JMAK= : ( ( . / < Tuesday 07 August 2012
Cruising comeback on the Mississippi The launch of the Queen of the Mississippi marks the return of traditional paddlewheeler cruises in America. AFTER several years without any holiday cruises on the Mississippi River, two ships are bringing back the good old days. On the weekend, American Cruise Lines debuted the first new, authentic paddlewheeler built for the famous waterway in almost 20 years. The 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi set sail on Saturday on a sold-out, eight-day, roundtrip voyage from New Orleans. According to the operators, the vessel offers a new way to see the longest river system in North America, boasting large staterooms with private balconies, free internet, room service and satellite TV. “The launch of Queen of the Mississippi represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Mississippi river-boating, where 21st century amenities are offered aboard an authentic paddlewheeler that is historic in appearance,” said Charles Robertson, President and CEO, American Cruise Lines. Destinations in 2012/13, extending to the Ohio River, include New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, St Louis, Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St.
Paul and Pittsburgh. It follows the April 2012 return of the newly renamed American Steamboat Company’s 436passenger American Queen. Next year the refurbished American Queen, featuring new single rooms for solo travellers, will offer 30 departures between Memphis and New Orleans, with themed cruises including Elvis, cooking and Civil War history. For details, see www.americancruiselines.com or www.americanqueensteamboat.com.
OCEANIA Cruises’ Culinary Centre offers guests the only cooking school at sea with hands on instruction, as well as the expertise of Master Chefs who provide instruction in a professional kitchen atmosphere, and shore side events and market tours which are designed to expand guests’ cooking prowess. The Culinary Centre is produced in conjunction with Bon Appetit, America’s premier food publication, see p 5 for details.
Century old adventurer EMILY Guidice is living proof that age is no barrier to adventure, with the centenarian becoming one of P&O Cruises’ oldest ever passengers. When the iconic shipping line began cruising from Australia 80 years ago with the mail steamer Strathaird, Emily was already a 20-yearold, and this week at a healthy 100 years of age Emily (who is pictured below with her birthday message from the Queen) boarded the cruise line’s Pacific Jewel for the first time. “I have an adventurous spirit” she said, adding “I am looking forward to everything, especially the music, I just like it all”.
Cruise the Med for $1 CRUISERS who book MSC’s seven-night Mediterranean cruise departing on 02 September 2012 will be able to take a friend for only $1, plus port charges of $175. The Cruise of the Week deal is available to book from 3pm today, until 10am on 09 August. Barcelona and Marseille before returning to Genoa. The voyage departs roundtrip from Genoa onboard MSC Fantasia and visits Naples, Palermo, Tunisia, Barcelona and Marseille, and is priced from is priced from $1,225pp.
Oceania Cruises cooking at sea
HAVE YOU SECURED THE BEST AIR OFFER IN THE MARKET? Book any 2013 Viking river cruise today and you can: 9 Fly to Europe or Russia for just $995 per person* return Economy-class 9 Book any stateroom 9 Fly to and from any major European gateway 9 Fly any date you desire 9 Enjoy Viking’s choice of seven reputable airways: Qantas/British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Scandinavian Airlines or Finnair.* 9 Plus, you can include an Asian stopover without any additional costs. Call us
1800 829 138
vikingrivercruises.com.au
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of CW features four pages of the latest cruise news, plus see p5for details on Oceania Cruises onboard culinary offerings.
*Viking $995 Air offer is strictly limited, conditions apply, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Guests booked on a Viking 2013 cruise / tour itinerary can receive return economy class airfare from Australia (from ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD) to Europe return for $995.00, with a reputable carrier chosen by Viking. Full air fare payment ($995 per person) is due at the time of booking. Non-refundable full airfare payment ($995 per person) is due at the time of booking. Guests may choose date for travel and major European gateway destination, for full list visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au or request at the time of booking. Offer is non-changeable, not redeemable for cash, non-transferrable and non-redeemable for cruise credits. Price is in Australian dollars, per person and includes seasonal surcharges, all government fees and taxes and air fuel surcharges. Full airline terms and conditions will apply. Additional conditions apply, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au.
