the highlights of the revamp was the addition of 72 inside and balcony staterooms and an overhaul of older rooms and common areas. Passengers will be pleased with the upgrades – new marble furnishings, carpets, furniture and upholstery.

Windjammer Restaurant’s furniture is all new, and communal long tables have been added to encourage guest interaction. Based on guest feedback, the Captain’s Table has been moved to a central location at the top floor, offering guests a more prestigious dining experience. Cruisers can also look forward to new menus in the main dining room when Voyager heads for Australia; additions will include local favourites such as Vegemite and pies.

For suite guests, the Diamond Lounge is a quiet area away from the crowd. Moved to deck 5 from deck 14, the relocation allows guests to easily make their way to the main dining room and the shows afterward.

Kids’ and teens’ areas have also been improved.

Young kids can run wild in the new Adventure Ocean room; the teens’ area on deck 12 is a cool hangout, with a pool table, snazzy lounge and video games; and the nursery is helmed by certified child-care professionals.

All in all, Voyager’s revamp will please both new and returning cruisers. cruisepassenger.com.au

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CRUISE NEWS

IS THIS THE END OF SEASICKNESS?

Itineraries released for Silver Dawn

Silversea has revealed five fabulous new voyages aboard their new vessel Silver Dawn – the tenth ship in the cruise line’s fleet – due 2021.

The 596-guest vessel will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing to Fort Lauderdale, USA as part of the 2021/2022 itineraries, which include stops in Venice, Athens, Barcelona and Lisbon.

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Currently under construction

by Fincantieri in Ancona, Silver Dawn will be a sister ship to Silver Muse and Silver Moon.

In addition to offering guests the choice of eight distinct culinary venues, Silver Dawn will feature Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. program, which will unlock immersive travel experiences for guests through culinary discovery.

Aurora Expeditions christened its latest innovative ship, Greg Mortimer, in a ceremony set against the snow-capped mountains of Ushuaia in Argentina.

Godmother to the ship, Margaret Mortimer, is the wife of explorer and co-founder of Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer after whom the ship is named.

To mark the occasion, she smashed a ceremonial piece of Antarctic ice against the world’s first passenger expedition ship featuring the Ulstein X-Bow. This new technology is designed to let the ship cut waves with greater stability and provide passengers with a steadier journey – reducing seasickness in rough waters.

The ceremony marked a new era for the company and set a new standard in expedition cruise.

“We are excited to invite guests to experience Mother Nature at her best and visit the most remote areas in the world, all whilst in the refined and relaxed comfort of the Greg Mortimer.

“Integral to Aurora Expeditions’ DNA is sustainability and the preservation of natural areas and that is showcased in the design of the Greg Mortimer with anchorless technology and reduced emissions.

“Aurora Expeditions really is leading the way in expedition cruising,” said Robert Halfpenny, managing director of the company.

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LUXURY CRUISE NEWS

Crystal Cruises is making a bid to appeal to younger cruisers with exciting new shore excursions and onboard entertainment.

Passengers can take a Ferrari for a drive through Singapore, fly a training fighter jet in New Zealand or take a helicopter to a mountain peak in Alaska for a thrilling bike ride down.

Onboard, Crystal’s partnership with Broadway will bring together producers, entertainers and other artists for exclusive performances.

The line is also offering more short, sevenday itineraries across its fleet to attract the next generation of cruisers.

“These voyages really are perfect for multigenerational travel, for people with busy schedules and for people who want to try Crystal for the first time,” CEO Tom Wolber said.

The line has diversified its brand extensively, now offering yacht sailings alongside its ships, and is soon to launch an expedition vessel.

The 62-passenger yacht Crystal Esprit is popular with younger cruisers, due to its more rustic shore offerings than Crystal’s other brands. Crystal Endeavour launches next year for Antarctic expeditions, which are more challenging for older guests due to difficult zodiac landings, and may be more appealing to younger cruisers.

Seabourn reveals new eatery

CRYSTAL CRUISES' NEED FOR SPEED

Guests onboard the new Seabourn Venture and her yet-to-be-named sister ship will be treated to eight new dining experiences.

The newest eatery, The Colonnade, was designed by Adam D. Tihany, the same designer who gave Seabourn’s

latest ships a chic, American country-club makeover.

Guests can enjoy dinner served table-side at The Colonnade, while breakfast and lunch will be available both with table service and buffet-style stations.

Special theme nights will

feature Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller creating dinners that pay homage to his American childhood.

His interpretations of classic comfort dishes, such as clam bake and BBQ ribs will be served family style on platters for the table to share.

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LUXURY CRUISE NEWS

SILVERSEA’S ‘LIFE DEFINING’ CROSSING Silversea has crossed the Northeast Passage, the shipping route along the Arctic coasts of Norway and Russia, for the first time in the line's history on its expedition vessel Silver Explorer.

The passengers travelled 5,019 nautical miles between Nome, Alaska, and Tromsø, Norway, visiting 27 destinations in three countries from August 10 to September 5.

“It was a life-defining voyage,” says Stefan Kredel, Silversea’s expedition leader for the crossing.

“Nothing is guaranteed this far north but we were very fortunate with the weather and ice conditions.

We are delighted to have unlocked so many unique and memorable experiences for our guests in this remarkable region, from a folklore performance by locals in Provideniya to various sightings of polar bears and walruses.”

The expedition team of 15 experts included three historians, a marine biologist, a botanist, a geologist, an ornithologist and a photographer.

Birdwatchers, especially, were in luck, with sightings of a huge range of different birds, identified with the help of ornithologist Dr Dane Sheehan.

Near Kolyuchin Island, passengers on zodiacs managed to spot seven polar bears in just one hour.

In the East Siberian Sea, passengers rose at 6am to search for wildlife in surrounding ice floes. They were not disappointed; they spotted walruses resting on floes and a polar bear and her two cubs navigating the ice.

Above: Silver Explorer just metres from polar bears. Below: carvings from Uelen Village, Russia.

Following this, guests visited the isolated settlement on Ayon Island, a small town of aged Soviet-style buildings inhabited by just 300 residents. Local children performed traditional songs and dances in an authentic display of the region’s historical culture.

On the remote shores of Ostrov Isachenko, lucky cruisers had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when the ship’s hotel team ventured ashore and set up a temporary bar near an abandoned weather station, serving Champagne and caviar blinis in temperatures of just 3°C. Silversea will offer two concurrent crossings of the Northwest and Northeast Passages next year. There’s a 24-day voyage on Silver Cloud for the crossing of the Northwest Passage, departing Kangerlussuag for Tromsø on August 21, 2020, and a 25-day Northeast Passage crossing on Silver Explorer will depart Nome for Tromsø on August, 22, 2020.

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ADVERTORIAL

North to Norway It’s a long way to the top of the world, but there are plenty of reasons it should be on your to-do list, writes Barry Stone.

N

orway is a year-round destination; in the summer the sun is still visible at midnight above the Arctic Circle. And in winter, experience the Northern Lights on a cruise that takes you past Norway’s white-clad coastline and on excursions including crosscountry skiing, dog sledding, snow shoeing and visiting tiny charming towns. Hurtigruten has been sailing the Norwegian coastline since 1893 and no one knows its tides, currents, fjords and local communities better.

The line’s 17-night Follow the Lights tour is a great way to begin your relationship with Norway.

Depart Oslo on the Norway in a Nutshell tour, taking in the famous Flåm Railway, with its spectacular mountain views, and Nærøyfjord, before reaching the historic port of Bergen. Here you board your ship and sail north to Ålesund and the old capital Trondheim, before crossing the Arctic Circle south of the Lofoten archipelago, where your search for Aurora Borealis – nature’s ultimate light show – begins.

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Above: the Northern Lights, Lofoten. Top right: MS Roald Amundsen. Bottom right: Bergen’s old town.

You’ll then continue north to Tromsø with its wealth of centuries-old wooden buildings, all the way to North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe that can be accessed by car. The voyage ends in Kirkenes, jumping off point for the North Pole, and from there you turn southwards again, travelling overland into Finland to the indigenous Sami capital of Inari and to visit husky and reindeer farms and Santa Claus’s Village. Continue south to the Finnish capital Helsinki and across the Baltic Sea to medieval Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

Shorter options include Hurtigruten’s six-day voyage north from Bergen to Kirkenes, or Kirkenes south to Bergen, or try the 12-day, 34-port Bergen-Kirkenes return voyage, with a staggering 90 optional shore excursions, both departing year round. On these voyages, you’ll visit numerous cities and coastal villages, the Seven Sisters mountains legend says are seven female trolls turned to stone, and Trollfjord, with its 100 metre-wide mouth and towering 1,000-metre summits.

ADVERTORIAL

The Hurtigruten Fleet •

Hurtigruten’s fleet is growing and existing ships are refitted with the latest in technology and passenger comforts.

MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden voyage was in July 2019. It is the world’s first hybrid-powered Polar exploration ship, fitted with lithium ion batteries to reduce the load on its diesel generators, a game-changing approach to environmental stewardship that is being gradually introduced to Hurtigruten’s existing fleet.

MS Otto Sverdrup (built 2002, to be refurbished 2020) will be fitted with low-emission motors and a lithium ion battery pack, and will be able to run on land-based power facilities when in port.

MS Eirik Raude (built 2003, to be refurbished 2021) will be equipped

with a lithium ion battery pack, its engines upgraded with lowemission motors, and will be fitted with shore power connections that will allow it to run off onshore power facilities when in port. Its refurbished, sun-filled interior will have numerous examples of Norwegian contemporary art.

MS Maud (built 2002, to be refurbished 2021) will be retrofitted with a lithium ion battery pack, which is quickly becoming Hurtigruten standard.

All three ships to be refurbished will also undergo significant updates to their cabins, suites, and public areas, including pools and hot tubs.

For more information about Hurtigruten’s voyages visit hurtigruten.com.au

A feature of all Hurtigruten coastal voyages is its Coastal Kitchen. Food is sourced as locally as possible, in many instances from local fisherman; the ship’s menus might include lamb from Geiranger fjord, cod and dairy products from Lofoten, hard-to-find cloudberries, and in Finnmark region there’s even king crab, hand-delivered to the ship by the fishermen who caught them.

At sea there are onboard lectures given by the passionate and highly experienced expedition team on history, geology, biology and climate, photography workshops, and port and excursion presentations. Most ships also have an onboard Science Center and Wellness area. On a Hurtigruten voyage, you can be as busy or relaxed as you like.

And don’t forget the confident Northern Lights Promise, valid for select voyages from October 1 to March 31, which promises a free six or seven-night cruise if you don’t see the Northern Lights.* *terms and conditions apply.

cruisepassenger.com.au

31

RIVER CRUISE NEWS

NEW APT VESSEL FOR THE MEKONG

The Mekong River, spanning stunning Cambodia and Vietnam has never looked more enticing, thanks to APT’s newest luxury river ship RV AmaMekong.

AmaMekong is due to launch in October with four exciting new itineraries offering luxury experiences across 14 destinations including Siem Reap, Ho Ch Minh City, Hanoi, Yangon and Ha Long Bay. This exclusive vessel only accommodates 88 guests in 44 rooms, and with some of the largest entry-level suites, all with spacious balconies, on

Scenic still in legal battles

Scenic lost their case in the NSW Court of Appeal recently over compensation payments for 1,000 passengers affected by flooded rivers in Europe in 2013.

Now the line faces another case, with the lead plaintiff from the 2013 group given dispensation to argue he and other guests are entitled to additional damages for “distress and disappointment”.

Additionally, at least 14 cruises in 2018 were affected by low water levels, meaning passengers “didn’t get what they paid for” and may also take action.

The lawyers will be arguing that, 32

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“despite their experiences with the 2013 cruises, Scenic again did not cancel tours and refund money to passengers.”

Scenic told Cruise Passenger, “Since 2013, [we have] improved communication to ensure guests are more aware of extreme weather issues...

"No guests have come forward in relation to a class action for weather conditions in 2018. [We have] been advised to provide documentation for some cruises affected by low water in 2018. [We are] reviewing our right to appeal this decision.”

the Mekong, this new river ship is bringing a new level of elegance to the region.

Onboard, there is a pool where guests can cool off and relax on the loungers, and grab a light lunch at the accompanying café.

APT’s long standing partnership with Luke Nguyen has resulted in the Indochine restaurant which serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a five-course menu.

Butler service offers guests additional personalised attention and room service.

UNIWORLD ON THE DOURO Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has revealed pictures of its new ship, S.S. São Gabriel, set to debut on the Douro River in Portugal in April.

She will be one of Uniworld’s new Super Ships, with the entire top deck fitted with lavishly appointed suites enhanced with butler service.

São Gabriel is designed to reflect the Douro River Valley region through its décor and local food and wine. Guests will be immersed the UNESCO-designated Douro River Valley on the ship’s 11-day Portugal, Spain & The Douro Valley itinerary from Lisbon to Porto.

RIVER CRUISE NEWS

TOP RIVER LINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS

River cruisers are a loyal bunch, and the lines that ply our inland waterways are well aware they love to be rewarded. So who has the best loyalty program on the river?

Comparing is a serious business, with onboard credit, gifts and expensive hotels stays at stake. Most lines let guests climb the ranks based on the number of sailings, with different cabin categories and destinations earning different points. Perks on offer include travel credit or vouchers, pre/post cruise hotel stays, exclusive offers and priority on pre-release itineraries.

/ Crystal Cruises The Crystal Society accumulates Milestone levels according to the number sailings they have made. Some of the benefits include savings on every voyage, hosted cocktail parties, a free cruise reward redeemed at Milestone 25, penthouse upgrades on various milestones and more.

/ APT The APT Club has four membership tiers, the highest of which can be reached with

six trips of more than seven days. They offer perks like hotel stays, custom travel accessories and vouchers on your next trip and for any friend and family referrals.

APT also have a relationship with Qantas that lets Frequent Fliers earn up to two points on every dollar spent on an APT river cruise.

/ Scenic The Scenic Club has four tiers, with no need for additional travel to maintain membership

or tier status. Members get free branded luggage, a quarterly magazine, vouchers and special offers and enjoy complimentary onboard services. Scenic also offers a Welcome Home hamper after every Scenic trip of 20 days or more. Members also have access to specialty dining and member-only competitions and events so you can meet with other Scenic fans.

/ Uniworld Guests are automatically enrolled in the River Heritage Club after their first cruise. It is a single tier membership and members get an exclusive welcome gift, complimentary in-room fruit platter, laundry service, Captain’s cocktail party and five per cent off select trips across The Travel Corporation brands.

/ Avalon Waterways The line does not have a specific loyalty program but the Globus family of brands including Avalon offers a “Welcome Back Credit” of up to $275 per person. You’ll earn credits each time you travel on a Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways holiday.

/ Viking River Cruises Guests are automatically enrolled in the single-tier Viking Explorer Society after their first cruise. Reserve again within set periods of your last Viking cruise to receive travel credit. Viking Explorer Society members also get invitations to members-only cocktail parties, and early access to Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, so you always have first choice of destinations and departure dates. cruisepassenger.com.au

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READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

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CruiseReviews INSIDE

Sky Princess finally launches 36

Norwegian Encore is luxury in disguise 42

Oceania Insignia is better than new 48

Star Clipper explores Indonesia in style 52

Star Clipper.

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SHIP REVIEW: SKY PRINCESS

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SHIP REVIEW: SKY PRINCESS

TA K E TO THE SKIES The high-class, high-tech Sky Princess has finally launched, and Sue Bryant is a fan.

M A young cruiser enjoys the pool deck.

ore than four decades since The Love Boat soap made the old Pacific Princess a star of the small screen, and five years since Princess Cruises launched a ship for the international market, Sky Princess made its long-awaited debut in Trieste in October.

Fans of Princess Cruises will find much that’s familiar on the 3,660-passenger ship, which is the fourth of a series of six Royal Class vessels that began in 2013 with Royal Princess. Regal Princess and Majestic Princess followed, although the latter is dedicated to the Asian market. Now, though, the wait is over.

All of the line’s trademarks are here: Movies Under The Stars; the gorgeous Piazza, all gleaming marble and sparkly lights; Sabatini’s, for top notch Italian food; the classy Crown Grill Steakhouse; and the luxurious Lotus Spa. You won’t find amusement parks, water slides or go kart tracks on Princess ships and like its sisters, Sky Princess is more about elegance and relaxation than gimmicks.

There’s plenty that’s new, and all of it for the better. I love the Piazza at the base of the three-deck Atrium; it really is like a town square and you could sit here all day, snacking, shopping, joining the occasional dance class, drinking coffee or wine, people watching, and later, taking in the entertainment. A few new touches make it even more fun. The International Café now serves light snacks 24 hours a day and was my favourite spot for a quiet breakfast of pastries, fruit and a passable flat white.

Vines, the popular wine bar, has a new tasting and blending experience in partnership with Napa Valley’s prestigious Silverado cruisepassenger.com.au

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Above: Soleil Dining Room.

Below: Sky Suite. Right: OceanMedallion screens.

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SHIP REVIEW: SKY PRINCESS

Like its sisters, Sky Princess is more about elegance and relaxation than gimmicks.”

Vineyard. The revamped Gelato is a find; the ice creams and sorbets here are made as part of a collaboration with the University of Gelato in Bologna – who would have known such a place existed? I put Gelato’s claim of traditional icecream making techniques to the test with a scoop of creamy pistachio and a second of tangy mango sorbet. Both were sublime.

There are plenty of other restaurants around the Piazza; the new Bistro Sur La Mer, offering French classics with a contemporary twist at $42, is new, while Alfredo’s Pizzeria has had a redesign. Both offer al fresco dining, a welcome addition.

Sabatini’s, too, is vastly improved, with new menus from Angelo Auriana, executive chef of swanky Los Angeles restaurants The Factory Kitchen and Officine BRERA. A night at Sabatini’s used to mean fasting all day to make space, then bingeing and staggering out of the restaurant, feeling overstuffed (for me, at least). Now, the food is much lighter and even my not-very-healthy choices of burrata followed by eggplant parmigiana were elegantly presented and just right in portion size.

