13 minute read
Cruise & Travel 88
Prepare for an armada
This summer Australia will be home to 46 international cruise ships, including some of the best, most luxurious and biggest in the world. More luxury ships from lines Regent Seven Seas, Ponant, Viking, Oceania, Cunard and Seabourn are set to visit from October to March next year.
Two standout stars will be Regent Seven Seas Explorer – “the most luxurious ship ever built” – and Le Ponant, the beautiful French yacht that will transform sailing in the Kimberley.
“Luxury travel has been the fastest to recover ... We’re seeing a much broader range of destinations – bucket-list destinations. We’re also seeing a lot of ‘close to home’, including Asia, where people don’t have to travel so far,” says Steve Odell, SVP & Managing Director Asia Pacific, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Odell revealed that the average cruise spend has risen to above $30,000 for two people. “We are seeing more new customers than ever before – more than 50 per cent of people we have booked are new to our brand,” he says. Regent Seven Seas is already two-thirds full for 2023, and the line is now turning its sales teams on 2024-25.
Homeported lines are also bringing numbers back to pre-pandemic days. Between P&O Cruises Australia, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises, 11 of the big ships will take to Australian shores. Princess will sail three ships, including popular Majestic Princess; all three P&O Australia ships (Pacific Encounter, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Explorer) will be in operation; and the return of Carnival Splendor and the new Carnival Luminosa means the so-called “fun ships” are back.
Particularly anticipated is the return of Royal Caribbean to Australian cruising, with the arrival of Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas bringing two huge ships to our shores. Quantum of the Seas, one of the largest and newest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, will be based in Brisbane, where the new port facility is aiming to make a step change in cruising Queensland and the Pacific.
“Pent-up demand after Royal Caribbean’s two-year hiatus in Australia has meant bookings on both Quantum Class ships coming to Australia have been extremely strong,” says Dave Humphreys, director of sales at Royal Caribbean International Australia and New Zealand.
“Bookings across Royal Caribbean’s Australia 2022-2023 summer season are performing well, with huge demand from Australians who are eager to
get back to sea. Web traffic is exceeding pre-pandemic levels and enquiries on sailings have been significantly increasing.”
Humphreys says if you have your heart set on a particular cabin or suite category you should move fast.
“Our interconnecting balcony staterooms, which are ideal for multi-gen families, always sell out fast,” he says. “We also see a great deal of demand for our suites as Australian guests look to indulge on their holiday with features such as our Royal Genie, who as a personal butler can craft exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences all designed around the Star suite guest.”
As for itineraries that are moving quickly, Humphreys highlights Ovation of the Seas’ and Quantum of the Seas’ 12-night sailings that stretch across Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific.
Norwegian Cruise Line is also expecting a buoyant season with Norwegian Spirit, which has had a $150 million makeover, taking centre stage. She will be sailing around our coasts and to New Zealand from December, along with Viking Ocean Cruises’ ships Viking Orion and Viking Mars.
The stage is set From left: Cruising makes a strong return to Australia; catch Mamma Mia! on Royal Caribbean; Ponant’s Le Soleal will sail Australia in 2023.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz says demand is strong across the industry.
“The sight of magnificent international cruise ships back in Australian and New Zealand waters has created a huge sense of anticipation and cruise lines are reporting good demand for cruising over the coming summer and into the future,” he says.
According to CLIA’s latest sentiment surveys, Australians are revelling in the return of cruising as the numbers show spirits soaring since last year.
In November 2021, of Australians who had never cruised before, only 43 per cent said they would be open to cruising, but that number has now rebounded to 56 per cent. Similarly, last November 73 per cent of past cruisers said they would cruise again in the next few years; now 81 per cent of past cruisers are ready to commit to a sailing.
Furthermore, among both cruisers and non-cruisers, 65 per cent say they are likely or very likely to book a cruise in the next two years, well ahead of the 53 per cent from last November and even slightly up from the 64 per cent pre-pandemic.
Katz says these numbers are a sign of the times as Australians get ready to cruise again.
“Australians and New Zealanders have always been among the world’s most passionate cruisers, so it’s great to see the enthusiasm among past guests is back at pre-pandemic levels,” he says.
“Sentiment has climbed even higher in other countries where cruise operations have been running for some time, so we can be confident of a similar rise in our region as we move forward.”
The momentum will only continue in the following season as heavyweights Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line pay their first visits to Australia, Celebrity Cruises brings its first Edge Class ship to our shores and numbers tick back towards the massive 60 ships that visited Australia during its last pre-COVID wave season.
Winds of change
Le Ponant will sail the Kimberley next year, bringing an entirely new experience to an iconic destination. Louise Goldsbury discovered the delights of life under sail.
Lying on a yoga mat on the top deck at sunset, gazing up at the three masts pointing to the heavens, I feel like the real paradise is where I am right now: mid-meditation, mid-ocean, mid-ship, Le Ponant
Does the destination even matter on a vessel like this on a day like today? Geographically, we’re somewhere between two Greek Islands on the Ionian or Aegean Sea. It’s not relevant to my relaxation at this blissful moment in time. I ask Johanna not to bother translating this last part of the class, preferring the soothing sound of her French words and accent.
Soon I will go downstairs for dinner with only 18 other guests, as if we have chartered our own boat with two chefs and four waiters. Chef Cedric’s menu may offer caviar, truffle and foie gras, or gourmet creations with duck, octopus or a whole roasted seabream. There will definitely be wine and cheese, before a masterpiece dessert, and a friendly chat with restaurant manager Nicolas. Afterwards, we might be tempted by a complimentary cocktail suggested by bar manager Ludovic. Lychee fizz, gin bramble, spicy mango caipirinha, or white port and tonic with orange and mint?