2013 Europe & Russia Boutique River Cruising Out Now. WIN A RIVER CRUISE FOR TWO
SAVE up to $3,800 per couple available.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
Page 1
JMAK=
UP SAVE TO
PER COUPLE*
ON SELECT 2013 DEPARTURES
FREE C ABIN UP GR ADE
MORE EARLYBIRD DEALS AVAILABLE
BOOK NOW! SELLING FAST
: ( ( . / <
ZZZ FUXLVHZHHNO\ FRP DX Tuesday 07 August 2012
Cruise Calendar Cruise Weekly’s cruise calendar details upcoming port calls of passenger cruise ships at various destinations in Australia. SYDNEY Spirit of Tasmania II Pacific Jewel
Wed 08 Aug Tue 14 Aug
BRISBANE Pacific Dawn
Sat 11 Aug
DARWIN Coral Princess Orion
Fri 10 Aug Sat 11 Aug
Naked and staring at the sea CELEBRITY Cruises is giving avid cruise fans a sneak peak at its ‘Reflection Suite’ which will feature onboard its soon to launch Celebrity Reflection, and will debut an all-glass shower designed to extend out over the edge of the ship. The Reflection Suite, Celebrity’s first twobedroom suite, will measure 1,636-squarefeet, and will sport a 194-square-foot veranda. Set to be located on Reflection’s 14th deck when she launches in October, the Reflection Suite will include a sea-view bathroom with rain shower, and the host of amenities including round-the-clock butler service. For those who may be put off by a glass shower, Celebrity’s Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said “We made a big investment in ensuring our guests can enjoy the shower entirely free of any concerns of being seen”. “They can enjoy breathtaking sea views while discreetly showering, courtesy of the shower’s special reflective glass, but, if they seek even further privacy, the shower also features smart glass [which] at the flick of a switch, guests can activate an electrochromatic technology which instantly transforms the glass from transparent to translucent,” she added. Reflection Suite shower
¬ CLICK HERE for 2013 Avalon brochure and latest earlybird specials
Tempo releases 2013 Egypt 2-for-1 A new independent tour includes a Nile cruise, while a five-star ship has been introduced as a luxury option on some itineraries. AUSTRALIAN travel wholesaler Tempo Holidays has released a 2013 brochure featuring a two-for-one deal for Egypt and new small group and mini-tours. Described as its “amazing special of the year” is the 11-day ‘Wonders of Egypt’ trip, which covers the Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings, four nights in Cairo, two nights in Alexandria and a four-night Nile river cruise. Priced from $3,188 per couple (instead of per person) twin-share, the discounted tour is valid for booking by 15 November and for travel between October 2012 and September 2013. Tempo has also introduced six new ‘minitouring’ options ex-Cairo and a 14-day small group tour, ‘Egypt in Depth’, which includes cruises on Lake Nasser and the Nile, priced from $2,202 per person twin-share. New independent tours include the 13-day ‘The Glories of Egypt & Jordan’, which also includes a Nile cruise, Sharm El Sheikh, Wadi Rum and Petra; and the 11-day ‘Egypt by Dahabeya’, which sails the Nile aboard a traditional sailing boat. Adding a more luxurious touch, the five-star Nile cruiser MS Mayfair has been introduced
as an upgrade option on several itineraries. “All tours come with Tempo’s price guarantee to beat any Australian wholesaler quote on identical product, and with our Bulk Buy and Save program, travellers will enjoy even bigger savings the more they buy,” Tempo Holidays Product Manager John Saporito said. Tempo’s 44-page brochure also takes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Israel, Jordan, Oman and Qatar with a range of tours to suit all budgets. For details, contact a travel agent.
Silversea Aussie specials SILVERSEA is enticing cruisers to book on its two 14 day sailings between Australia and New Zealand aboard the Silver Shadow in January 2013, by offering fares from US$6,999 per person double occupancy in an ocean view Vista Suite, and US$1000 per suite onboard spending credit. See your travel agent for full details.