The pool deck has a slightly different layout from the sister ships, with the SeaView bar shifted to under the big screen, creating extra space for loungers. There are two big pools, rather than one main one and a splash pool. The glass Sky Walk, a signature feature of Princess Cruises, features on both sides of this deck, cantilevered out over the water. I took a deep breath and walked along it, nothing between me and the foaming sea, 16 decks below. Another cool new feature here is two circular sitting areas in padded wells between the pools, shaded by a triangular sail. They’re like Jacuzzis but without the water and were always full with people chatting, drinking cocktails and watching the big screen.

The pool deck is certainly a beautiful space but it was too noisy for me. The Movies Under The Stars screen is impressive, and super high definition, but the constant blaring of film soundtrack, sports commentary or music was relentless. I far preferred the peaceful Wakeview pool aft on deck 16, a new feature, with dreamy views over the wake and a handy cocktail bar; perfect for sailaways or predinner drinks. And then there’s The Retreat, an adults-only space, virtually hidden, forward on deck 17 and blissfully free of noise. You don’t even have to pay to use this.

OceanMedallion

One of the best bits of Sky Princess is the gadgetry.

•

Although Princess Cruises introduced OceanMedallion in 2017, Sky Princess is the first in the fleet to be fully fitted with the technology, which includes 116 kilometres of cable and 7,000 sensors embedded in the ship’s structure.

There are two elements: the app, MedallionClass, you download to your smartphone and add a photo and personal profile to; and the OceanMedallion itself, a disc the size of a poker chip. The medallion is your room key, credit card and ID. It doesn’t store data – that’s all safely encrypted in the ship’s system – but it’s like a car license plate, unique to each user.

The door opening feature is nifty.

As you approach your cabin, a screen on the door lights up with your picture and a welcome message as it opens.

You can use the app to order drinks or food from anywhere onboard, track friends and family round the ship, pick your favourite activities from the daily program and play interactive games. And should you find the idea of being wedded to your phone on holiday intolerable, just tap the medallion onto one of the many screens around the ship and all the same functions are available.

What’s also pleasing is that the crew’s handheld devices detect who is in the area and they can

immediately see your picture and address you by name as they bring your drink. As Prag Shah, the cruise line’s global head of experience and innovation operations says, “We’re not turning our crew into robots.

We’re enabling them to provide a higher level of service.”

OceanMedallion won’t cost you anything; it works on the ship’s own network, so you don’t have to pay for WiFi, although this, too, is impressive.

MedallionNet is super-fast and although it costs $9.99 a day, that covers four devices and it’s good enough for streaming.

I had a couple of reservations.

Buying a drink is so seamless that with no chit to sign, it would be easy to lose track of just how many piña coladas you’d downed. And no doubt there’s further money to be lost via a gambling app, OceanCasino, which allows you to feed a virtual fruit machine on your phone from anywhere on the ship.

Some passengers were muttering about Big Brother but OceanMedallion has more than 99 per cent take up – and it genuinely works. I liked the personal service element and I loved the ease of everything. I wouldn’t bother with the gambling but that aside, this is a significant leap forward in cruise ship technology. cruisepassenger.com.au

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SHIP REVIEW: SKY PRINCESS

Tales from Trieste

The Italian city that’s home to royal families and royal ships.

•

The major cities of Italy are stunning, but it’s the small, lesser-known cities and towns that can steal your heart. A fine example is Trieste, the port city perched on the edge of the Adriatic in the northeast of Italy, where historic tales are whispered at the turn of every cobblestoned laneway and there is a passion for cruise like no other Italian town.

It is also home to the Fincantieri shipyards where many of the world’s best ships are built. When Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess launched from there, local Captain Dino Sagani became king for a day, sailing the ship along the coast of Trieste - residents flocking to the shoreline in support of their hometown hero. In October, her sister ship Sky Princess also launched in this beautiful city in October.

Trieste has long been known as the ultimate nowhere. Sitting just below the Slovene border, and officially part of several countries and empires over the centuries, the Triestine consider themselves spiritually tied to none of them. In fact, they don’t even claim to be Italian. They belong to Trieste and Trieste alone.

It’s not hard to see why. Trieste was once one of the oldest parts of the Habsburg Monarchy for close to 400 years, and its grand architecture reflects this heritage.

In the 19th century, the Monarchy was one of the Great Powers of Europe and Trieste was its most important seaport, becoming the fourth largest city of the AustroHungarian Empire and at the end of the 19th century it emerged as an important hub for literature and music.

Trieste saw an economic boom in the 1930s, creating what is today a city of revival – ancient castles and theatres have been reborn, the sea breeze carries the scents of cafes and bakeries, and the Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia is a marketplace of Italian accents, fashion, bars and local artists all celebrating the beauty of their Trieste.

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Above: Miramare Castle, Trieste.

Right: Sky Princess at sea.

You can play recluse to your heart’s content one deck up in The Sanctuary, a haven of serenity, with uninterrupted forward views, waiter service and a large hot tub. A day here with a reserved lounger costs $40, or $20 for half a day, while one of the private cabanas, screened off by cream curtains and coming with TV, headphones and drinks, costs $220 per cabana per day.

Appealing to high-spending customers is a growing trend among the mainstream lines and Princess has added two spectacular Sky Suites to Sky Princess, with 270-degree views from their wraparound balconies – the largest balconies at sea, we’re told – two bedrooms and stylish living and entertaining space. If you’re on your Sky Suite balcony, you have the best seats in the house for watching the big screen on Lido Deck below – and there’s a certain smug pleasure in knowing everybody’s looking up at you, too. Sky Suites come with their own concierge who can arrange things like a pizza party, a cocktail reception, stargazing and, interestingly, the chance to choose the movie that will be shown on the big screen. These suites are already practically sold out for two years, at around $10,000 per person for a week.

The ship has 52 cabins more than its predecessors but doesn’t feel crowded; some of the public rooms have been opened out and there’s an enormous amount of deck space. Some of these extra cabins are located around The Retreat, while there are six new Penthouse suites and two forward-facing suites, also on deck 17, with no balcony but spectacular views.

Accommodation across the spectrum has had a refresh, with lighter, more contemporary décor. My balcony cabin had cream and gold tones, with pale wood, gauzy curtains and a stylish padded headboard.

Bathrooms are compact and here, I do have a gripe; I’m surprised that even in 2019, cruise lines continue to fit ships with clingy shower curtains.

Princess Cruises has always been big on entertainment and the new shows on Sky Princess won’t disappoint. In the Princess Theatre, Rock Opera was my favourite, mashing up ‘popera’ and songs from the shows with spectacular sets and dance routines and dazzling designer costumes by Jackson Lowell, who has created outfits for Katy Perry, Pink, Jennifer Aniston and Elton John. It stars tenor Brian Justin Crum, a finalist on America’s Got Talent.

Take Five is a new feature for Princess, and a welcome one, as it’s a stylish jazz bar with a resident trio who play anything from swing to Cuban. It was fairly quiet on my preview sailing but I can imagine it’ll be hopping when the ship is full. Also new is Inspired Silliness, a puppet show from the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, home of The Muppets, on show in the Vista Lounge.

This one’s for the whole family but an adult show is in the pipeline.

The bottom line? This gentle evolution from the sister ships is welcome. Newcomers to Princess should love the elegance and the variety on board, while regulars won’t be disappointed.

SHIP REVIEW: SKY PRINCESS

+ Fact file

CRUISE LINE: Princess Cruises VESSEL: Sky Princess STAR RATING: Not yet rated MAX PASSENGER CAPACITY: 3,660 TOTAL CREW: 1,346 PASSENGER DECKS: 19 TONNAGE: 141,000 ENTERED SERVICE: Launched 2019 FACILITIES: Restaurants, bars, pools, The Sanctuary, Piazza, lounges, casino, theatres, art gallery, sports centre, spa.

BOOKINGS: princess.com

+ The verdict

HIGHS: Great variety of dining, Broadway-quality shows and quiet places to relax, including The Retreat and The Sanctuary.

LOWS: Too much noise around the main pools and clingy shower curtains in cabins.

BEST FOR: Families, couples, groups of friends; essentially, anybody looking for an elegant, classic big ship experience with contemporary touches rather than gimmicks.

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SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

Encore!

Is it a luxury ship with a race track? Or a contemporary ship with a luxury heart? Bernadette Chua sails Norwegian Encore’s maiden voyage to find out.

Cruisers play Los Banditos in the Galaxy Pavillion.

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SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

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SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

Onda by Scarpetta, here and below.

Right: Kinky Boots.

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W

e are sipping on cocktails in the Observatory Lounge on deck 15. It’s six in the evening and there is a convivial atmosphere in the air. But of course! It’s cocktail hour.

The waiters are serving canapés of vol-au-vents with smoked salmon and crème fraîche and glasses of Champagne are appearing in front of guests at the ornate circular bar. People are lounging on the opulent chaises, some reading books from the extensive library.

It sounds, and feels, like a luxury cruise. Yet just two decks above us, people are donning helmets and racing go-karts at the Encore Speedway, while others in the Galaxy Pavilion are fighting off monsters and escaping dinosaurs in life-like virtual reality games. There are not many ships where you find this melding of styles, tastes and ages.

Welcome to Norwegian Encore. The new sweetheart of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet is the last ship in the Breakaway class and boy, has the line delivered.

She’s more grown up and a lot more sophisticated than other NCL ships. Looking around the atrium, the walkways, the bars, you can see the homage to Norwegian Cruise Line Corporation’s CEO, Frank Del Rio. It’s said that Mr Del Rio was found in his casual wear in the early hours of the morning, personally hanging pieces of art on the company’s luxury line, Regent Seven Seas’ ship Explorer, and in a nod to his love of art, Norwegian Encore is adorned with an extensive collection of modern art. Even the chandeliers and light fixtures are exquisite. The wave-like main light centrepiece in the atrium consists of around 30,000 crystals that reflect different colours when caught in the light.

Harry Sommer, the new president of NCL, said that what you’ll find on Encore, a contemporary ship, is extremely similar to the plushness and luxuriousness of a Regent Seven Seas or Oceania ship.

She’s big – she can accommodate up to 3,900 guests – and she offers a remarkable selection of 29 restaurants and bars. Among those, the most notable new addition is Onda by Scarpetta, an Italian-style eatery which could rival a high-end restaurant in Venice or Rome.

Positioned behind the Mondave Winebar, which is also found on her sister ship Norwegian Bliss, Onda marries the best of fine produce with vino to match.

The menu is offered family style, for greater intimacy when dining with friends. When we stop in for dinner, we enjoy dishes like fresh tuna crudo, rich mushroom ragù with creamy polenta and melt-in-the-mouth short rib. One of our hand-pulled pasta dishes is served with a simple passata and fresh cut basil, the other features

SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

Let us entertain you There’s plenty to keep you amused onboard Encore.

•

NCL is known for its partnership with big Broadway productions, and Norwegian Encore delivers a stellar entertainment line-up, with hit show Kinky Boots as the headline show onboard Kinky Boots tells the story about an unlikely partnership between an entertainer and a factory owner who work through their differences to create something new and unique. Featuring original songs

by Cyndi Lauper, the Broadway hit has won many awards and is still showing on London’s West End and New York’s Broadway.

Norwegian’s original production The Choir of Man debuted on Norwegian Escape and also appears here. It combines high-energy music, dance, live percussion and foot stomping choreography to singalong pub anthems.

More entertainment, which debuted on Norwegian Bliss and will be available on Encore, includes Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical, the interactive cocktails and theatre show, and guest favourite venue, The Cavern Club, which transports audiences back to the legendary Liverpool club with musical performances from a Beatles cover band.

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SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

+ Fact file

CRUISE LINE: Norwegian Cruise Lines VESSEL: Norwegian Encore MAX PASSENGER CAPACITY: 3,998 TOTAL CREW: 2,100 PASSENGER DECKS: 16 ENTERED SERVICE: 2019 FACILITIES: Pools, library, spa, bars, gym, restaurants, The Haven, theatre, kids’ clubs, Speedway, Galaxy Pavilion.

BOOKINGS: ncl.com

+ The verdict

HIGHS: The variety of food and bar options. The Encore Speedway and Galaxy Pavilion are great for kids.

LOWS: Some walkways feel slightly cramped and there is always a line for a mojito at the Sugarcane Bar. BEST FOR: Multigenerational families, and couples who love big ship amenities, but want to escape to The Haven for peace and quiet.

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sweet spot prawns. By now, we’re filled to the brim, but the best is yet to come; giant crumbed veal cutlets and grilled steaks with seasonal vegetables appear in front of us like magic.

The repertoire of the NCL dining options includes the complimentary Taste and Savor restaurants, my favourite places for breakfast. The staff makes a delightful shakshukka – a Turkish dish of baked eggs with tomatoes – and I can’t disclose the embarrassing number of crispy hash browns I consumed on my three-day cruise.

In terms of specialty dining, the popular Teppanyaki makes an appearance, as well as the French Le Bistro and Cagney’s steakhouse. These are great options for guests looking for something outside the inclusive Manhattan Dining Room or The Garden buffet.

The accommodation aboard Encore varies, but the crux of it is that it can cater both for large families and solo travellers.

NCL is the line that pioneered solo and single dedicated accommodation and it shows here; cabins are designed with a larger-than-average single bed and guests have access to a dedicated lounge

area, mixers and cocktail parties for solo travellers, and they will be seated together at dinner where possible.

The ocean-facing cabins are ideal for families with children, with interconnecting cabins so mum and dad can get some reprieve. Balcony staterooms are large and come with ample storage – plenty of hidden drawers, a large closet and lots of shelves – a comfortable king-sized bed, a small seating area and USB ports.

Inevitably though, the best thing about any NCL stateroom is the bathroom. No matter what category of cabin you are in, the bathrooms are extremely spacious; mine boasts not just a large shower, but a double vanity and the winning feature, no plastic shower curtains that stick to various parts of your body when lathering.

The top end of town has The Haven, NCL’s ship-within-a-ship concept. The cabins here are luxurious and spacious.

Accommodation ranges from Spa Suites with private Jacuzzis, which are outside The Haven but give guests access to the amenities of this exclusive area, to The Haven’s Deluxe Owner’s Suites with balconies and private sitting areas. Guests

SHIP REVIEW: NORWEGIAN ENCORE

Galaxy Pavilion Virtually the most fun you can have at sea.

•

Four of us hop into the Jurassic Park Jeep, ready for an adventure back to prehistoric time. We strap in, hold on for dear life, and venture into the park.

Suddenly, we hear the roar of a T-Rex, the most ferocious of all the dinosaurs. The Jeep speeds up, and we feel the vibrations of the dinosaur’s colossal footsteps as he chases after us. We’re screaming and squealing and laughing.

This is just one of the rides in Norwegian Encore’s Galaxy Pavilion for virtual reality games. The area on deck 17 spans over 3,000 square metres and Norwegian has really upped the offerings – it’s virtually arcade games on steroids. As well as the Jurassic Park ride, you can drive a drone race car, fly through a mountain range, fight off zombies in a warehouse that has been invaded or practice your football goal kicking. Cruisers prone to motion sickness will have trouble with some of the rides in the Galaxy Pavilion, but simply closing your eyes will take away the feeling of movement.

Ninety minutes of unlimited play costs US$29, or you can purchase a US$199 unlimited pass that lasts the entire cruise.

of The Haven have access to their own private pool deck with a retractable roof, a stunning sun deck and an extravagant restaurant and bar. Who said lobster and scallops with eggs was too much for breakfast?

The butlers of The Haven, like on any luxury ship, will organise shore excursions and treatments at the Mandara Spa, make dinner reservations or unpack your bags. It is the place to escape from the madness, frivolity and activities, and just unwind.

In stark contrast to The Haven, Encore sees the return of one of the most fun rides I have ever been on at sea – the go-kart track. Another update for the line, the heart-pumping Encore Speedway has a longer racetrack than her sister ship Bliss and was built to hang four metres over the edge of the ship. Behind the racetrack is the laser tag course, built for teamwork and thrills, while on the top deck is the newest activities offering, the Galaxy Pavilion, a new concept with amazing virtual reality rides and games.

Deck 5 is where you’ll find the kids’ clubs. Catering for children aged as young as one year, the areas are large and designed with lots of open spaces. Books and water colours fill the Guppies playroom for toddlers and the teenager area has video games and handball courts to keep them entertained.

For its last hurrah in the Breakaway class, NCL has gone above and beyond to give guests something that everyone can enjoy; this ship deserves an encore.

Left: The Haven Spa Suite. Above: Norwegian Encore at sea.

Below: a cruiser in the Galaxy Pavilion maze.

On the top deck is the newest activities offering, the Galaxy Pavilion.”

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SHIP REVIEW: OCEANIA INSIGNIA

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW Rebecca Bradbury finds out whether the “re-inspiration” of a classic can result in a better-than-new ship.

T

he new-look Martinis lounge aboard Oceania’s Insignia is brighter, smarter and more contemporary, but it retains its persona of a plush private club. The revamped observation lounge Horizons now boasts 270-degree panoramic views without having lost its country club ambience. Miami-based design company Studio DADO has given the interior lighter woods and marble, new carpets, fabrics and wallpaper, and a colour palette of marine-inspired blues and soothing soft greys and silver.

Complementing it all is the carefully curated art collection, most of which has been handpicked by Frank Del Rio, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings, who is said to be an avid art fan with impeccable attention to detail. And there has certainly been no 48

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Above: the Grand Dining Room.

Right: Insignia’s Grand Staircase.

restraint, as around a million dollars was splashed out on the new artworks alone.

So, is Insignia, one of Oceania’s stalwarts, better than new after an amazing refurbishment – or a “re-inspiration”, as they’re calling it?

“The bar that we set was to make the ship better than new,” says Harry Sommer, president international of NCL Holdings.

One of Insignia’s most spectacular changes is the show-stopping Grand Lobby. Framed by intricate railings and balustrades inset with crystal accents, the dramatic, sweeping staircase is now looked over by a dazzling tiered chandelier and, on the wall, a soaring verre églomisé, a mirror-like panel gilded with precious metal.