In the morning, my butler, Aurelien, will ask if I need anything, and I won’t be able to think of a thing. Then, on my way to breakfast on the terrace, Jeffrey will greet me with his lovely smile and a freshly squeezed orange juice. This is where my routine ends. The rest of the day could be spent paddle-boarding in Kythnos, roaming around a
Venetian-style village in Kefalonia, or tasting olive oil at a family-run estate in Monemvasia, surrounded by vineyards and mountains.
In Paxos, I have lunch with friends at a seaside taverna and browse boutiques selling flowy dresses, woven bags and hats. From the port of Fiskardo, I self drive a tiny motorboat (no licence required) and zip along the coastline to three or four locations. Although the snorkelling is underwhelming wherever I drop anchor, it’s the best chance to find a secluded cove to yourself.
Not much bigger than the private boats circling the Cyclades, Le Ponant avoids the larger, crowded ports of Europe. Onboard activities also lean toward yachting, such as a marine knots workshop offered by officer cadet Jules, or simply reading your book on the sun deck under the sails. When conditions allow, an inflatable sea pool is attached to the aft marina platform for guests to swim off the back of the ship. On a sea day, my highlight is a massage by spa therapist Elaura, in the spa treatment room which was added this year.
Le Ponant underwent a major refit, completed in August, which created a more sophisticated look to match its yacht-like intimacy. The new design by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, known for its work with upscale hotels, revamped the interiors with a minimalist approach. Unprecedented in the industry, the most significant change was a 50 per cent reduction in accommodation – from 32 to 16 cabins. Each of the rooms, including a 56 sq m owner’s suite, also received new bathrooms and furnishings, refreshed from floor to ceiling.
A neutral palette of off-white, taupe and grey extends from the cabins to the common areas, uniting the ship with a stylish sense of comfort. New furniture, flooring and lighting were installed indoors and out, with large windows letting in natural light.
In line with the company’s commitment to more responsible tourism, many eco-friendly initiatives were implemented. An innovative SCR filter cuts nitrous oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent, and the latest technology is used for water treatment and smart waste sorting at sea. Most visible is the ship’s ability to sail purely on wind power, when conditions allow, enhancing the feeling of freedom on the open seas.
In preparation for Le Ponant’s first season in the Kimberley next year, a fleet of two Zodiacs will be doubled to four to take passengers on rides around the rivers and gorges, to Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Falls. Fishing equipment has also been upgraded, which the crew use to catch tuna (and soon, barramundi).
Ponant, the France-based operator of this three-masted flagship, is bringing all the luxury Down Under. Guests can look forward to a team of 34 crew, French chefs and butlers, dining al fresco for three meals a day, complimentary drinks, afternoon tea with pastries and crepes, and Swarovski binoculars and sunhats for use on board.
Best of all, the decreased capacity has boosted the guest-to-staff ratio from 2:1 to 1:1, with the same number of crewmembers retained. The obvious benefits are a higher level of personalised service, greater spaciousness and a heightened sense of exclusivity. It’s an
experience I can highly recommend in a hot and harsh environment like the Kimberley, where any comforts would be gratefully received.
For the first time, I’m staying in a cabin with a porthole on the lowest passenger deck. While other suites have balconies, my room is so close to the waterline I could almost touch the ocean. I fall asleep to the rhythmic lapping of waves against the hull and wake to a close-up view of the calm sea’s silky surface.
I discover I love this location, and not only for the lower price; it feels more nautical, more like sailing than cruising, and that’s the whole point of Le Ponant.
Q&A with Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific and Special Advisor to Executive at Ponant
A legend of the Australian cruise industry, Sarina Bratton has been instrumental in Ponant’s decision to deploy Le Ponant to the Kimberley for the 2023 dry season. Staffed with bilingual crew, the three-masted sailing ship will join Ponant’s Le Soleal and Laperouse in the region.
Why was Le Ponant your preferred choice of ship for the Kimberley?
The opportunity to introduce a vessel of such unique and high quality to this beautiful, pristine wilderness area is something we wish to share widely. There has been nothing like this in the Kimberley.
Will guests have different experiences than those offered by other luxury ships in the region?
Absolutely. With just 32 guests, the ability to take our guests to lesser known but equally enriching destinations along this coastline is exciting. Small gatherings ashore in ancient caves. Bespoke and unique pearling experiences with Paspaley. The whisper of the wind, a glass of Veuve Clicquot in hand as we sail along this ancient landscape.
What is the expected demographic of passengers on Ponant’s Kimberley cruises?
Ponant has the broadest global distribution model of any company in this sector. We have allocated
four departures in the season to specifically cater to our Frenchspeaking clientele. Our bilingual naturalists will be assigned to these dates. Le Ponant also has a strong following in North America. We anticipate Australians to be the largest source market.
In such a hot destination, how will people cool off?
In the Kimberley, with so few guests, we have the opportunity of visiting numerous freshwater swimming holes, just like the other Kimberley small boat operators [with 36 or fewer passengers].
When not in the Kimberley, sailing in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, our guests will dive into the warm waters off the stern marina platform.
Will the food and wine be French or Australian?
The quality will remain the same. Local sourcing of fresh food product will naturally change the menu design; however, the French gastronomic flair will always
remain. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the magnificent range of fresh food in this country.
The introduction of Le Ponant brings the local fleet to three vessels. Is there more to come?
We have had two of our vessels operating the Kimberley for years – Le Soleal with 200 guests, and Laperouse (Explorer Class vessel) with 170 guests. In 2024, we will have two Explorer Class vessels operating the Kimberley, thus reducing our capacity. The addition of Le Ponant means our capacity in the destination will be around the same, but with a very distinct variation of product between our 32-guest Le Ponant to our 170-guest Explorer vessels.