CRUISE NEW ZEALAND IN SMALL SHIP LUXURY
Last Minute Deals This weekly column highlights hot deals on cruises departing soon – ideal for our spontaneous readers. Check out this week’s cruise bargain:
Bay of Islands and Aucklands’ Hauraki Gulf
Seven-day Pacific Island cruise onboard Pacific Pearl • From: $679 • Departs: 27 October 2012 • Visits: Noumea and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia • Includes: seven-night cruise accommodation, all onboard meals, onboard gratuities, and port charges and taxes. • Contact: www.ecruising.travel
Contact IEC or your Travel Professional Phone DSM 02 9543 0443 Freephone 1800 584 869 info@islandescape.co.nz www.islandescapecruises.com
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
Page 2
JMAK=
Follow us on:
: ( ( . / <
ZZZ FUXLVHZHHNO\ FRP DX Tuesday 07 August 2012
Just one click away from keeping up to date with all the breaking news as it comes to hand...
Silver Shadow in Asia
Crystal makeover complete
GUESTS who book onboard Silver Shadow’s 2012 nine or 11-day sailings from Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore, will receive US$1,000 onboard spending credit per suite. Fares for the Asian itineraries start from US$5,399 per person, double occupancy, in a Vista Suite, and each of the six cruises includes an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. For more details on Silver Shadow’s itineraries visit your travel agent.
CRYSTAL Symphony has completed her twoweek “extreme makeover” and now sports redesigned public spaces including the Avenue Saloon, Palm Court Lounge (pictured below), Galaxy Showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, Fantasia and Waves ‘junior cruisers’ area and the Tender Landing/passenger boarding area. The work’s completion marks the conclusion of a US$65 million five year plan from Crystal Cruises to redesign every room onboard Symphony. Speaking in the wake of the drydock, Crystal’s President Gregg Michel said “We wanted to create something both highly contemporary and yet extremely accessible”. “The ultimate result is all our guests’ favourite gathering places now feeling even more welcoming, while also offering the stylish sophistication and comfortable elegance luxury travellers look for in a holiday setting, and expect from Crystal,” he added. In addition to revamping the public areas, the “extreme makeover” also saw Symphony’s staterooms fitted out with new “bells and whistles”, whilst her paddle tennis court was resurfaced, her tender shuttles were spruced up, and her galley was updated, and she enjoyed general maintenance and detailing ship-wide from her propellers and boilers to her bridge and lifeboats.
Did You Know? Holland America Line ♦ Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam’s weekly food consumption includes approximately 5,205 litres of milk, 23,000 eggs and 26,705 kilos of fresh produce. ♦ Holland America Line spends on average US$4 million dollars on artwork per ship. There are 100 plus works of art on every ship – the oldest piece is a 2,000 year old Han Chinese figure on the ms Rotterdam. On the new ship Nieuw Amsterdam, launched July 2010, it took seven months to design and create the atrium sculpture and 35 five plus artists are represented. In addition, all 15 ships offer an iPod art tour with at least 26 stops to listen. ♦ Holland America Line receives approximately 2 palettes of flowers on board each ship each week. Dianthus is a floral provider based out of the Netherlands that supplies fresh flowers to all of our ships, worldwide. They also train our florists, with a full-scale training program in Jakarta. Each of our florists goes through a 2 month training process with Dutch floral designers, to learn all of the basic knowledge about being a florist.
KID set to rock the sea? For some the idea of being stuck on a ship with nothing but Kid Rock music, fans and the man himself would be akin to water torture, but for others it is a dream come true. And it is this select group of Kid Rock aficionados that has led to the announcement of the fourth annual Kid Rock sailing, onboard Norwegian Pearl. Departing from Miami on 06 March 2013, the four-night Chillin’ cruise will include Kid Rock performances, sweaty rocker fans and themed parties.
Iceland circumnavigation NEXT year National Geographic Expeditions’ Explorer will complete a 10-day navigation of Iceland, departing roundtrip from Reykjavik. The voyage will start by exploring the West Coast of Iceland, before heading to Ísafjördur, then Iceland’s Northern Coast, Mývatn and Húsavík, Langanes, Djúpivogur, and the Westman Islands. The voyage is priced from US$7,990. See your travel agent for details.