The abundance of reflective surfaces coupled with a bold contrast of light and dark hues and geometric

SHIP REVIEW: OCEANIA INSIGNIA

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SHIP REVIEW: OCEANIA INSIGNIA patterns recall the glamour of Art Deco and wandering the ship feels like stepping into an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

As for the suites and staterooms, every single one has been completely transformed with lavishly upholstered headboards, bespoke furnishings and conveniences such as new bedside USB ports. Overall, the accommodation now boasts a welcoming, residential feel and this is down to Studio DADO successfully fulfilling the brief to create a home away from home for the guests on Insignia.

The plush Owner’s Suite has a hint of 1930s sophistication about it, with rich high-gloss woodwork, monochrome bed linen and cushions, and polished light fixtures, but it is also an oasis of relaxation, made even better by floor-to-ceiling windows and a sprawling teak terrace.

Standing out for its serene olive accents is the Penthouse Suite, whereas the Veranda and Oceanview Staterooms feature sleek cobalt blue tones. The modern bathrooms bask in the glow of their new lighting, jewellike fixtures and gleaming marble and onyx, with one of the highlights being the bi-folding glass shower doors – not a single shower curtain remains on the ship.

Another major change in the Grand Dining Room is impossible to miss. At the restaurant’s centre now hangs the second of Insignia’s glittering chandeliers, made even more impressive when you discover every one of its crystals was hung by hand.

There’s new artwork here too, and the carpet and upholstery on the chairs have been replaced. It’s a grand place to dine and experience the gourmet cuisine curated by world-renowned chef Jacques Pépin. As part of the line’s OceaniaNEXT initiative, an extensive plant-based menu is now available alongside the usual dishes, in an effort to reflect guests’ evolving palates and heightened focus on wellness.

Every restaurant onboard Insignia is complimentary, and other dining options include the buffet-style Terrace Café, where guests can dine inside or al fresco, and the laid-back Waves Grill, specialising in all-American favourites just a few steps from the swimming pool. More upmarket in feel are Italian eatery Toscana, with its custom-designed Versace china, and high-end steakhouse Polo Grill. Both benefit from an expanse of glorious full-length windows, so panoramic sea views can be enjoyed alongside delicious fare.

Some areas on board were left untouched, which was put down to their timeless appeal. The library, for example, is reminiscent of an old English country manor. Around 2,000 books and periodicals line dark wooden shelves, deep leather armchairs tempt relaxation and a grand marble fireplace sits under a ceiling mural of colourful birds perched on luscious treetops.

The Canyon Ranch Spa is still a haven of relaxation offering a variety of spa treatments. The Pool Deck, crowned with a heated pool, two whirlpool spas and 50

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+ Fact file

CRUISE LINE: Oceania Cruises VESSEL: Insignia MAX PASSENGER CAPACITY: 684 TOTAL CREW: 386 PASSENGER DECKS: 9 ENTERED SERVICE: 1998/ 2014/ 2019 FACILITIES: Swimming pool, library, bars, restaurants, spa.

BOOKINGS: oceaniacruises.com

+ The verdict

HIGHS: Fresh, elegant new decor, including crystal chandeliers.

Great food in all-complimentary dining venues.

LOWS: Extremely high onboard gratuities.

BEST FOR: Couples who like good food and style in an informal setting at a reasonable price.

Clockwise from right: the pool deck; the fitness track; Martinis lounge; a Penthouse Suite.

SHIP REVIEW: OCEANIA INSIGNIA

luxe sun-loungers, makes a great outdoor hangout, while two boutiques, a casino, The Card Room and the Insignia Lounge – a hub of live entertainment – make up the rest of the main indoor spaces.

Injecting more than $145 million into renovating its four Regatta-class ships as part of the fleet-wide OceaniaNEXT initiative, the cruise line aims to retain the intimacy and comfort of the fleet’s popular guest areas while adding a large dose of elegance and a splash of something different along the way; retaining the elements cruise line guests know and love, while making them even better.

Insignia was the first to undergo the re-inspiration treatment, followed by Sirena. Regatta went into its makeover in September after its Alaska season, and Nautica will follow in June 2020 – after all, work of this magnitude can’t be rushed.

Collectively, the four ships will be the proud owners of 12,000 new sofas and chairs, 8,000 new light fixtures, 1,368 new suites and staterooms, and 1,400 new marble bathrooms, with the work of 1,000-plus artisans and craftsmen playing a part in the extensive overhaul.

So, is Insignia better than new? According to Sommer, who was at the ship’s launch 21 years ago, “It looks better today than it did then.” From the magnificent grand lobby to the chic, stylish staterooms, Insignia has undergone a glamorous, elegant transformation that wows.

This story was originally published on Cruise International and was republished here with permission.

At the restaurant’s centre now hangs the second of Insignia’s glittering chandeliers.”

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SHIP REVIEW: STAR CLIPPER

WE ARE SAILING… A sailboat is the perfect way to take an Indonesian holiday, writes Sue Bryant.

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SHIP REVIEW: STAR CLIPPER

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Star Clipper at full sail in Indonesian waters.

he sky is streaked with scarlet as the light fades. As the crew make final preparations for sailing from Bali, we’re gathered in Star Clipper’s al fresco Tropical Bar for a pep talk about the week to come. “Who’s been on a cruise before?” asks cruise director Peter Kissner. Hands shoot up. “Oh dear,” Peter says, shaking his head.

“Forget everything you know about cruising. We don’t have casinos and shopping malls. This is a sailing voyage. We are going to show you the real Indonesia.”

Fine by me. Calm seas and a fair wind are all I ask.

And some family time. I’ve joined the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper with my children, Lauren (21) and Joel (19), and my partner, David. We are to sail 560 nautical miles over the course of a week, north and west to the islands of Madura and Java, looping back across the top of Bali and down the west coast of neighbouring Lombok and its scattered Gili Islands, returning to Benoa.

Captain Sergej Tunikov, a silver fox if ever there was one, struts around the foredeck, gesturing expansively. “Stay sails out! Square sails out!” he cries. Muscled riggers are hauling an impossible assortment of lines, raising 3,400 square metres of sail up the ship’s four masts. The line’s signature sailing music, Vangelis’ 1492: Conquest of Paradise, booms across the deck as we slip out of Benoa port, the ship heeling sharply in a brisk wind.

We size up our fellow passengers. They’re a young-ish and glamorous crowd, mainly American, Canadian and German, with a handful of Australians, ages ranging from families with small kids to 20- and 30-something couples, all the way up to retirees.

I’m relieved to see other young adults on board.

Lauren and Joel quickly buddy up with a Swiss backpacker and a brother and sister from Calgary, both recently graduated.

After a deep sleep, rocked by the waves, we wake to blue skies and day at sea. We sprawl in the big nets strung like giant trampolines either side of the bowsprit.

As a nod to the heritage of clipper ships, the crew lays on nautically themed activities: knot tying, navigation classes and mast-climbing. My kids want to climb the mast so, trying to suppress a life-long horror of heights, I struggle into a harness and pick my way, whimpering, up a rope and metal ladder to the crow’s nest, a tiny platform 20 metres high. Far below, sunbathers lounge

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CRUISE PLUS: INDONESIA

+ Fact file

CRUISE LINE: Star Clippers VESSEL: Star Clipper MAX PASSENGER CAPACITY: 170 TOTAL CREW: 72 PASSENGER DECKS: 4 ENTERED SERVICE: 1992 FACILITIES: Swimming pools, library, main dining room, water sports equipment, bar.

BOOKINGS: starclippers.com

+ The verdict on the warm teak decking, 360 degrees of sparkling ocean stretching to the horizon.

There is little to Giligenteng, our first stop; it’s essentially four fishing villages, strung along a powdery white beach. Indonesian holidaymakers are relaxing under the trees, although nobody was swimming. Bikinis are banned, this being a conservative Muslim spot, but even covered in shorts and T-shirts, we attract attention, one polite young man after another approaching and asking for selfies with Lauren and Joel.

On Java, the fishing port of Probolinggo is the gateway to Mount Bromo, a highly active volcano, 2,329 metres above sea level.

Volcano tourism is big business here. Some 600 jeeps bump thrill-seekers up rutted tracks to the caldera, 16 kilometres across, where ponies ferry those unwilling to walk over a grey expanse of fine dust and grit known as the Sea of Sand. The last stretch is a staircase of 250 steps, straight up the side of the cone. We give the ponies a miss as they look malnourished and stressed, and haul ourselves to the top. Sulphurous gases billow out of the crater. But this is a quiet day; the last big eruption was in 2016. “The local people wouldn’t leave,” says our guide, Udin.

“They were worried about their crops.” I can see why; outside the grey caldera, the fertile, sheer-sided hills are green with garlic, cabbages and potato plants.

Lombok is Bali’s next door neighbour but quite different – quieter, less developed, but strikingly beautiful, with steep mountains, dense rainforest and long ribbons of waterfall. The island has repaired itself quickly from damage sustained in the devastating earthquakes of 2018, which left 500 dead and 220,000 displaced. Around Senggigi Beach, one of the bigger resorts, 54

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there are a few collapsed roofs but most places are open for business.

Our final port of call and my favourite is tiny Gili Sudak, off Lombok’s south west coast, no more than a speck of sand in an aquamarine sea. Roosters scratch in the bush and the beach café does a roaring trade in green coconuts, lopping off the top so we can drink the sweet water through bamboo straws. The crew sets up a beach barbecue and we sit under feathery pine trees, tucking into grilled chicken, spicy ribs and burgers.

We snorkel here off the shore of Gili Kedis, a sandbar fringed by extraordinary corals and absolutely teeming with fish.

Orange and white clownfish bustle around their anemone homes, while brilliant yellow tangs and decorative butterfly fish flit around the coral heads.

Star Clipper isn’t an ultra-luxurious ship but it’s extremely comfortable. The food is excellent, particularly the Indonesian specialities that appear on the menu every day. Our cabin has a porthole, lots of polished wood and brass, a compact bathroom and a comfortable bed. There’s little nightlife, just homespun entertainment in the Tropical Bar, often ending with dancing. The crew show is especially riotous, culminating in cheesy, booze-fuelled dance routines on a packed dance floor, everybody joining in. Otherwise, we play a lot of cards and Lauren and Joel hang out late into the night with their friends, running up my bar bill.

David and I content ourselves with lying on a lounger in the darkness, gazing up through the cat’s cradle of rigging and sails at the Milky Way. “Nothing has ever evoked such emotion in me as the sight of the sails going up and the music,” he tells me. “I can’t believe I danced the Macarena, though.”

HIGHS: The sailing experience; you can’t beat the romance and excitement of a genuine tall ship under full sail.

LOWS: Some of the port choices seemed odd; Lovina Beach, on the north coast of Bali, was too dirty for swimming and in my opinion, should be dropped from the itinerary.

BEST FOR: Anyone looking for a unique and relaxed way to explore Indonesia, with a balance of enjoyable sailing time and gorgeous beaches. The mixed nationalities and ages on board create a happy vibe. Kids old enough to create their own entertainment would love it.

Above: snorkeling at Gili Kedis. Below, cocktails by the pool. Opposite page: lounging in the bowspirit nets.

SHIP REVIEW: STAR CLIPPER

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READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

READERS’ CHOICE 2019 WINNER

passenger

passenger

BEST LUXURY RIVER LINE

BEST LUXURY RIVER LINE

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR

OUTLOOK

The widest view in the whole wide world Your view of the world is about to change—big time. At Avalon, we transformed ordinary river cruise cabins into our one-of-a-kind Open-Air BalconySM, starring cruising’s only bed with a view and the space to take it all in. Pair panoramic scenes with the widest-ranging excursion choices in river cruising for an experience as wide open as the view.

Sail with us and one thing is certain—your outlook has never been brighter.

Visit avalonwaterways.com.au Call 1300 640 154

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A Cunard bellboy.

OUR 2019 WINNERS: A NEW RECORD AND SOME SURPRISES

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he verdict is in, and a new era of Cruise Passenger Readers’ Choice Awards has arrived. As well as another record-breaking number of participants – our 11,451 readers voted an astonishing 286,275 times – we had several new categories, including sustainability and shore excursions, which brought new names to the winners’ rostrum.

So who were the winners in the end? Princess Cruises took out five medals, including best ocean cruise line and best premium. Royal Caribbean and P&O Australia won two each, and there were newcomers’ awards for Viking Ocean Cruises, Hurtigruten and Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

These are the awards that really matter from the jury that counts: you, Australia’s cruise community. They are the largest poll of true cruise passengers in the Southern Hemisphere; more than half our readers have been on more than six cruises, and 30 per cent on 12. More than 85 per cent are planning a cruise in the next 12 months. This year, as every year, we are extremely grateful for your help.

We’d also like to thank Singapore Airlines for their sponsorship of these awards and their ongoing support.

Read on for the full list of results – we’d love to hear what you think. Until next year, happy cruising!

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BEST CRUISE LINE / WINNER PRINCESS CRUISES year in a row, •theForlinethewithfourth the largest fleet

in Australia has taken out this prestigious award, showing Australians’ love for Princess Cruises’ stunning suites, wonderful entertainment and fantastic spa facilities, especially onboard Australia’s Majestic Princess.

Ruby Princess has also arrived in the region and over the next two years the line will also launch Sky and Enchanted Princess, with great new features, including the largest balconies at sea and MedallionClass capabilities. This lets guests use their OceanMedallion to unlock staterooms, order food and drinks from anywhere on the ship, plan shore excursions and more.

It’s also Princess’ dedication to amazing food that made it your favourite line this year. Alongside restaurants from Michelinstarred chefs Richard Chen and Emmanuel Renault, Princess has partnered with Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone in the new venue Share.

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Majestic Princess in Milford Sound.

“We continue to bring a range of stunning ships to Australian shores... offering premium onboard experiences in entertainment, wellness and cuisine... and more diverse itineraries than any other line sailing in the Australasian region.” - Stuart Allison, senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED VIKING OCEAN CRUISES

This is the first year Viking •Ocean Cruises has made an appearance in our Readers’ Choice Awards. The line’s Nordic design and feel, combined with an all-inclusive experience, makes it an emerging favourite among Australian cruisers. Another selling point for Viking Ocean Cruises is that it is a strictly adults-only line.

Viking infinity pool.

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BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE / WINNER SILVERSEA

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The ultra-luxury brand has taken the award for favourite line in the luxury sector for the fourth year in a row.

What has made Silversea the winner of this prestigious category once again is its attention to detail in the service, food, suites, amenities and experiences on and off the ship.

Special mention must be made of the line’s Signature Cruises, focused on opera, ballet or food, and of their dedicated butlers.

Silver Muse, launched in 2017, will be sailing a number of itineraries this wave season between Sydney and New Zealand. Silver Moon, due to be launched in August, will feature a food lab dedicated to the line’s S.A.L.T (Sea And Land Taste) program, new public spaces and expansive, sophisticated suites.

Silver Muse.

“Silversea is delighted to be named Best Luxury Cruise Line again. It is a testament to our amazing crew who work tirelessly to make magic happen on our ships. By pushing the boundaries of luxury by offering the highest levels of service and pioneering innovation throughout our fleet, we’ve retained this highly sought-after title.” - Adam Armstrong, managing director Australia and New Zealand,

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED CRYSTAL CRUISES

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While the line might only have two ocean-going vessels, Crystal Cruises also has a yacht, a small adventure ship and even an airplane. The luxury line recently refurbished both its ships with unique and sophisticated touches to the décor. Crystal is also known for its partnership with Michelinstarred Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and guests can dine at a Nobu outpost onboard Crystal Symphony and Serenity.

Crystal Cruises in Croatia.

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BEST PREMIUM CRUISE LINE / WINNER PRINCESS CRUISES

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It’s one of the most contested categories in the cruise industry and Princess Cruises has once again won Best Premium Cruise Line.

The line epitomises the premium category – great cuisine, higher staff-to-guest ratio, expansive spa amenities and great service, but not at luxury prices. This is why Cruise Passenger readers have overwhelmingly voted for Princess.

There are fine-dining options from Michelin-starred chefs Richard Chen and Emmanuel Renaut, and fabulous spa options – Diamond Princess has the only Japanese themed spa at sea, complete with Japanese bath and bath attendant.

Princess also offers The Sanctuary, a tranquil adultsonly retreat with plush spaces, beverages and spa fare on offer and services like open-air massages in your private cabana.

“Princess has quenched Australians’ thirst for premium ships by sending its largest, latest and greatest to our shores, introducing features never seen before on a local ship.” - Stuart Allison, senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

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The Sanctuary, Princess Cruises.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED CELEBRITY CRUISES

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Celebrity has always been a favourite among premium cruisers. With the refurbishment of Celebrity Millennium, Summit and Equinox, the line is modernising the premium cruise market. Last year we also saw the launch of Celebrity Edge and next year, we’ll meet her newest sister, Celebrity Apex, both equipped with Edge-class features like the magic carpet platform, cool staterooms and public spaces.

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Celebrity Edge Infinite Verandah stateroom.

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BEST FOR SERVICE / WINNER REGENT SEVEN SEAS

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises staff.

This is a new category in this year’s awards, and it was a highly contested one. Every cruise line, no matter what category, offers amazing service but the award has gone to luxury line Regent Seven Seas.

The line is known for its intimate service, especially the butlers that are assigned to each suite to see to your every need, from unpacking your suitcase to shining your shoes. Along with the attendants, they maintain your suite just the way you like it, ensuring a fresh and welcoming home, complete with your favourite pillows and toiletries, is awaiting your return each day.

The direction of the maître d’, the expertise of the chef, the guidance of the sommelier and the attentiveness of the wait staff make each dining experience feel like a special occasion.

The officers pride themselves on providing a safe and smooth voyage and should you desire anything “off the menu”, the concierge staff awaits.

“Regent Seven Seas Cruises is thrilled to have been presented the award for Best Service.

The genuine warm smiles and greetings by staff and crew extend well beyond the chilled glass of Champagne that welcomes guests on board.” - Lisa Pile, vice president, general manager, Australia and New Zealand.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED CUNARD

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The traditional luxury line is well known for its Art Deco interiors, high-tea afternoons and charming Cunard bell boys decked out in their iconic uniforms who famously go above and beyond to provide exceptional service.

Cunard high tea.

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BEST FAMILY CRUISE LINE / WINNER ROYAL CARIBBEAN

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Royal Caribbean’s reimagined ships have made them more family friendly than ever.

Voyager of the Seas, which has returned to Australia after spending time in the Northern Hemisphere, comes with activities to appeal to all ages, including amazing rides and water slides, sports deck, teens club, Adventure Ocean, gym and spa.

An onboard favourite is the Battle for Planet Z laser tag that lets families battle one another in an epic aliens-versus-robots galactic showdown.

Voyager also will have a new nursery program for kids under three and a new teen centre called the Living Room, which has outdoor seating and a play space.

Royal Caribbean ships offer a host of accommodation options including the much-talked-about Ultimate Family Suite aboard Symphony of the Seas. This suite can accommodate up to 11 people and has a slide from the second storey to the bottom floor as well as lots of interactive elements for the kids, like a climbing wall and a Lego station.

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Zip lining on Symphony of the Seas.

“We are proud to bring products to Australia that people love and to be recognised as the best cruise line for families in such a dynamic industry.” - Kathryn Valk, director of marketing and PR.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

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Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend have a special place in our heart thanks to their familyoriented programs. The famous Green Thunder waterslide, the steepest of its kind at sea, has thrilled guests for years. And Carnival Cruise Line’s partnership with Dr Seuss means you can have green eggs and ham for breakfast with the Cat in the Hat.

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The waterpark on Carnival.

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BEST CONTEMPORARY CRUISE LINE / WINNER P&O CRUISES

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Homegrown Australian cruise brand P&O Cruises has, for the third year in a row, taken out the award for Best Contemporary Cruise Line. P&O has invested heavily in modernising its ships for the Australian cruiser and Pacific Explorer, the flagship and sweetheart of the fleet, has some cool Aussie features onboard, including a dedicated gin bar in partnership with Sydneybased distillery Archie Rose, and new concept restaurants from celebrity chefs Luke Mangan and Johnny di Francesco.

Also onboard is the raunchy and risqué show Love Riot from Australian director, producer and choreographer Scott Maidment that combines the best of burlesque with comedy.

Next year, Pacific Adventure will join the fleet, featuring a private area called the Byron Bay Beach Club and a live music venue called the Blue Room.

Pacific Explorer.

“We’re honoured P&O Cruises has been named Best Contemporary Cruise Line in the Cruise Passenger Awards for the fourth year in a row and want to thank readers for their votes. Over the last 12 months we’ve continued to evolve... to offer an even greater variety of food and entertainment.” - Sture Myrmell, president.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED ROYAL CARIBBEAN

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Royal Caribbean food options.

The line with the largest ships in the world came in a very close second. Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative onboard activities such as surf simulator FlowRider, the Aqua Theatre, laser tag arena, zip lines and trapeze school. As for food, Ovation of the Seas alone has 18 eateries, ranging from Jamie Oliver’s Italian to the experiential venue Wonderland.

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BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE / WINNER APT

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One of Australia’s favourite touring brands APT has once again taken out the award for the Best River Cruise Line, thanks to its variety of river cruises through Europe, Asia and Africa.

On the Nile, guests can explore ancient Egypt from the comfort of their ship. In Europe, passengers can cruise on the world’s largest river ship, AmaMagna. In China, a cruise with APT on the Yangtze will take you to see the Three Gorges, while on the Mekong, celebrity chef Luke Nguyen leads food excursions through local markets and teaches guests to make Vietnamese cuisine.

New this year were itineraries on the Douro River in Portugal on the brand new AmaDouro. Guests can watch the rolling hills pass by while soaking in the heated sundeck pool, and take excursions to try local food and wine.

What makes APT stand out from the crowd is its all-inclusive offerings, beautiful and spacious suites and bespoke shore excursions.

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APT’s RV Samatha.

“There is so much effort that goes into creating the best experience for the customer. It is an end-toend experience. We would like to thank all the readers who voted for APT.” - Chris Hall, managing director.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED VIKING RIVER CRUISES

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Like its ocean ships, Viking River Cruises vessels are popular with Australian cruisers. The ships have light-filled staterooms, expansive public spaces and the beautiful Aquavit Terrace. The bright, airy designs are the same across the fleet, which makes return cruisers feel instantly at home. The line offers voyages through Asia, Egypt and Europe.

The Atrium on a Viking River Cruises vessel.

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BEST LUXURY RIVER CRUISE LINE / WINNER AVALON WATERWAYS

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Panorama Suite, Avalon Waterways.

It’s the Australian company’s attention to detail and modern take on luxury river cruising that has seen Avalon Waterways take out the award for Best Luxury River Cruise Line.

Avalon has won awards for its innovative Panorama Suites, with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows. But it’s Avalon’s recent investment in improving its shore offerings and themed cruises which have put it in first place.

Their ethos is that luxury is about having the ability to choose your own holiday. The line now offers cruisers a range of excursions ranging from bespoke culinary experiences to active adventures. The line’s culinary cruises might include a Master of Wine to travel with you for tastings and pairings, while onboard, you may have a French chef share his expertise during a pastry demonstration. More active cruisers might opt to explore destinations by kayak, bicycle or on foot.

“We may not have white gloved luxury but the relaxed luxury that we provide really suits the Australian traveller. Our five-star luxury is unstuffy and we offer good food, service to create a home away from home with a relaxed atmosphere.” - Chris Fundell, director of marketing.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED APT

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The line’s all-inclusive offerings – including free flights with many of their European river cruises – and great onboard service make it a favourite among luxury river cruisers. As well as European rivers, you’ll also find their fleet plying the Yangtze and the Mekong. Many of our readers have said that they feel incredibly pampered on an APT river cruise.

AmaReina in Austria.

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BEST FOR FOOD / WINNER OCEANIA CRUISES

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This is the third year the premium cruise line has won the award for best food. With dedicated culinary journeys, an onboard cooking school, and the godfather of French cuisine, Jacques Pepin, as long-standing culinary director, it’s no wonder Oceania Cruises has won this food award.

The line offers Culinary Discovery Tours on Marina and Riviera that take guests on shore excursions to markets with the ship’s chefs, then back to the onboard Culinary Centre to learn to make local dishes.

Oceania has partnered with magazine Wine Spectator and Moët & Chandon to offer guests an indulgent Dom Perignon pairing degustation dinner. Also new to the line this year is a special plant-based menu, the line’s nod to healthier eating.

World-renowned chef, culinary instructor and author Christophe Berg put together this new menu of 200 wellness-based dishes to be served alongside the line’s more traditional offerings.

“Oceania Cruises is delighted to be voted Best for Food – this truly is testament to the commitment of our staff and world-class culinary offerings.” - Jason Worth, vice president, general manager, Australia and New Zealand.

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Wine pairing on Oceania.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED PRINCESS CRUISES

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While there are some amazing offerings from Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs onboard the Princess fleet, it is the line’s signature food offerings that have been the real crowd pleasers.

Some of our readers’ favourite dining venues include the Crown Grill, which serves some of the best steaks at sea, and Harmony, famous for its Asian duck-based dishes.

Italian food on Princess.

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BEST FOR ENTERTAINMENT / WINNER PRINCESS CRUISES

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Australia’s favourite cruise line has won the award for Best Cruise Line for Entertainment for the fourth year in a row.

Princess partnered with Broadway producer and director Stephen Schwartz to create Magic to Do, a mash-up of songs from his hit musicals, Godspell, Pipin and Wicked. The line also has the show The Voice of the Ocean, a spin-off of the popular television program The Voice; and contemporary performances of opera classics like Time to Say Goodbye from Carmen.

Majestic Princess has Fantastic Journey, a mesmerising theatrical show that combines special effects, high-flying aerialists and drones with catchy musical numbers. Sky and Enchanted Princess are set to have a new show called 5-Skies, a high-tech musical spectacular with digital effects, acrobatics and elaborate costume and set designs.

Performance onboard a Princess ship.

“Thanks to our partnerships with Broadway producers and Grammy winning composers we proudly offer the best entertainment at sea.

Our most recent production sailing Australia, Fantastic Journey, combines rock-concert energy and spectacular aerial performers in our most technologically innovative show ever.” - Stuart Allison, senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

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Priscilla on Norwegian Cruise Line.

While Norwegian Cruise Line only has one ship in Australia, the ships sailing globally have amazing entertainment options onboard. Norwegian Bliss has fantastic shows including the Tony-award winning musical Jersey Boys. Other vessels have Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Rock of Ages.

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BEST FOR ACTIVITIES / WINNER ROYAL CARIBBEAN

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It’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean has been named Best for Activities for the fourth year in a row. It’s not only the line with the world’s largest ships, but also the most innovative activities for the entire family.

On Symphony of the Seas, you’ll find features like a new laser tag arena, ziplines across the Royal Promenade and heart-pumping waterslides.

Australia’s largest ship, Ovation of the Seas, offers the famous surf simulator FlowRider and iFly, where passengers can practice their sky-diving technique.

Voyager of the Seas returned Down Under after a massive face lift. Catering for the family market, she comes decked out with more children’s activities than ever, including the Perfect Storm waterslide duo where guests can race each other down to the bottom of the waterpark.

Royal Caribbean will revamp their fleet to include new rides like the Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungy experience.

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The Perfect Storm waterslide.

“We develop, innovate and deliver the best equipped ships in the industry. We want to make sure that Australia gets the same ship activities and facilities as the rest of the world.” - Mark Rheinbay, sales operations manager.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED P&O CRUISES AUSTRALIA

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Our home-grown family cruise brand is filled with activities so the entire family will be entertained on holiday. P&O guests can try their hand at ziplining across the top deck of the ship, walking the plank or tackling an obstacle course on a Segway at The Edge adventure park. Cruisers can also take part in mixology classes, deck games, karaoke and more.

Deck games on P&O.

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BEST FOR SPA/WELLNESS / WINNER PRINCESS CRUISES

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Staying true to the line’s Come Back New promise, Princess Cruises’ spa and wellness facilities help guests return home refreshed and revitalised.

The onboard Lotus Spa has all the standard spa options, as well as a special aromatherapy thermal suite called The Enclave with a dedicated hydrotherapy pool, therapeutic air jets, and the Hammam, a Turkish-style bath.

Diamond Princess, the line’s Japan-based ship, boasts a Japanese spa. Izumi, modelled on a traditional Japanese onsen, features indoor and outdoor Japanese bathing experiences, including steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs with spectacular ocean views. It is the largest Japanese bath at sea and offers guests a chance to experience a popular Japanese pastime.

The ships also have wonderful salons where ladies can get their hair and nails done, the lads can get their beards trimmed and you can even get your teeth whitened.

A massage at The Sanctuary.

“Our Lotus Spa is award winning; guests can choose from treatments such as aroma stone therapy massages and detoxifying ocean wraps. The Enclave on our royalclass ships is home to Princess’ largest-ever thermal suite and a dramatic hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air.” - Stuart Allison, senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED VIKING OCEAN CRUISES

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A Viking Ocean Cruises sauna.

The thermal suite on Viking Ocean ships is free of charge for all guests, so cruisers can take advantage of the sauna and the sub-zero Snow Grotto.

The combination is based on the traditional Scandinavian health practice of dramatically heating and cooling the body.

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BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE / WINNER PONANT

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There were many luxury lines emerging in the adventure field, this year, but the recipient of our award is the ultra-chic French company Ponant with its fleet of expedition icebreaker ships bound for some of the most remote destinations on Earth in style and sophistication.

Ponant offers voyages to Antarctica with visits to research and former whaling stations and excursions to see wildlife, and cruises to the remote Kimberley region to meet the Indigenous community and see the tidal phenomena at Montgomery Reef.

This year, Ponant launched Le Bougainville and Le Dumontd’Urville, the sister ships to Le Lapérouse, which frequently sails Australia and New Zealand. The ships have underwater lounges, sophisticated suites and fine French cuisine. On the horizon for Ponant is the environmentally friendly Le Commandant-Charcot, the first ship in Ponant’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and electric generators, which will be exploring the polar regions.

C H O I C E

cruıse READERS’ CHOICE passenger

2019

Ponant in Antarctica.

“Ponant brings luxury to expedition cruises because we are focused on enriching our guests’ most memorable experience. Very often we touch their souls and that’s why they come back to us again and again.” - Monique Ponfoort, vice president, Australasia.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED APT

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Australia’s oldest touring company is still one of our favourite adventure brands. Their fleet of lovely small ships cater for only around 100 passengers.

From the plains of the Serengeti to the Norwegian fjordlands, APT offers an intimate and bespoke experience. The company also offers small luxury yacht experiences in the Mediterranean and through the Balkans.

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An APT experience in Canada.

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BEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY / WINNER HURTIGRUTEN

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Roald Amundsen in Antarctica.

This Norwegian line has gone above and beyond in pioneering sustainable options for the future of the cruise industry. This year, Hurtigruten unveiled the first ever hybrid-powered cruise ship. Roald Amundsen, which sails the Norwegian coast, is propelled by electric motors and internal combustion engines, which the line claims will cut fuel consumption by 20 per cent.

Hurtigruten prides itself on the fact that the ship has naturalists, lecturers and a laboratory onboard rather than a casino. The ship also has no single-use plastic and guests can forego having their room cleaned, saving cleaning supplies and water.

Hurtigruten has plans for a series of environmentally friendly vessels. Roald Amundsen’s sister ships, due to be refitted in the coming years, will be even more environmentally conscious – they will run on fuel from dead fish and organic waste. The line has signed a long-term agreement with Norway-based Biokraft to supply climate-neutral liquefied biogas.

“We are honoured to receive this award. Sustainability is at the heart of Hurtigruten, from the world’s first hybrid ship and battery powered snowmobiles in Svalbard to giving back and engaging the communities we visit.” - Joel Victoria, head of marketing.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED ROYAL CARIBBEAN

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Snorkeling with whale sharks with Royal Caribbean.

While they have some of the largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean is working hard to ensure their future fleet is environmentally friendly.

Their new ships will use an air lubrication system for a more fuel-efficient sailing, rely on LED lights which use less energy, and have tinted windows to reduce the use of air conditioning.

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BEST FOR SHORE EXCURSIONS / WINNER PRINCESS CRUISES

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Our readers believe Princess excels in the variety of shore excursions they offer guests. Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions is another new category we added to the list this year, but we believe it’s an important one.

Princess’ work in New Zealand has given new meaning to the phrase “onshore experience”.

Earlier this year, the line revealed new shore excursions as part of the Across the Ditch program of 20 exclusive and immersive experiences, including a starstudded visit to off-grid Great Barrier Island, one of only four Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world.

Princess are also offering more one-of-a-kind experiences in Australia. In Adelaide, food aficionados can go on a food, art and wine experience with a local food celebrity Mark Gleeson, founder of Providore at Adelaide Central Market, while in Broome, passengers step back in time on a guided Aboriginal Narlijia heritage and cultural tour with Broome local Bart Pigram.

C H O I C E

cruıse READERS’ CHOICE passenger

2019

A Dark Sky experience at Great Barrier Island.

“In shore excursions, we have introduced local connections so that passengers can have an amazing experience both on board and on shore.” - Stuart Allison, senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED REGENT SEVEN SEAS

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Regent Seven Seas came in a close second for their bespoke options for shore excursions. In South America, one excursion includes a cooking class followed by an authentic Brazilian lunch. In Vietnam, Regent will take you to a tea plantation where you’ll learn how tea is grown, harvested and used in the cuisine, then dine on delicious vegetarian meals.

Regent Seven Seas guests in Valletta.

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BEST FOR THEME CRUISES / WINNER P&O CRUISES AUSTRALIA

P&O Cruises has won the •category for Best Cruise Line for Theme Cruises thanks to their range of niche sailings.

The annual State of Origin cruise sees footy fans joined onboard by a selection of former Blues and Maroons greats for a jam-packed itinerary of rugbyleague themed activities including Origin trivia, Q&A sessions and photo and autograph opportunities, as well as game viewing parties.

P&O also hosts an annual cruise to the Melbourne Cup and this year, the line celebrated 50 years of sailings to the race that stops the nation with a lineup of fashion, entertainment and culinary experiences.

The line also regularly hosts comedy cruises and will sail to next year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival. As well as stand-up onboard, guests will be treated to an exclusive set at the festival.

A Great Gatsby themed party on a P&O cruise.

“This award reflects our long standing history of delivering short breaks from Australian homeports. In the last 12 months our themed cruises have proved so popular that we introduced some new itineraries, giving guests an even greater choice of miniholiday options.” - Sture Myrmell, president.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED CELEBRITY CRUISES

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A cooking class in France with Celebrity.

Celebrity Cruises also has a range of popular themed sailings. WOD on the Waves is the world’s ultimate fitness cruise, with a combination of workouts, seminars, nutritional education classes and more. For salsa lovers, there is a dedicated cruise, which hosts the world’s top salsa music artists and holds onboard dance lessons.

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BEST FOR CABIN DESIGN / WINNER VIKING OCEAN CRUISES

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in 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has garnered a loyal following. The success of the line is its attention to detail, especially in the design of the interior of the ships.

This year, Viking Ocean Cruises has won the inaugural award for Best Cruise Line for Cabin Design.

If you’ve never experienced a Viking cruise, they are known for their light, bright and airy designs, spacious public areas and Scandinavian-inspired accents.

Viking has put a lot of thought into the design of its cabins and suites. Guests are surrounded by warm pine wood finishes and modern fixtures. There are thoughtful touches in the cabins like extensive closet space, hidden dressing-table facilities and more.

“We’re thrilled Cruise Passenger readers love our staterooms!

We work hard to make the destinations the star of the show, but that feeling when you return to your stateroom after a long day exploring is very special – especially when it looks this good.” - Jane Moggridge, general manager marketing and communications.

A Deluxe Veranda room on a Viking ship.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

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NCL’s newest ships should be recognised for their revolutionary designs. The cabins are spacious and filled with handy amenities like USB ports. On Norwegian Jewel the staterooms have been upgraded with new technology, as well as new carpet, art and furniture. The ship also boasts two new Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites, at nearly 112 square metres with huge balconies, two private jacuzzis and room for up to four guests.

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Norwegian Encore Spa Suite.