Costa gets environmental
Yangtze Wonders
15 Days from $4450 25 Years’ experience Exciting new itineraries Helen’s Choice Bonuses No Hidden Extras Intimate group sizes
3 2 5 7 + 2 / (
Shanghai
Xian
Yichang
Beijing
Yangtze River
Shanghai
Chongqing
Beijing
Inclusions: Return Airfares - 4 To 5 Star Quality Accommodation - Most Meals - Sightseeing - Evening Entertainment - English Speaking Guide - Travel Kit - Visa For Australian Passport Holders - Taxes
Call 1300 788 328 or visit helenwongstours.com Conditions: Prices are per person twin share ex. SYD, MEL, BNE, ADL, PER & includes taxes and fuel surcharges, valid for departures from Apr’12 – Nov’12, seasonal surcharge apply. Please check with Helen Wong’s Tours for exact departure dates. Prices & taxes are current at time of brochure printing 15 Sep ‘11. and are subject to availability and change without notice at time of booking. All other conditions as per Helen Wong’s Tours current brochure range. 3146 Lic.No.2TA4103
COSTA Cruises’ Costa Pacifica is set to pilot the world’s first ever shipboard experimental project involving the use of innovative techniques and methods for several types of waste: packaging, biodegradable waste and paper – with very specific objectives regarding reduction at the source and recycling. The Sustainable Cruise project is co-funded by the European Commission and will see Pacifica coordinate with European port waste disposal facilities to increase opportunities for recycling and reuse, whilst Pacifica’s “wet waste” (such as food) will also be pulped and turned into compost. The project also aims to set up a new voluntary certification scheme for shipboard waste treatment – and its effects in terms of CO2 reduction – possibly paving the way for the introduction of specific EU environmental legislation for shipping.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
Page 3
JMAK=
Follow us on: Just one click away from keeping up to date with all the breaking news as it comes to hand...
: ( ( . / <
ZZZ FUXLVHZHHNO\ FRP DX Tuesday 07 August 2012
Reykjavik - Kangerlussuaq aboard Le Boréal by:Roderick Eime Travelling again with Compagnie du Ponant reminds me that the world of expedition cruising is changing rapidly. The older, much loved and trusted vessels of the former Soviet oceanographic fleet and converted Baltic ferries are seeing their final years as this new echelon of state-of-the-art, purpose-built, environmentally friendly ships take their place, luring those previously sitting on the fence with adventure cruising. While I personally hope there will always be someone like NZ’s harder-edged Heritage Expeditions continuing to offer wafer-thin niche voyages to unheard-of locations, the expedition sector is fast becoming more mainstream and it falls to companies like Ponant with their mix of modern, supremely comfortable ships and exciting destinations to take up the reins. I might lament that expedition cruising is no longer the sole domain of the determined and resilient eco-adventurer, yet more people than ever before are visiting the world’s special places. Hopefully the more who do will vow to keep them special. This trip also afforded a glimpse of Iceland, a mid-Atlantic country more recently known for economic collapse and unpronounceable volcanoes. Personally I found the otherwise overlooked little folk museums at Hafnarfjörður just near the wharf enthralling. Geysers are great, but humans make history. Greenland, where we will spend most of our time on this cruise, is experiencing unprecedented melting of its huge ice cap. Glaciers are collapsing, filling the bays with bergs made of millennia-old ice while Inuit hunters who once patrolled in seal-skin canoes and harpoons, now motor out with rifles and come home to demountable cabins.