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BEST AUSTRALIAN PORT / WINNER SYDNEY

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She’s considered the gateway to cruising in Australia, and her picturesque harbour with iconic landmarks make Sydney the most popular port to cruise to and from.

The closure of George Street to cars has transformed the CBD into a pedestrian haven, filled with high-end shopping, great dining venues and cool architecture.

Beyond the CBD, in inner-city suburbs like Darlinghurst and Surry Hills, you’ll find vintage and design stores for one-off treasures and rooftop bars for afternoon drinks, and to the east, is worldfamous Bondi Beach with its white sand, stunning coastal walk and trendy restaurants.

With two cruise terminals – White Bay and the Overseas Passenger Terminal – Sydney can host a range of cruise ships in all sizes, and the large international and domestic airports make access easy.

Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.

/ HIGHLY COMMENDED BRISBANE

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Coming a close second to Sydney is Brisbane, which has made a huge commitment to the cruise industry.

Next year will see the opening of Brisbane’s international cruise terminal, which will be deep enough to accommodate even Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships. Pacific Explorer and Carnival Legend will homeport there.

This is Australia’s fastest growing capital city, with new developments transforming the skyline and CBD. Brisbane hosts an impressive range of music festivals, food events and big sporting contests, and thanks to its tropical climate, the city is a mecca for outdoor types.

Brisbane also makes a great base for trips to the Gold Coast and inland attractions such as the Scenic Rim and Somerset.

Brisbane’s city skyline.

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BEST TRAVEL AGENT / WINNER FLIGHT CENTRE

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This year, for the second time, Flight Centre has won the hearts of Cruise Passenger readers for the outstanding expertise of its members and has been awarded Best Travel Agent.

Flight Centre’s clients have spent more than 50,000 nights at sea and its experts are also passionate cruisers, so they really know their stuff. They’ve been all around the world on different ships, itineraries and cruise lines so they really know their cruise.

The company has been working hard to highlight its cruise credentials in the rapidly growing sector. Flight Centre credits its in-store sales staff, who use their cruise expertise for customers’ benefit.

Another reason for its success is the vast range of suppliers that it works proactively with.

During the past few years, Flight Centre has cemented its relationships with key partners in all segments of the industry. This ensures our readers have access to a world-class product range at the best possible prices.

cruıse READERS’ CHOICE passenger

2019

“At Flight Centre, we’re absolutely thrilled to be recognised as Best Cruise Travel Agent by the Readers of Cruise Passenger magazine.

This award truly reflects the hard work, expertise, and dedication to the customer’s experience that our Travel Consultants have.” - Chris Neill, product leader, NSW/ACT.

Santorini

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JUDGES AWARD FOR EMERGING CRUISE LINE / WINNER CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

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CMV’s Vasco da Gama.

While Cruise & Maritime Voyages is not a new brand to European cruisers, up until a few years ago, very few Aussies had heard of the company. But the cruise line has become a force to be reckoned with in the Australian market, offering voyages from Perth, Adelaide and Sydney.

This year, the company celebrated ten years of global operations and in that decade, has become known for its relaxed, convivial ambience, exacting standards, and high levels of attentive personal service aboard each of its small to mid-sized ships, reflected by a customer satisfaction rating of 95 per cent.

Nosing into smaller harbours off-limits to bigger ships, CMV offers a range of exciting itineraries around Australia and further afield. The newest addition to the fleet is the 1,220 guest Vasco da Gama which mark’s CMV’s largest Australians deployment yet. Vasco da Gama has two gorgeous pools, a state-of-the-art Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, six dining venues, a two-tiered theatre, five bars and lounges, and a range of accommodation options, including 40 solo traveller cabins.

“We have been working hard on growing our fleet – we now have six small and medium-sized ships.

Cruisers want more intimate ships as they do not want to queue.” Dean Brazier, managing director.

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CruisePlus Experiences, food and wellness on your travels

INSIDE

Rail and sail 80

Rocky Mountaineer 84

Capella Ubud 90

Food 94

Luxe train journeys 82

Mindful cruising 88

Fly cruise 92

Last Word 102

82 90

92 94

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CRUISE PLUS: RAIL & SAIL

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All hail The rail and sail combined holiday is having a moment – and with good reason.

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he allure of a combined holiday lies in having two very different experiences in just one trip. The classic combination is a rail and sail journey, a nod to the golden age of luxury travel.

And with the wealth of combinations available today all around the world, it’s still a wonderful way to holiday.

There’s something utterly charming about train journeys.

They can take you where cars and buses cannot, and let you relax and take in the scenery while being served a meal directly to your seat. Many popular train

routes also offer a sense of tradition and hospitality that has long been absent from other modes of transport.

Cruises make natural bedfellows to train journeys, as they are similar in terms of the opportunities for relaxation while seeing the world, and they share an emphasis on hospitality, as well as the appeal of unpacking only once.

Combining the two for a rail and sail holiday lets you explore coastlines and inland regions of almost every corner of the world, while enjoying all the thoughtful service and luxury of the travel of days gone by.

ADVERTORIAL

Rail and sail journeys are the perfect way to explore areas like Canada and Alaska.

LISA’S RAIL & SAIL TIPS Flight Centre Cruise Expert Lisa Chow shares her top tips for choosing the perfect combination holiday.

Why is rail and sail so popular?

A rail and sail holiday is a great way to see the world.

Cruising allows you to see the famous ports of call by sea or river, and rail allows you to cover longer and larger distances on land. They complement each other as it enables you to see more of one destination and really immerse yourself in everything that country has to offer.

Rail-and-sail itineraries means you are more relaxed and can spend more time exploring the sights.

Where are the best places for a rail-and-sail holiday?

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer rail journey with an Alaskan cruise is one of the iconic combinations. Some others include the Trans Andean Railway with a Galapagos cruise, a trip from Memphis to New Orleans with Amtrak linked to a Caribbean cruise, and Oslo to Bergen on the Begensbanen with a Norway cruise. In our own backyard, we have The Ghan or Indian Pacific rail journeys, which you can link to a cruise out of Fremantle, Sydney, Adelaide or Darwin.

Tell us about your favourite rail-and-sail experience?

My favourite so far was the Rocky Mountaineer followed by an Inside Passage cruise; the landscape was so different on both styles of travel. The rail journey took me through the beautiful Canadian Rockies, and the cruise then took me to parts of Alaska that are difficult to access by road.

What train is best for a luxurious journey?

A Rovos Rail journey in Africa would be my pick.

I haven’t had the pleasure of doing this yet but it’s on the bucket list. This is like a hotel on tracks – everything is luxurious and beautifully furnished.

The public areas look inviting and comfortable, and I can’t think of a better way to see the different landscapes of Africa than on this train journey.

Cruise Expert Lisa Chow is based at Flight Centre Castlecrag, NSW. Visit flightcentre.com.au or call our dedicated cruise line on 13 70 79.

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The right track Rail journeys are imbued with romance, adventure and luxury, finds Teresa Ooi.

F

orget the queues, crowds and rush at airports.

Instead, sit back and enjoy a holiday on rail where traffic jams are swapped for stunning scenery and cramped airlines seats are exchanged for a luxurious carriage.

This is the art of train journeys. Historically, trains were an essential mode of transport. These days many overlook the idea of the slow meander of a rail holiday, but for those who want to experience beautiful scenery or enjoy a book as they rumble through the countryside, there is an array of luxury train journeys. Guests can enjoy dinner à la Agatha Christie (minus the murder), with five-star cuisine served by white-gloved waiters in the Art Deco dining cart, or perhaps spot cherry blossoms from a comfortable seat on a modern and sleek Japanese train.

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The Blue Train

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The Blue Train, which has hosted singer Kylie Minogue, actress Mia Farrow and the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, is one of the most opulent rail journeys in the world, a 30-hour, 1600 kilometre journey through South Africa’s diverse and spectacular scenery from Pretoria to Cape Town. The Blue Train also travels the 19 hours to Hoedspruit on the western edge Kruger National Park, one of the world’s finest game parks and home to Africa’s Big Five.

This offers a fantastic rail-safari option that lets guests add on a stay at private safari lodges in the Greater Kruger and Sabi Sabi areas. The train cabins have under-floor heating, opulent marble and gold-fitted bathrooms, and goose-down bedding.

Obviously, there are butlers on call to tend to your needs 24/7.

CRUISE PLUS: RAIL & SAIL

The Hogwarts Express

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express

Harry Potter fans can indulge their ultimate fantasy by taking a ride on the famous steam train The Jacobite, aka the Hogwarts Express.

The Jacobite steam train runs along what many consider the greatest railway journey in the world. Here you can discover the Scottish Highlands, learn about the history of the Jacobites and enjoy Scottish seafood on the west coast at Mallaig. The train journey passes Loch Ness, Ben Nevis and other natural wonders of Scotland, including the deepest freshwater loch, Loch Morar, and Glen Coe, used in Harry Potter films for the location of Hagrid’s hut overlooking Torren Lochan. Your land excursions include a stop at Loch Ness to go Nessie hunting and you’ll cross Glenfinnan Viaduct, best known for the iconic shot of the Hogwarts Express racing through the countryside.

The setting of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery Murder on the Orient Express, this journey was one of the most decadent holiday experiences of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the train still gently rolls by some of Europe’s most majestic scenery and cities, including London, Paris, Budapest, Berlin, Verona and Venice. The cars on this train are all originals from the 1920s that have been restored for modern tastes. The grand suites are the height of luxury; each has a double or twin bedroom with a living area for private fine dining and a sofa which converts into an additional bed, as well as an ensuite with all the fixings. Complimentary Champagne is on tap and guests are expected to dress for dinner, in keeping with the characters from Christie’s novel.

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The Maharajas’ Express

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This luxury train journey explores colourful India with 14 carriages that accommodate a maximum of 88 passengers. Life on board is all about grandeur, harking back to the days of the Maharajas with butlers in attendance. Cabins are decked out in rich tapestry with each carriage named after a famous gemstone of the Maharajas. The top Presidential suite, Navratna, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living room, and can accommodate four guests. There are two restaurant carriages – Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal – where guests can enjoy fine Indian cuisine served on gold edged plates and Swarovski hand-cut glasses.

Guests can arrange activities such as astrology lessons and Bollywood dancing classes.

Seven Stars in Kyushu

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With typical Japanese attention to detail, every aspect of the purpose-built Seven Stars in Kyushu is immaculate; polished floors, brass fittings, wood-panelled walls and engraved glass doors for a modern reimagining of traditional Japanese decor, with the latest in advanced technology. The super-luxury train travels across the amazing landscapes of Kyushu, known for its volcanic hot springs and national parks. Food is brought onto the train by chefs each day, presenting the freshest ingredients from the countryside and sea in multi-course Japanese feasts.

There are only 12 spacious suites, each with a sitting room and bathroom with a Japanese electronic toilet. cruisepassenger.com.au

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CRUISE PLUS: RAIL & SAIL

Oh, Canada The luxe Rocky Mountaineer is the best way to explore the awe-inspring western reaches of the country, writes Hannah Warren.

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he untamed and wild landscapes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are bursting with wildlife – bears, bald eagles, wolves, moose and elk all make their homes in this part of the world.

We’re making ourselves at home too, but in comfortable seats on Canada’s most famous train rather than out in nature.

The Rocky Mountaineer is taking us from the west, where the ocean meets the mountains, eastwards across the country to the small town of Banff, Alberta.

Over the next two days, we will travel through western Canada’s national parks, past towering mountains, turquoise lakes and charming towns. After two days being impressed by the harbour city of Vancouver, we have high expectations.

On our grey first morning – standard for Vancouver, we’re told, but we can expect it to clear – we are transferred to the train station from the hotel we stayed at last night as part of our package.

We are travelling on the First Passage to the West journey, the most popular route offered by the Rocky Mountaineer. Our seats in the GoldLeaf Service are plush and fully reclinable, like a first class airplane seat. It’s tempting to lie back and have a long nap, but we don’t want to miss a second of this journey.

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Luckily for us, the glass-dome style design of the GoldLeaf carriage means we have an amazing view in every direction. It’s incredible to watch the scenery change as we head away from the Pacific Coast, rumbling from the lush green fields through to forests and winding river canyons dwarfed by craggy peaks, and the surprisingly desert-like environment of this part of the province.

Breakfast and lunch are included and, because we’re travelling in GoldLeaf, are served in the dining room in the lower level of our carriage. The food is astonishingly good for train fare, fresh, tasty and elegantly presented. All our drinks are included and we take advantage to try a few local wines and craft beers.

The charming hosts bring drinks and snacks to our seats too, which makes for a supremely relaxing afternoon.

Before we pull into Kamloops, a pretty riverside town, the hosts walk through the carriage to hand out our room keys, so we can skip the reception desk on arrival at our hotel. We have the evening to explore, and we have a meal with a cheery English couple we’d met on the train.

The next day follows the same pattern; a seamless transfer, breakfast with a view and personable hosts pointing out

landmarks as we traverse vast farmland, rocky lakeshores and vertigo-inducing mountain passes. They call our attention to the site of the final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway, dramatic Kicking Horse Canyon, and a few wildlife spots so good they seem planted.

The highlight, however, is the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the majestic Rocky Mountains, and we spend a long time in the outdoor viewing platform staring at them and breathing the intensely fresh air.

Our journey ends in Banff, a charismatic town in the heart of the national park of the same name, with a night at the luxurious and historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

The rest of Canada awaits, but there’s no doubt the Rocky Mountaineer will hold a special place in our memories.

CRUISE PLUS: RAIL & SAIL

The Rocky Mountaineer offers unparalleled views of western Canada and its wildlife, accompanied by fabulous service and warm hospitality.

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CRUISE PLUS: BALI

CRUISE THE CANADIAN ROCKIES.

Prepare to be amazed as you travel through a landscape beyond your wildest dreams.

Onboard our luxury train, you’ll dine on beautifully prepared meals, meet people from all over the world and take in all the sights Mother Nature has to offer. Go from one awe-inspiring journey to the next by pairing your Rocky Mountaineer journey with an Alaska cruise. Choose from a selection of rail and cruise itineraries designed by Rocky Mountaineer, or add a rail package to any Alaska cruise departing from Vancouver, Canada.

CALL 1.800.821.531, VISIT ROCKYMOUNTAINEER.COM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT. 86

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Perfect for a cruise in the Med or the South Pacific, these Aussie-designed Tesalate towels are compact, light and fast drying, in a range of colourful designs. Best of all, they’re designed to let sand slip off easily so you don’t carry the beach back to the ship.

We are giving away three Tesalate towels to one lucky new subscriber of Cruise Passenger. For your chance to win, go to cruisepassenger.com.au/magazine, subscribe to Cruise Passenger and tell us in 25 words or less where your favourite beach is.

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CRUISE PLUS: WELLBEING

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cruise ship probably isn’t where you expect to find your zen, especially when surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of other passengers. It’s surprising, then, to see the trend of mindful cruising taking off for some of the world’s elite lines.

Here’s a look at the companies now caring for your mental wellbeing while you cruise.

/ Seabourn Cruise Line’s wellness program with Dr. Andrew Weil In January, Seabourn introduced a mindful living program in partnership with the line’s onboard Spa, OneSpaWorld by Steiner, and integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Andrew Weil. The programming is executed by a designated mindful living coach who leads complimentary classes such as daily yoga and meditation sessions, seminars and events inspired by topics from Weil’s teachings, like mindful meditation and anti-ageing.

Guests can even sign up to sail with Weil himself on an annual voyage, during which he personally hosts lectures and group discussions.

Other features of the program include a holistic spa and wellness experience, which includes unique optional treatments such as acupuncture and a crystal sound bath, to integrate physical, social, environmental and spiritual wellbeing. / Celebrity Cruises’ Mindful Dreams program Contemporary line Celebrity Cruises offers a fleetwide Mindful Dreams wellness program in partnership with their spa provider, Canyon Ranch. The program encompasses a selection of spa treatments, instructional classes, and

expert-led lectures on achieving more restful sleep patterns both onboard and back home.

Mindful Dreams builds on the line’s continued expansion into the wellness realm; in 2015, they also launched a small portfolio of Wellness Rituals excursions, focused on fitness, nutrition, spa and spiritual experiences ashore, like a rainforest yoga outing in Costa Rica. Onboard, find extensive wellness-based activities such as yoga, mindfulness classes and reflexology. / Oceania Cruises’ wellness tours and vegan menus Oceania offers a portfolio of Mediterraneanbased mindfulness tours ashore. Highlight excursion options include private yoga sessions overlooking the bay in Monte Carlo, or laughterimmersion workshops at a farmhouse set in the heart of Costa Brava, Spain.

To round out the integrated wellness experience on board, cruisers can sign up for a suggested spa pairing at the top-rated Canyon Ranch SpaClub, tuck into a brand-new menu of vegan options and raw juices or sign up for one of the yoga, Pilates, or indoor cycling classes, which are free for guests. / UnCruise Adventures’ holistic wellnessthemed cruises Small-ship adventure cruise line UnCruise Adventures has a handful of holistic wellnessthemed voyages on sailings to Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama or Alaska. Onboard, guests can tap into the expertise of special guest hosts (including personal trainers, nutritionists, skincare experts and yogis) with programming and cuisine focused on fitness, nutrition and

The MINDFUL CRUISER

The latest theme in onboard spas is mindfulness appreciating the moment. Rose Jacobs takes some deeps breaths and finds out why.

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CRUISE PLUS: WELLBEING

overall wellbeing. In port, a roster of lively excursions designed with active lifestyles in mind awaits; choose from hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. / Lindblad Expeditions’ partnership with Exhale Spa For a quick hit of zen, look to Lindblad Expeditions’ new four-night Exploration, Transformation, Mindfulness voyages to the isles of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird.

The mini-sailings – designed as an antidote to the hectic holiday season in December and January – have been developed in partnership with the Exhale Spa brand. Activities include morning power yoga on deck, afternoon guided hikes, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling outings, and a Core Fusion beach boot camp. Round out the day with on-deck massages and guided meditation classes, and as a bonus, you can fuel up on an expanded healthy menu. / Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ wellness tours Regent Seven Seas has introduced a new line of Seven Seas Wellness tours, available in 10 Mediterranean ports. Offered exclusively aboard Seven Seas Voyager, guests can pair shore excursions, such as a visit to hydrothermal pools in Sorrento, Italy, or tai chi sessions in palace gardens in Marseille, France, with one of five complimentary 50-minute spa services onboard.

Also of note: Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer features an industry-first en-suite spa retreat in its top-level Regent Suite, complete with a sauna, heated ceramic loungers, and unlimited in-room spa treatments from Canyon Ranch.

It’s surprising to see the trend of mindful cruising taking off for some of the world’s elite lines.”

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CRUISE PLUS: HOTEL REVIEW

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rmed with walking sticks, my travel partner and I are about to embark on a journey through the forests of Ubud in Bali, much like the Dutch colonists who settled in Indonesia in the 1800s.

Our culturalist, Okta wishes us a safe trip to our tent.

“Get ready for your adventure,” he says, and down the winding path we go, jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone, past rice fields where the cocks crow, as the distant wailing and cries from a Balinese funeral procession fill the valley.

This place is something special. Nestled in dense rainforest beside the sacred Wos River, the lavish Capella Ubud in Bali was designed by award-winning architect and Baliphile Bill Bensley. The site wasn’t originally intended to be a hotel; the land was purchased by steel magnate Suwito Dunawan to house his impressive art collection, but he decided it was so special it needed to be shared with the world.

Designed to leave as little a footprint as possible, not a single tree was taken down in the construction of the resort. As a result, you’ll find that all the tents – from the main dining area called Mads Lange after the Dutch explorer to the Officer’s Tent where afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails are served – are positioned randomly around the four-hectare property.

On arrival, we are equipped with a survival kit that contains rain ponchos, organic mosquito repellant and earplugs to block out the sounds of crickets and roosters in the morning.

At the entrace to the Farmer’s Tent, our home for the next two nights, are ornately carved double doors that open into the kitsch space. It is beautifully equipped with a comfortable Chinese four-poster bed and a sitting area that boasts a leather lounge and armchair, as well as a cowhide-covered bar filled with top-shelf liquor and complimentary Bintangs and wine.

In typical Cappella fashion, every detail has been carefully considered and it’s the little touches that make the experience unique. I’m told that each of the 23

Camp Ubud

This luxury accommodation is an adventure all of its own, finds Bernadette Chua.

In typical Cappella fashion, every detail has been carefully considered.”

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Clockwise from main: a river tent exterior; a terrace tent saltwater pool; Api Jiwa chefs at work; a tent sitting area.

different tents is decorated with artifacts representing the occupation of early 1800s campers it is named for; the walls of the Farmer’s Tent, for example, are decorated with coloured rice paddy hats, the Cartographer’s Tent features old maps of the region. But the most amusing part of our accommodation is the throne-like toilet.

With a high wooden carved back, deer antlers adorning the top and a leather lid, the toilet is as much of a focal point in the tent as any of the other features, but its prominent location might be a bit much for shyer guests.

Days are spent by The Cistern, an above-ground saltwater pool with giant faucets that continuously fill the 40-tonne pool. Guests can relax on the sun loungers that overlook the valley, or play rounds of pool in the Officer’s Tent. There are no televisions anywhere on the grounds but the tents are filled with books and board games so guests can pass the days.

Part of the Capella experience is understanding and appreciating Balinese life; guests can take dawn hikes to the top of Mount Batur to watch the sunrise, embark on a coffee-making experience, or take a helicopter ride over the island. Bali is known for its exquisite handicrafts so our choice is the Artists’ Trail, a day tour that takes us to a painting school in the artists village of Keliki and to meet a traditional wayan mask maker where we try our hand at painting and mask carving.

Our lunch during the Artists’ Trail is served picnic style, a full Balinese spread with satay and local curries laid out for us to enjoy as we watch children learn the intricacies of the village’s painting style.

Capella offers several other dining experiences. The main dining tent is split into two levels; upstairs, Mads Lange serves Western options as well as traditional Indonesian and Balinese dishes. Downstairs, Api Jiwa is a chef’s table style that offers an omakase dining experience, fusing the best Balinese produce with Japanese cooking styles. We feast on chicken hearts, local oysters and grilled Balinese river prawns, paired with unusual but delightful cocktails. After dinner, the staff offer hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire.

The Island of the Gods is one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations and filled with brilliant five-star hotels and resorts. But a stay at Capella Ubud is more than that, it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Prices start at $1,300 per night. See capellahotels.com. cruisepassenger.com.au

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CRUISE PLUS: FLY CRUISE

FLY-CRUISE FAVOURITES More Australian cruisers than ever are taking to the skies; here are our favourite destinations around the world.

A

ustralians’ love affair with cruising continues unabated, and now many have tried the local options, more cruisers are venturing further afield.

The fly-cruise holiday, featuring pre-and post-cruise activities in the destination region, is a tempting option.

Europe and the Mediterranean remain the most popular long-haul destinations, followed closely by Southeast Asia and, more recently, Alaska.

Singapore Airlines has always been a favourite for these fabulous journeys, as it comes with the chance to stop over in Singapore – one of Australia’s favourite destinations.

Here’s our pocket guide to Australia’s favourite fly-cruise cities – all serviced by Singapore Airlines.

AMSTERDAM

•

The petite city of Amsterdam has narrow canalside lanes, flower stalls filled with colourful tulips in a variety of hues, creative drinking and dining venues, and wonderful vintage and design shopping. Strolling the cobbled streets provides endless amusement and people watching, and there are excellent art and culture museums to feed your soul.

Many river cruise lines start their trans-Europe Rhine cruises in Amsterdam to end in Basel, Switzerland, calling at ports including Cologne, Koblenz, Maine, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Breisach.

River lines: Avalon Waterways, APT, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, Uniworld, Riviera and Crystal.

Flights: Singapore Airlines flies to Amsterdam daily from Singapore.

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Right: Frankfurt on the River Main.

Above right: Singapore crab is a popular meal.

FRANKFURT

•

While it is a financial metropolis of gleaming glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers, at its heart, Frankfurt is a traditional and charming city with half-timbered buildings, apple-wine taverns serving hearty regional food and village-like neighbourhoods with outdoor cafes, street art and beautiful parks. Its nightlife is non-stop fun thanks to a big student population.

Frankfurt is a popular departure point for short riverboat day cruises and excursions. You can see the best of the Rhine on a full-day cruise from Frankfurt, which often includes a wine-tasting session amid stunning scenery. The cruise excursion season is from April to October when day-trip cruises depart daily on the Main River.

River lines: Various local cruise lines run day trips from Frankfurt.

Flights: Singapore Airlines flies to Frankfurt twice daily from Singapore.

SINGAPORE

•

Capitalising on the growing popularity of holidays at sea, Singapore has positioned itself as a vibrant cruise hub with two cruise terminals, Marina Bay Cruise Centre and Singapore Cruise Centre, and increasing numbers of homeported ships and itineraries. Locals and most Asian visitors prefer going on short cruises of four to six nights to Asian destinations, but the Lion City is also a starting point for visitors looking for

CRUISE PLUS: FLY CRUISE

golden temples. But as well as a destination in its own right, Bangkok is a popular cruise port. Many international lines use it as a gateway to other Asian destinations, or as a stop on longer cruises.

Ocean lines: Cruise & Maritime Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.

Flights: Singapore Airlines flies to Bangkok six times daily from Singapore.

SEATTLE

• longer trips around Asia and Europe.

Singaporeans have two favourite pastimes, eating and shopping, and visitors join in with gusto. Food, in particular, is taken seriously, with everything from hawker fare to Michelin-starred fine dining available.

Ocean lines: Cruise & Maritime Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Royal Caribbean, Viking Ocean Cruises, Azamara, Genting, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Ponant.

Flights: Singapore Airlines flies from Australia to Singapore 130 times a week operating from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

BANGKOK

•

More than 20 million travellers visit bustling Bangkok every year. The city’s frenetic streets are home to some of the best food in the world, pumping bars, maze-like markets and grand,

Clockwise from top: Amsterdam’s pretty canalside streets; Seattle’s Space Needle; a Yaksha guarding a Bangkok temple.

Seattle is an effortlessly cool city, with a skyline defined by the Space Needle, a flying-saucer like observation tower that attracts more than a million visitors a year. It is also blessed with lush forests and parklands for outdoor adventures, and a world-class food and coffee scene.

Seattle is a major embarkation point for cruises to Alaska, one of our most popular cruise destinations; more than 37,000 Australians took a cruise to Alaska last year.

Ocean lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Azamara, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Flights: A newly added route to the network, Singapore Airlines flies to Seattle four times a week from Singapore. cruisepassenger.com.au

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FARM TO TABLE

Luxury ingredients are served with a side of sustainability at all the best onboard dining rooms now, writes Vanessa Wu.

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ruise lines are adding sustainability to their menus and creating luxury dining experiences that don’t hurt the planet.

They are sourcing produce from sustainable and local farms, which is helping to reduce their carbon footprint by ensuring the food doesn’t have to travel far to reach your dining room table.

Sourcing ingredients in this way also benefits local producers, economies and communities, meaning cruise ship visits are giving back to their destinations.

When necessary ingredients aren’t available locally, lines are increasingly seeking out sustainable suppliers further afield.

We explore the luxury ingredients in the larders of top cruise chefs.

and season, but it can include steaks and chops from California and Pennsylvania and lobster from Bedford, Nova Scotia.

The line also serves sustainable caviar from Californian producer Sterling onboard. The caviar is harvested from native white sturgeon that are raised in carefully controlled conditions to produce firm, richly flavoured eggs that Sterling salts and ages to attain its signature buttery texture and flavour.

/ Regent Seven Seas

/ Viking Ocean Cruises

Regent Seven Seas always purchases bush tucker ingredients when it arrives in local waters to prepare special dishes on board.

Guests are introduced to native ingredients like bush tomatoes, Davidson plums, lemon aspen fruit, munthari berry, wild limes and bunya bunya nuts in dishes such as the rolled wattleseed pavlova with rosella confit created by Australian guest chef and native food expert, Vic Cherikoff. They also stock up on local produce like Tasmanian salmon and cheeses, Morton Bay bugs, crocodile fillet, kangaroo meat, emu, barramundi, mussels, fruits and vegetables.

The line offers a regionally inspired menu enhanced with locally sourced ingredients in their main dining venue The Restaurant. In Australia, that means ingredients like North Queensland barramundi, Hervey Bay scallops and even New Zealand monkfish. Viking Cruises also hosts an interactive dinner experience where the chef takes guests to purchase fresh produce and interact with local producers in preparation for the cooking class and dinner party that follows.

More plant-based cuisine, sourcing sustainably and reducing food waste.”

improve the line’s sustainability efforts along the company’s entire food value chain. This includes expanding their menus with more plant-based cuisine, sourcing sustainably and reducing food waste. The line calls their galley “Norway’s coastal kitchen” when cruising their homeland, as the food they serve almost entirely includes produce found on the Norwegian coast, including the fresh seafood, eggs, poultry, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. When their ships arrive in Kirkenes in the far north of the country, they also get a special delivery of live king crabs. The crabs are all marked with QR codes so they know when each crab was caught, who caught it and on what fishing boat, and guests can choose their own crab for the chefs to cook. The line also works with Flowfood, a company from Norway that makes “mince” from peas, Norwegian root vegetables, oats and seaweed.

/ Silversea Sustainable Ars Italica Oscietra caviar is complimentary and available all day on Silversea for guests to enjoy with chilled champagne in their suites. It is also offered by the tin and as a garnish for tartare and lobster meals. The caviar hails from northern Italy where Ars Italica uses sustainable techniques to farm the eggs and support the local sturgeon population.

/ Hurtigruten / Oceania Cruises The line schedules provisioning from major cities to ensure a constant supply of fresh, local food. They source fresh seafood from a mix of local and US suppliers; Australian seafood on their menus include oysters from Eden and prawns, crab and lobsters from Cairns.

Australian lamb is also a highlight on onboard menus.

/ Seabourn On Seabourn, restaurants such as The Grill by Thomas Keller aim to use highquality local ingredients wherever possible. This depends on the itinerary

The pioneer in sustainable expeditions is bringing their ethos into the galley by partnering with EAT Foundation to

Opposite page: Moreton Bay bugs on Regent Seven Seas.

Right: Australian finger limes.

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ADVERTORIAL

LOW

ROCK the BOAT Australia’s hottest music cruise is back, celebrating a decade of rock at sea.

T

he biggest rock festival at sea returns next year, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Choose Your Cruise’s Rock the Boat 2020 cruise boasts the largest line up of acts from around the world.

Back by popular demand, American rock legend Suzi Quatro will be headlining for a second consecutive year.

Joining Suzi on board is Noiseworks and INXS frontman Jon Stevens, Adam Thompson of Chocolate Starfish presenting Bohemian Rhapsody live in concert, Russell Morris, Ross Wilson and The Radiators – all Rock the Boat fan favourites over the years.

These rock stars will be performing at a range of venues throughout the ship

including the Aurora Theatre, The Colony Club and the Schooner Bar – you’ll be surrounded by music at every turn.

As well as enjoying performances, fans can get photos with their favourite musicians, rockers onboard can get involved in some late-night jam sessions at the Schooner Bar and there are plenty of themed nights, including ’70s & ’80s Rock Gods, School’s Out and When I Grow Up. For the very first time, there will also be exclusive guitar workshops hosted by the artists. Whether you’re a seasoned guitar player or want to learn a new skill, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars.

The cruise will take place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas which has been home to the rocking festival for the last five years. The seven-night South Pacific cruise departs on November 24, 2020, out of Radiance’s new home, Brisbane.

Rock the Boat 2020 is selling fast with all inside cabins already sold out. Oceanview staterooms start from $3,549 pp twin share.

Visit chooseyourcruise.com.au to book.

7 NIGHT CRUISE ABOARD RADIANCE OF THE SEAS DEPARTING BRISBANE VISITING ISLE OF PINES & NOUMEA

E

Y r In

JON STEVENS RUSSELL MORRIS • ROSS WILSON ADAM THOMPSON: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

P in

E

PLUS MANY MORE! OVER 30 ARTISTS ON BOARD

24TH NOV - 1ST DEC 2020

Cruise includes all main meals+, entertainment and gratuities.

INTERIOR

OCEANVIEW FROM

BALCONY FROM

SOLD OUT

$3,549PP*

$4,199PP*

For further enquiries contact

Call: 1300 247 371 Visit: www.chooseyourcruise.com.au Email: enquiries@chooseyourcruise.tv

*Prices are per person, cruise only, in AUD, based on lowest available twin share accommodation in the specified categories, inclusive of all savings/discounts, port and government charges and onboard gratuities (excluding onboard purchases), correct as at 18 October 2019. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to change and availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. +Excludes specialty restaurants. 50% deposit is required within 7 days of booking. Some staterooms may have an obstructed view. Single supplements may apply for solo travellers. Agents may charge service fees and/or fees for card payments which vary. Cancellation penalties and conditions apply. To be read in conjunction with the full terms and conditions of the Rock the Boat 2020 brochure. Rock the Boat is a brand name of Choose Your Cruise Ltd and is operated for Cruisin’ Country Pty Ltd by Discovery Travel Centre Pty Ltd trading as Cruiseco.

M

C

C V

LOW DEPOSIT $500**PP

Unbeatable

2021 SOUTH AFRICA & THE INDIAN OCEAN 22 NIGHT FLY, STAY & CRUISE ADVENTURE WITH FREE BEVERAGE PACKAGE + $6000 BONUS VALUE!

"Luxury

IS THE CONFIDENCE OF BOOKING WITH A CLIA ACCREDITED AGENT

"

Natalie Gruzlewski | TRAVEL EXPERT

EXOTIC SOUTH AFRICA & THE INDIAN OCEAN IN 2021 YOUR 22 NIGHT FLY, STAY & CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES Full-service economy flights to Cape Town, returning from Dubai + 20 night cruise from Cape Town to Dubai onboard Norwegian Dawn in an Inside Stateroom + All meals in complimentary dining venues + On-board activities & entertainment PLUS $6000 BONUS VALUE FREE Beverage Package onboard, valued at US$4750 + 2 night stay in Cape Town + Transfers + Pre-paid gratuities onboard, valued at AUD$857 EXCLUSIVE ADD-ONS available including African Safari + Victoria Falls Tour

My ITINERARY

FROM ONLY

VALUED AT

$9890* PER PERSON

6890

$

*

PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

SAIL DATE 01 March 2021 CRUISE CODE MC-76422

CAPE TOWN - MOSSEL BAY - PORT ELIZABETH - RICHARDS BAY - REUNION - MAURITIUS - SEYCHELLES - MUSCAT - ABU DHABI - DUBAI

CALL OUR CRUISE EXPERTS 7 DAYS

CALL 1300 924 585 VISIT MYCRUISES.COM.AU

HAND-PICKED BY

FROM SYD-BNE-MEL-ADL-PER. *Prices are correct at time of publication, are based on twin-share per person & subject to availability & currency fluctuations. Prices subject to change without notice, until reservation is confirmed.

Flights may not be direct or operate daily. Terms & conditions apply. **Low deposit terms apply. For full terms & conditions visit MyCruises.com.au. The above-mentioned terms and conditions are to be read in conjunction with the terms & conditions outlined in the Norwegian Cruise Line brochure. My Cruises provides holiday packages offered by Ignite Holidays Pty Ltd & is a subsidiary of Ignite Travel Group. ATAS Accreditation No. A10345.

PORT SCHEDULE

Port Schedule Cruise ships calling at Australia and New Zealand, November 2019 February 2020

DATE

SHIP

CRUISE LINE

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Our ports of call As cruising in Australia grows, more coastal towns are under consideration to host new ports.

W

hile Sydney might be the gateway to cruise in New South Wales, the cruise industry is eyeing other ports along our stunning coastline. Newcastle, Port Kembla and Eden are already bursting at the seams with news of expansion and works are underway to accommodate the influx of cruise tourism. The focus is now turning to a handful of smaller ports along the NSW coastline that may also be able to cater for large passenger ships.

Here are some potential cruise ports. / Batemans Bay The area boasts a picturesque setting for walks, photography and ocean strolls with the mountain backdrops and stunning beaches and the locals are big fans of water sports and outdoor activities.

The Eurobodalla region is proud of its local seafood industry, and it is known as the heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast, where the world’s best oysters are collected. / Kiama Set against a backdrop of rolling green hills and magnificent coastline, Kiama’s appeal is diverse — golf courses in breathtaking locations, great surf breaks and charming neighbouring towns such as Gerroa and Gerringong. The lively café culture and other delicious food and beverage experiences, from wine tasting to beachside markets are enticing too. / Coffs Harbour Midway between Sydney and Brisbane, Coffs Harbour is a friendly small city on the NSW North Coast. Visitors can explore the natural splendour on coastal or ancient rainforest walks, the iconic Big Banana, the bustling Harbourside Market every Sunday and the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.

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Above: Batemans Bay is tiny but mighty.

10-NOV-19 19-NOV-19 6-DEC-19 9-DEC-19 12-DEC-19 17-DEC-19 20-DEC-19 21-DEC-19 30-DEC-19 31-DEC-19 31-DEC-19 2-JAN-20 6-JAN-20 7-JAN-20 8-JAN-20 20-JAN-20 25-JAN-20 28-JAN-20 18-FEB-20 19-FEB-20 23-FEB-20

MAASDAM GOLDEN PRINCESS VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA QUEEN ELIZABETH VASCO DA GAMA QUEEN ELIZABETH VASCO DA GAMA MAASDAM VASCO DA GAMA REGATTA VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA QUEEN ELIZABETH GOLDEN PRINCESS SUN PRINCESS GOLDEN PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH MAJESTIC PRINCESS SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR PACIFIC PRINCESS

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CUNARD CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CUNARD CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES OCEANIA CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

AIRLIE BEACH, QUEENSLAND 14-NOV-19 17-NOV-19 21-NOV-19 22-NOV-19 26-NOV-19 29-NOV-19 1-DEC-19 2-DEC-19 3-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 10-DEC-19 12-DEC-19 16-DEC-19 17-DEC-19 22-DEC-19 3-JAN-20 8-JAN-20 9-JAN-20 12-JAN-20 13-JAN-20 18-JAN-20 28-JAN-20 3-FEB-20 6-FEB-20 10-FEB-20 16-FEB-20 18-FEB-20 20-FEB-20

PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS VOYAGER OF THE SEAS MAASDAM MAJESTIC PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA CARNIVAL SPLENDOR REGATTA PACIFIC DAWN SEABOURN ENCORE VOYAGER OF THE SEAS VIKING ORION SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN CELEBRITY SOLSTICE SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC DAWN VIKING SUN SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN

P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES P&O CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN VIKING CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES VIKING CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES

ALBANY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 7-NOV-19 8-DEC-19 21-DEC-19 28-DEC-19 9-JAN-20 10-JAN-20 30-JAN-20

MAASDAM QUEEN ELIZABETH BOUDICCA REGATTA SUN PRINCESS VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CUNARD FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES OCEANIA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

PORT SCHEDULE DATE

SHIP

CRUISE LINE

BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND 1-NOV-19 1-NOV-19 2-NOV-19 3-NOV-19 8-NOV-19 8-NOV-19 9-NOV-19 12-NOV-19 15-NOV-19 15-NOV-19 16-NOV-19 17-NOV-19 18-NOV-19 19-NOV-19 22-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 24-NOV-19 28-NOV-19 28-NOV-19 29-NOV-19 29-NOV-19 30-NOV-19 3-DEC-19 4-DEC-19 5-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 10-DEC-19 13-DEC-19 14-DEC-19 14-DEC-19 16-DEC-19 17-DEC-19 19-DEC-19 24-DEC-19 27-DEC-19 28-DEC-19 29-DEC-19 30-DEC-19 6-JAN-20 7-JAN-20 10-JAN-20 11-JAN-20 12-JAN-20 17-JAN-20 18-JAN-20 23-JAN-20 23-JAN-20 24-JAN-20 25-JAN-20 25-JAN-20 28-JAN-20 31-JAN-20 1-FEB-20 1-FEB-20 2-FEB-20 4-FEB-20 5-FEB-20 8-FEB-20 11-FEB-20 15-FEB-20 16-FEB-20 18-FEB-20 19-FEB-20 19-FEB-20 20-FEB-20 22-FEB-20 23-FEB-20

EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC ARIA EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS MAASDAM PACIFIC ARIA EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS VOYAGER OF THE SEAS EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC ARIA MAJESTIC PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN SILVER MUSE REGATTA PACIFIC ARIA EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS REGATTA PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN VOYAGER OF THE SEAS PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS VIKING ORION PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS CELEBRITY SOLSTICE PACIFIC ARIA SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA OVATION OF THE SEAS QUEEN ELIZABETH PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC ARIA PACIFIC DAWN RADIANCE OF THE SEAS PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN QUEEN ELIZABETH QUEEN ELIZABETH OVATION OF THE SEAS PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS

DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE P&O CRUISES DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES P&O CRUISES DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES VIKING CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES P&O CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CUNARD P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES CUNARD CUNARD ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

DATE

19-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 23-DEC-19 QUEEN ELIZABETH 28-DEC-19 VASCO DA GAMA 30-DEC-19 SILVER MUSE 3-JAN-20 REGATTA 4-JAN-20 MAASDAM 10-JAN-20 REGATTA 11-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 17-JAN-20 SUN PRINCESS 20-JAN-20 SILVER MUSE 26-JAN-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 27-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS 30-JAN-20 REGATTA 1-FEB-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 7-FEB-20 REGATTA 9-FEB-20 EUROPA 12-FEB-20 SILVER MUSE 13-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 14-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 17-FEB-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 20-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 21-FEB-19 ALBATROS 25-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 27-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM

MAASDAM VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA QUEEN ELIZABETH QUEEN ELIZABETH RUBY PRINCESS

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CUNARD CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES

CRUISE LINE

DATE

SHIP

CRUISE LINE

PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES SILVERSEA CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE OCEANIA CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES CUNARD OCEANIA CRUISES HAPAG-LLOYD SILVERSEA CRUISES P&O CRUISES DREAM CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE DREAM CRUISES PHOENIX RIESEN REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES DREAM CRUISES

2-FEB-20 4-FEB-20 7-FEB-20 15-FEB-20 16-FEB-20 21-FEB-20 24-FEB-20 27-FEB-20 28-FEB-20

REGATTA REGATTA PACIFIC ARIA MAASDAM SILVER MUSE EXPLORER DREAM NOORDAM SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR EXPLORER DREAM

OCEANIA CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SILVERSEA CRUISES DREAM CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS DREAM CRUISES

CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND 21-NOV-19 SEA PRINCESS 24-NOV-19 CORAL ADVENTURER 27-NOV-19 MAASDAM 29-NOV-19 SILVER MUSE 2-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER 11-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER 13-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER 16-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER 20-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER 2-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 8-JAN-20 BOUDICCA 13-JAN-20 PACIFIC ARIA 29-JAN-20 EUROPA 29-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 1-FEB-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 4-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 17-FEB-20 VIKING SUN 19-FEB-20 SEA PRINCESS

PRINCESS CRUISES CORAL EXPEDITIONS HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SILVERSEA CRUISES CORAL EXPEDITIONS CORAL EXPEDITIONS CORAL EXPEDITIONS CORAL EXPEDITIONS CORAL EXPEDITIONS REGENT SEVEN SEAS FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES HAPAG-LLOYD REGENT SEVEN SEAS P&O CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS VIKING CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

COOKTOWN, QUEENSLAND 1-JAN-20 5-FEB-20

SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER

REGENT SEVEN SEAS REGENT SEVEN SEAS

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY 21-NOV-19 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 25-NOV-19 SILVER MUSE 2-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 6-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE 9-DEC-19 SEABOURN ENCORE 10-DEC-19 AIDAVITA 15-DEC-19 VIKING ORION 17-DEC-19 REGATTA 20-DEC-18 CORAL ADVENTURER 29-DEC-19 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 14-JAN-20 CORAL ADVENTURER 21-JAN-20 AIDAVITA 24-JAN-20 EUROPA 4-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 8-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 17-FEB-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 20-FEB-20 CORAL ADVENTURER 22-FEB-20 VIKING SUN 26-FEB-20 QUEEN MARY 2

BURNIE, TASMANIA 14-NOV-19 3-DEC-19 12-DEC-19 15-DEC-19 17-DEC-19 17-DEC-19

SHIP

ROYAL CARIBBEAN SILVERSEA CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PONANT SEABOURN CRUISE LINE AIDA CRUISES VIKING CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES CORAL EXPEDITIONS REGENT SEVEN SEAS CORAL EXPEDITIONS AIDA CRUISES HAPAG-LLOYD REGENT SEVEN SEAS REGENT SEVEN SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN CORAL EXPEDITIONS VIKING CRUISES CUNARD

EDEN, NEW SOUTH WALES 17-NOV-19 24-DEC-19 3-JAN-20 7-JAN-20 24-JAN-20

PACIFIC EXPLORER MAASDAM NOORDAM REGATTA NORWEGIAN JEWEL

P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE OCEANIA CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

HAMILTON ISLAND, QUEENSLAND 17-DEC-19 22-DEC-19

SEABOURN ENCORE VIKING ORION

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE VIKING CRUISES

HOBART, TASMANIA 4-NOV-19 RUBY PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 5-NOV-19 RUBY PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 6-NOV-19 RUBY PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 13-NOV-19 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 17-NOV-19 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CELEBRITY CRUISES 3-DEC-19 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 10-DEC-19 SILVER MUSE SILVERSEA CRUISES 11-DEC-19 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 11-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER P&O CRUISES 11-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 12-DEC-19 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CELEBRITY CRUISES 12-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER P&O CRUISES 12-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 13-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 13-DEC-19 VASCO DA GAMA CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES 23-DEC-19 VASCO DA GAMA CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES 28-DEC-19 MAASDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 29-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE PONANT 29-DEC-19 BOUDICCA FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINE 30-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE PONANT 30-DEC-19 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 30-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 31-DEC-19 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 31-DEC-19 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 1-JAN-20 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 1-JAN-20 VIKING ORION VIKING CRUISES 4-JAN-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 4-JAN-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 9-JAN-20 RUBY PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 10-JAN-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH CUNARD 15-JAN-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 19-JAN-20 VIKING ORION VIKING CRUISES 22-JAN-20 SILVER MUSE SILVERSEA CRUISES 22-JAN-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 27-JAN-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 28-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 29-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 29-JAN-20 VIKING ORION VIKING CRUISES 30-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 30-JAN-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH CUNARD 3-FEB-20 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 3-FEB-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 7-FEB-20 VIKING SUN VIKING CRUISES 8-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 9-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CELEBRITY CRUISES 9-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 10-FEB-20 EUROPA HAPAG-LLOYD 10-FEB-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 10-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA P&O CRUISES 11-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM DREAM CRUISES 12-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA P&O CRUISES 12-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM DREAM CRUISES 13-FEB-20 MAASDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 14-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES 16-FEB-20 VIKING ORION VIKING CRUISES 17-FEB-20 CORAL DISCOVERER CORAL EXPEDITIONS 18-FEB-20 MAASDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 18-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM DREAM CRUISES 19-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM DREAM CRUISES 20-FEB-20 AZAMARA JOURNEY AZAMARA CRUISES 20-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE 21-FEB-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN 21-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE 22-FEB-20 NOORDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

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SHIP

CRUISE LINE

DATE

24-FEB-20 24-FEB-20 25-FEB-20 25-FEB-20 26-FEB-20 26-FEB-20 29-FEB-20

CARNIVAL SPIRIT CORAL DISCOVERER CARNIVAL SPIRIT EXPLORER DREAM VIKING ORION EXPLORER DREAM CRYSTAL SERENITY

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CORAL EXPEDITIONS CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE DREAM CRUISES VIKING CRUISES DREAM CRUISES CRYSTAL CRUISES

25-JAN-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 26-JAN-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 27-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 27-JAN-20 VIKING ORION 29-JAN-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 30-JAN-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 31-JAN-20 REGATTA 1-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 2-FEB-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 2-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 5-FEB-20 REGATTA 6-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 7-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 7-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 8-FEB-20 EUROPA 8-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 9-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 9-FEB-20 VIKING SUN 10-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 13-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 13-FEB-20 SILVER MUSE 14-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 15-FEB-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 16-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 17-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 18-FEB-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 18-FEB-20 VIKING ORION 20-FEB-20 ALBATROS 21-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 21-FEB-20 PACIFIC PRINCESS 21-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 22-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 22-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 23-FEB-20 EXPLORER OF THE SEAS 24-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 24-FEB-20 VIKING ORION 24-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 25-FEB-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 27-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 27-FEB-20 ASTOR 28-FEB-20 PACIFIC ARIA 28-FEB-20 NOORDAM 29-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

KANGAROO ISLAND, Â SOUTH AUSTRALIA 11-NOV-19 11-NOV-19 19-DEC-19 20-DEC-19 24-DEC-19 31-DEC-19 4-JAN-19 5-JAN-19 6-JAN-19 8-JAN-19 19-JAN-19 26-JAN-19 19-FEB-19 20-FEB-19 23-FEB-19 26-FEB-19 29-FEB-19

MAASDAM GOLDEN PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH VASCO DA GAMA BOUDICCA MAASDAM VASCO DA GAMA AIDAAURA GOLDEN PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH SUN PRINCESS GOLDEN PRINCESS PACIFIC ARIA SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR ALBATROS PACIFIC ARIA ASTOR

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES AIDA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS PHOENIX RIESEN P&O CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3-NOV-19 4-NOV-19 5-NOV-19 5-NOV-19 11-NOV-19 13-NOV-19 17-NOV-19 22-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 24-NOV-19 4-DEC-19 5-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 9-DEC-19 9-DEC-19 11-DEC-19 14-DEC-19 15-DEC-19 17-DEC-19 20-DEC-19 22-DEC-19 23-DEC-19 24-DEC-19 26-DEC-19 26-DEC-19 26-DEC-19 26-DEC-19 30-DEC-19 31-DEC-19 2-JAN-20 2-JAN-20 2-JAN-20 3-JAN-20 3-JAN-20 4-JAN-20 5-JAN-20 6-JAN-20 8-JAN-20 9-JAN-20 10-JAN-20 10-JAN-20 11-JAN-20 12-JAN-20 14-JAN-20 16-JAN-20 19-JAN-20 21-JAN-20 21-JAN-20 23-JAN-20 24-JAN-20

100

GOLDEN PRINCESS PACIFIC EXPLORER CARNIVAL SPIRIT PACIFIC DAWN NOORDAM MAASDAM GOLDEN PRINCESS CELEBRITY SOLSTICE GOLDEN PRINCESS GOLDEN PRINCESS PACIFIC JEWEL NOORDAM GOLDEN PRINCESS SILVER MUSE MAJESTIC PRINCESS NOORDAM VASCO DA GAMA QUEEN ELIZABETH RUBY PRINCESS MAJESTIC PRINCESS GOLDEN PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH SEABOURN ENCORE SEABOURN ENCORE MAASDAM BOUDICCA VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA VIKING ORION SILVER MUSE GOLDEN PRINCESS REGATTA MAASDAM AIDAAURA MAASDAM REGATTA QUEEN ELIZABETH MAJESTIC PRINCESS REGATTA SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER GOLDEN PRINCESS SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER RUBY PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH CARNIVAL SPIRIT SUN PRINCESS SILVER MUSE VIKING ORION PACIFIC EXPLORER GOLDEN PRINCESS CARNIVAL SPIRIT

PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISES P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD SEABOURN CRUISE LINE SEABOURN CRUISE LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES VIKING CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AIDA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE OCEANIA CRUISES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS PRINCESS CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES VIKING CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

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CRUISE LINE

DATE

SHIP

CRUISE LINE

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CUNARD CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE VIKING CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE CUNARD SEABOURN CRUISE LINE OCEANIA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE SEABOURN CRUISE LINE HAPAG-LLOYD SEABOURN CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES VIKING CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE DREAM CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES P&O CRUISES CUNARD PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE VIKING CRUISES PHOENIX REISEN P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES VIKING CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS PRINCESS CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CELEBRITY CRUISES

27-JAN-20 1-FEB-20 12-FEB-20 24-FEB-20 22-FEB-20 25-FEB-20 27-FEB-20 28-FEB-20

VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR MAJESTIC PRINCESS RADIANCE OF THE SEAS PACIFIC PRINCESS ALBATROS

CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES REGENT SEVEN SEAS PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES PHOENIX RIESEN

MORETON ISLAND, QUEENSLAND 13-NOV-19 20-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 1-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 18-JAN-20 8-FEB-20

PACIFIC EXPLORER PACIFIC EXPLORER CARNIVAL SPIRIT MAASDAM PACIFIC EXPLORER CARNIVAL SPLENDOR CARNIVAL SPLENDOR CARNIVAL SPLENDOR

P&O AUSTRALIA P&O AUSTRALIA CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE P&O AUSTRALIA CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES 4-NOV-19 11-NOV-19 18-NOV-19 25-NOV-19 2-DEC-19 26-DEC-19 3-JAN-20 15-JAN-20

EXPLORER DREAM EXPLORER DREAM EXPLORER DREAM EXPLORER DREAM EXPLORER DREAM VIKING ORION CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

DREAM CRUISES DREAM CRUISES DREAM CRUISES DREAM CRUISES DREAM CRUISES VIKING CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES

PERTH (FREMANTLE), WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5-NOV-19 27-NOV-19 6-DEC-19 19-DEC-19 23-DEC-19 27-DEC-19 7-JAN-20 10-JAN-20 11-JAN-20 13-JAN-20 24-JAN-20 25-JAN-20

MAASDAM SUN PRINCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH BOUDICCA SUN PRINCESS REGATTA SUN PRINCESS AIDAAURA SUN PRINCESS VASCO DA GAMA SUN PRINCESS VASCO DA GAMA

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CUNARD FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES PRINCESS CRUISES OCEANIA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES AIDA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES PRINCESS CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

PORT DOUGLAS, QUEENSLAND 19-NOV-19 20-NOV-19 3-DEC-19 4-DEC-19 23-JAN-20 23-JAN-20 12-FEB-20 20-FEB-20

PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS MAJESTIC PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN PACIFIC DAWN CELEBRITY SOLSTICE PACIFIC DAWN SEA PRINCESS

P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

PORT LINCOLN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 21-NOV-19 8-DEC-19 19-DEC-19 5-JAN-19 7-JAN-19 14-JAN-19 27-JAN-19 24-FEB-19

GOLDEN PRINCESS VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA VASCO DA GAMA GOLDEN PRINCESS SUN PRINCESS GOLDEN PRINCESS ALBATROS

PRINCESS CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PHOENIX RIESEN

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 3-NOV-19 3-NOV-19 4-NOV-19 8-NOV-19 8-NOV-19 9-NOV-19 9-NOV-19 10-NOV-19 10-NOV-19 11-NOV-19 12-NOV-19 13-NOV-19 14-NOV-19 15-NOV-19 16-NOV-19 17-NOV-19 18-NOV-19 19-NOV-19 20-NOV-19 21-NOV-19 22-NOV-19 22-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 24-NOV-19 25-NOV-19 25-NOV-19 27-NOV-19 29-NOV-19 30-NOV-19 1-DEC-19 1-DEC-19 1-DEC-19 3-DEC-19 3-DEC-19 4-DEC-19 5-DEC-19 5-DEC-19 5-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 9-DEC-19 9-DEC-19

EXPLORER DREAM CARNIVAL SPIRIT RADIANCE OF THE SEAS RUBY PRINCESS PACIFIC EXPLORER CARNIVAL SPIRIT NOORDAM EXPLORER DREAM OVATION OF THE SEAS PACIFIC EXPLORER RADIANCE OF THE SEAS OVATION OF THE SEAS MAJESTIC PRINCESS PACIFIC EXPLORER MAASDAM EXPLORER DREAM PACIFIC EXPLORER RADIANCE OF THE SEAS CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CARNIVAL SPIRIT RUBY PRINCESS PACIFIC EXPLORER OVATION OF THE SEAS EXPLORER DREAM CARNIVAL SPIRIT PACIFIC EXPLORER MAJESTIC PRINCESS RADIANCE OF THE SEAS VOYAGER OF THE SEAS EXPLORER DREAM NORWEGIAN JEWEL VASCO DA GAMA VOYAGER OF THE SEAS MAASDAM OVATION OF THE SEAS RUBY PRINCESS PACIFIC EXPLORER SILVER MUSE SILVER MUSE CARNIVAL SPIRIT REGATTA MAJESTIC PRINCESS NOORDAM EXPLORER DREAM RADIANCE OF THE SEAS CARNIVAL SPIRIT PACIFIC EXPLORER

DREAM CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DREAM CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DREAM CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CELEBRITY CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES ROYAL CARIBBEAN HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE OCEANIA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DREAM CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES

PORT SCHEDULE DATE

SHIP

10-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 11-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 12-DEC-19 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 13-DEC-19 RUBY PRINCESS 14-DEC-19 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 14-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER 15-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 16-DEC-19 OVATION OF THE SEAS 17-DEC-19 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 17-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER 18-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 19-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 20-DEC-19 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 20-DEC-19 SEABOURN ENCORE 21-DEC-19 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 23-DEC-19 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 23-DEC-19 MAASDAM 25-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE 26-DEC-19 OVATION OF THE SEAS 26-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE 27-DEC-19 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 27-DEC-19 VIKING ORION 27-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER 27-DEC-19 VIKING ORION 28-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 29-DEC-19 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 30-DEC-19 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 30-DEC-19 PACIFIC EXPLORER 31-DEC-19 AIDAAURA 31-DEC-19 BOUDICCA 31-DEC-19 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 31-DEC-19 SILVER MUSE 31-DEC-19 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 3-JAN-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 3-JAN-20 SILVER MUSE 4-JAN-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 4-JAN-20 MAASDAM 5-JAN-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 6-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 6-JAN-20 REGATTA 6-JAN-20 MAASDAM 7-JAN-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 7-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 8-JAN-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 8-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 9-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 10-JAN-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 12-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPIRIT 13-JAN-20 RUBY PRINCESS 14-JAN-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 15-JAN-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 16-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 16-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 16-JAN-20 SILVER MUSE 18-JAN-20 NOORDAM 18-JAN-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 19-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 20-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 21-JAN-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 22-JAN-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 23-JAN-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 23-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 23-JAN-20 VIKING ORION 23-JAN-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 24-JAN-20 VIKING ORION 24-JAN-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 25-JAN-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 25-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS 25-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 26-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 26-JAN-20 PACIFIC ARIA 27-JAN-20 RUBY PRINCESS 28-JAN-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 28-JAN-20 PACIFIC EXPLORER 29-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 30-JAN-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 31-JAN-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 1-FEB-20 NOORDAM 2-FEB-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 3-FEB-20 REGATTA 3-FEB-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 4-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS

CRUISE LINE

DATE

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN SEABOURN CRUISE LINE NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CELEBRITY CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PONANT ROYAL CARIBBEAN PONANT ROYAL CARIBBEAN VIKING CRUISES P&O CRUISES VIKING CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES AIDACRUISES FRED OLSEN CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE SILVERSEA CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE SILVERSEA CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE OCEANIA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN REGENT SEVEN SEAS PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE SILVERSEA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS VIKING CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES VIKING CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CELEBRITY CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES P&O CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES REGENT SEVEN SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN OCEANIA CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES

5-FEB-20 EUROPA 5-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 5-FEB-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 6-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 7-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 8-FEB-20 RUBY PRINCESS 9-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 9-FEB-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 10-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 11-FEB-20 RUBY PRINCESS 11-FEB-20 VIKING SUN 12-FEB-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 13-FEB-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 14-FEB-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 16-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 16-FEB-20 MAASDAM 17-FEB-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 17-FEB-20 ALBATROS 17-FEB-20 SILVER MUSE 18-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 19-FEB-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 20-FEB-20 ARCADIA 20-FEB-20 VIKING ORION 22-FEB-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 23-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 23-FEB-20 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 23-FEB-20 AZAMARA JOURNEY 23-FEB-20 ASTOR 24-FEB-20 RUBY PRINCESS 25-FEB-20 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 25-FEB-20 COLUMBUS 26-FEB-20 NOORDAM 26-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 28-FEB-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 28-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR 29-FEB-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 29-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS MARINER

SHIP

CRUISE LINE

DATE

HAPAG-LLOYD SEABOURN CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CELEBRITY CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES DREAM CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES VIKING CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE DREAM CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CUNARD PHOENIX RIESEN SILVERSEA CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN P&O CRUISES VIKING CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE AZAMARA CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES PRINCESS CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CELEBRITY CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN REGENT SEVEN SEAS

14-DEC-19 SEA PRINCESS 20-DEC-19 SILVER MUSE 21-DEC-19 NOORDAM 22-DEC-19 EXPLORER DREAM 23-DEC-19 OVATION OF THE SEAS 27-DEC-19 RUBY PRINCESS 27-DEC-19 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 29-DEC-19 GOLDEN PRINCESS 29-DEC-19 EXPLORER DREAM 30-DEC-19 RUBY PRINCESS 31-DEC-19 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 31-DEC-19 QUEEN ELIZABETH 5-JAN-20 EXPLORER DREAM 6-JAN-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 8-JAN-20 SEA PRINCESS 9-JAN-20 VIKING ORION 12-JAN-20 OVATION OF THE SEAS 12-JAN-20 EXPLORER DREAM 13-JAN-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 14-JAN-20 NOORDAM 14-JAN-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 17-JAN-20 MAJESTIC PRINCESS 19-JAN-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 19-JAN-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 19-JAN-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 20-JAN-20 MAASDAM 20-JAN-20 REGATTA 20-JAN-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 21-JAN-20 SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER 21-JAN-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 24-JAN-20 LE LAPEROUSE 25-JAN-20 RADIANCE OF THE SEAS 26-JAN-20 EXPLORER DREAM 27-JAN-20 NOORDAM 28-JAN-20 VIKING ORION 1-FEB-20 SILVER MUSE 2-FEB-20 EXPLORER DREAM 3-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 4-FEB-20 NORWEGIAN JEWEL 6-FEB-20 VIKING ORION 6-FEB-20 QUEEN ELIZABETH 7-FEB-20 AZAMARA JOURNEY 8-FEB-20 GOLDEN PRINCESS 10-FEB-20 PACIFIC PRINCESS 11-FEB-20 ALBATROS 12-FEB-20 SEA PRINCESS 13-FEB-20 NOORDAM 15-FEB-20 ARCADIA 15-FEB-20 ASTOR 17-FEB-20 REGATTA 17-FEB-20 CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 18-FEB-20 CRYSTAL SERENITY 19-FEB-20 COLUMBUS 20-FEB-20 RUBY PRINCESS 20-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 21-FEB-20 SEABOURN ENCORE 22-FEB-20 SEVEN SEAS MARINER 23-FEB-20 EUROPA 27-FEB-20 COSTA DELIZIOSA 28-FEB-20 RUBY PRINCESS

THURSDAY ISLAND, QUEENSLAND 14-DEC-19 LE LAPEROUSE 18-DEC-19 VIKING ORION 27-JAN-20 EUROPA 19-FEB-20 VIKING SUN

PONANT VIKING CRUISES HAPAG-LLOYD VIKING CRUISES

YORKEYS KNOB, QUEENSLAND 20-NOV-19 25-NOV-19 2-DEC-19 3-DEC-19 6-DEC-19 14-JAN-20 19-JAN-20 11-FEB-20 14-FEB-20 20-FEB-20 25-FEB-20 28-FEB-20

PACIFIC DAWN VOYAGER OF THE SEAS MAJESTIC PRINCESS PACIFIC DAWN CARNIVAL SPLENDOR PACIFIC DAWN CELEBRITY SOLSTICE PACIFIC DAWN RADIANCE OF THE SEAS NORWEGIAN JEWEL ARCADIA QUEEN ELIZABETH

P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES P&O CRUISES CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES P&O CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE P&O CRUISES CUNARD LINE

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 2-NOV-19 8-NOV-19 10-NOV-19 13-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 23-NOV-19 25-NOV-19 27-NOV-19 30-NOV-19 1-DEC-19 2-DEC-19 3-DEC-19 4-DEC-19 7-DEC-19 8-DEC-19 11-DEC-19 15-DEC-19 16-DEC-19

OVATION OF THE SEAS CELEBRITY SOLSTICE MAJESTIC PRINCESS SEA PRINCESS NOORDAM MAJESTIC PRINCESS CORAL DISCOVERER VASCO DA GAMA OVATION OF THE SEAS RUBY PRINCESS CELEBRITY SOLSTICE GOLDEN PRINCESS SEA PRINCESS MAASDAM OVATION OF THE SEAS NORWEGIAN JEWEL EXPLORER DREAM GOLDEN PRINCESS

SHIP

CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DREAM CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES DREAM CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CUNARD DREAM CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES VIKING CRUISES ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE OCEANIA CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS CUNARD PONANT ROYAL CARIBBEAN DREAM CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE VIKING CRUISES SILVERSEA CRUISES DREAM CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE VIKING CRUISES CUNARD AZAMARA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PHOENIX RIESEN PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE P&O CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES OCEANIA CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES CRYSTAL CRUISES CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES PRINCESS CRUISES SEABOURN CRUISE LINE SEABOURN CRUISE LINE REGENT SEVEN SEAS HAPAG-LLYOD COSTA CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

Auckland

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CELEBRITY CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CORAL EXPEDITIONS CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRITY CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE DREAM CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES

cruisepassenger.com.au

101

LAST WORD

I notice you’re ordering a second margarita… you’ll be pleased to know that $1 from this cocktail will be donated to UNICEF, which is funding a local project here in the pristine islands of Papua New Guinea.

Right, who’s hungry?

Let’s head to the restaurant for a meal of sustainably sourced lobster, caught under the closely monitored World Wildlife Fund’s ocean conservation program.

Try saying that after another drink!

It tastes better when you know it’s ethically sourced, doesn’t it? Anyone for a latte? Your coffee is also sourced through this wonderful program.

Oh look! We’ve arrived in Vanuatu. Today, we’re offering a shore excursion in partnership with the local communities; the Tree of Life tour teaches you about the 165 different uses of coconuts and is also helping local tour operators develop their business. And you look divine in that coconut grass skirt and shell bra!

Now, I bet you didn’t even notice that while we were moored, we switched our engines off and plugged into our shore-side electricity system. You didn’t, did you?

Do you want a shower to rinse off after your luxe coconut scrub? Don’t worry, when you’ve finished with your towel, it’ll be washed by our advanced wastewater treatment system that uses grey water. And that all-natural biodegradable soap you used? We partner with Soap Aid, which recycles tons of discarded soap bars and donates them to disadvantaged communities across the globe.

Have a look at your next environmentally friendly shore excursions. You’ll help save a sea turtle when we arrive in Mexico, and later, in Alaska, you’ll cuddle some huskies. In New Zealand we’ll be planting trees in Dunedin, which will become shelter for the yelloweyed penguins that roam the region. Two of them will even be named after you!

Welcome to Le Future Step aboard the cruise ship of tomorrow, with Captain Rose Jacobs.

T

he year is 2030 and this is Captain Rose speaking. With every cruise line on the planet competing to have the world’s most sustainable ship, we here at Cruise Passenger have decided to join the game and build our own ship. The best part?

You’re invited to the launch party! So step aboard Le Future and off we go.

Let me start by describing the technology our sustainable ship uses. For a start, Le Future is 40 per cent more carbon efficient than ships were back in 2019 – part of the global cruise industry commitment.

We’ve achieved this by advancing our hull design and propulsion methods, and powering our vessel with LNG. Aren’t we flash?!

As you wander around the ship, you’ll notice we’re also using more energy efficient technologies (I must say, you look radiant under our LED lighting!) and tinted glass throughout the ship to reduce heat indoors and therefore our use of air conditioning.

Oh look, there’s the bar! Ladies and gents, here’s your complimentary Fair Trade margarita – sans straw, obviously, plastic is so 2018.

In fact, while you sip that margarita, our ship is also busy clearing plastic waste from the coral reefs we sail past, part of the conservation program we set up back in 2019.

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cruisepassenger.com.au

We here at Cruise Passenger have decided to build our own ship. The best part? You’re invited to the launch party!”

Above: Captain Rose takes to the high seas.

After all those margaritas, you may need to make use of our onboard facilities, so you’ll be pleased to know we are using a wastewater purification system, and we’re turning your waste into our energy. Oh, and when you pop your rubbish into the bin, rest assured it’s being disintegrated into water and dust, rather than being burnt like we did in the past.

Well, guys, That’s it for our tour today of the fabulous sustainable ship Le Future, it’s time to raise our Virtual Anchor – yes, it’s new technology that has maintained our position without disturbing the marine life or causing damage to the fragile reef environments below us. Off we sail into the sunset… perhaps with another margarita, raising money for charity!

TALK TO AN EXPERT

Cruise with confidence How do you find the cruise that’s right for you?

Here are six ways a CLIAaccredited travel agent will keep you shipshape.

Travel agents accredited by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have completed additional education and training to become cruise specialists.

Visit www.cruising.org.au to find your nearest CLIA-accredited agent.

SAVE TIME A specialist travel agent will have a world of information at their fingertips, saving you hours of doing your own research online.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE CLIA-accredited travel agents can give professional advice on every aspect of your travel, often from first-hand experience.

A PERSONAL TOUCH A specialist travel agent can recommend cruise options that best suit you. Your holiday will be bespoke – personally tailored for you.

SUSTAINABLE CRUISING A CLIA-accredited travel agent can help answer your questions about the cruise industry’s sustainability initiatives.

PEACE OF MIND Your travel agent can assist if you experience any disruption while you’re travelling. They’ll be able to take charge when you need help.

Book through a CLIA-accredited travel agent.

See www.cruising.org.au

Absolute comfort meets rugged beauty

16 nights departing 27 August 2020

East Coast & Top End Explorer with Sea Princess® & The Ghan

Cairns

Alice Springs Coober Pedy Brisbane

Adelaide ➤ Tour Host.^ ➤ 10 nights aboard Sea Princess® cruising from Sydney to Darwin. ➤ Half day Darwin City Sights Tour with lunch. ➤ 3 night stay in Darwin including breakfast, transfers, welcome drinks & canapés. ➤ Lunch or dinner at Hotel Darwin. ➤ Full day Litchfield National Park Waterfalls tour including lunch. ➤ 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition travelling from Darwin to Adelaide in Gold or Platinum Service.

Twin share from

$7,659 pp

Alotau

Darwin Katherine

Sydney

FULLY HOSTED ^ TOUR

14 nights departing 30 August 2020

Top End & The Kimberley Coast with Sea Princess® & The Ghan

Kimberley Coast (scenic cruising)

Darwin Katherine

Broome

Alice Springs Geraldton

Marla

Adelaide ➤ 2 nights aboard The Ghan travelling from Perth/Fremantle Adelaide to Darwin in Gold or Platinum Service. ➤ 5 night stay in Darwin including breakfast, transfers, welcome drinks & canapés. ➤ Big Bus Darwin 48 hour Hop-on Hop-off pass. ➤ Lunch or dinner at Hotel Darwin. ➤ Full day Litchfield National Park Waterfalls tour including lunch. ➤ Charles Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise including transfers. ➤ 7 nights aboard Sea Princess® cruising from Darwin to Perth (Fremantle).

Twin share from

$6,419 pp holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au or contact your local travel agent

1300 854 897

www.holidaysofaustralia.com.au Terms & Conditions: Fares are per person in AUD based on twin share in an interior cruise cabin & gold service rail. Inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees & port expenses if applicable which are subject to change. Prices correct as at 08.10.19. Subject to availability. Airfares, hotels & transfers are additional unless otherwise stated. ^Subject to minimum numbers to guarantee tour host. Cancellation charges apply. For full terms & conditions contact Holidays of Australia and the World. E&OE - HA1984