Glacier
Cruise Weekly is Australia’s favourite online cruising publication. In production since 2007, Cruise Weekly is published each Tuesday, with a further travel industry update each Thursday. Cruise Weekly is free and is sent to subscribers via email as an Adobe Acrobat PDF document. Sign up for a free subscription at www.cruiseweekly.com.au. PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Phone: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221
Just as well too I remembered to pack my tie as the call-up came to join Captain Etienne Garcia at his table for dinner. Captain Garcia, like so many modern ships’ masters, is an agreeable combination of decades of nautical experience, a personable, congenial character and a keen eye for public relations. With a firm command of English, albeit with a thick Gallic flavouring, he enthralled the table with tales of his seafaring adventures with an obvious and justified pride in his current command. “I’m looking forward to scouting Kamchatka with Nicolas (Dubreuil) our chef d’expédition,” said Capt Garcia, “we’re going to charter this little Russian boat, with maybe just six cabins to explore the new territories we visit with Le Soléal next year. Our Northwest Passage will be a marvellous too.” With Le Soléal, the third vessel of this type (Le Boréal being the first and prototype) joining the Ponant fleet next year, it follows that the company will be looking to add more enriching voyages to the sailing calendar. As you read this, the other three Ponant vessels are enjoying some hedonistic cruising in the Mediterranean, although Le Levant leaves the company in November to join Paul Gaugin in Tahiti. Le Diamant was sold last year and is now cruising as Ocean Diamond under charter to Quark Expeditions, while the namesake sailing ship, Le Ponant, will remain as company mascot. For information on all Ponant sailings, visit Travel the World www.traveltheworld.com.au. Rod flew with Air Canada, the only airline to offer daily non-stop flights from Sydney to Vancouver. For information see www.aircanada.com.
Hvalso
Publisher/Managing Editor: Bruce Piper Editor: Louise Goldsbury Assistant Editor: Amanda Collins Contributors: Roderick Eime and Chantel Long Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Cruise Weekly is part of the Travel Daily Group:
Zodiac
Advertising and Marketing: Magda Herdzik, Lisa Martin and Christie-Lee Lachance Email: advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au Business Manager: Jenny Piper Email: accounts@traveldaily.com.au
4RAVEL $AILY (KTUV YKVJ VJG PGYU
Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of Cruise Weekly no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
Page 4
Oceania Cruises
Explore
is proud to be a member of Chaîne des
YOUR WORLD
Rôtisseurs, the world’s most prestigious
29 CRUISES ON SALE
gastronomic society
Departures from August 2012 - May 2013
devoted to the art of fine dining.
FROM
$
2,165
PLUS SHIPBOARD CREDITS OF US$300 to US$500# PER STATEROOM ON SELECT SAILINGS
Taste
THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA
Claiming to serve “the finest cuisine at sea” might be a bold statement if not for legendary Master Chef Jacques Pépin being the Executive Culinary Director of Oceania Cruises. The team of immensely gifted and highly innovative chefs onboard Marina, Riviera, Regatta & Nautica work their considerable magic in each of Oceania’s distinctive specialty restaurants – all of which can be enjoyed at no additional charge. The intimate nature of the midsized ships enables each meal to be prepared à la minute, nothing need ever be rushed or produced en masse and dining each evening is an event to be celebrated. Menus artfully reflect the regions where our ships sail, enhancing the experience, adding authenticity and ensuring tremendous variety. The world of cruising has changed.
The only cooking school at sea to offer hands-on instruction Produced in conjunction with Bon Appétit, America’s premier publication MLH[\YPUN Ä UL MVVK HUK ^PUL Expert Master Chefs provide instruction in a professional kitchen atmosphere
Taste The W orld
THE FOOD AND FLAVORS OF OCEANIA CRUISES
4 ( % '2 !. $ $).). ' 2//- s *!#15%3 s ,! 2%3%26% s 0 / ,/ '2),, s 0 2 )6 % % 2%$ '). '%2 s 4 %22!#% #!&% s 4/ 3# !.! s 7!6%3 '2),,
Expand your knowledge through shore side events and market tours Learn everything from regional cuisines to barbecuegrilling Our hands-on classes are perfect for every aspiring chef
TERMS & CONDITIONS: From pricing based on Marina 31 August 2012 on an Inside stateroom.*Featured on Marina and Riviera ships #Shipboard credit are in US$ per stateroom and cannot be redeemed for cash or further discounts off cruise fare. It may only be used for onboard services. Any unused credit will be forfeited at the end of the cruise. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to correct errors and omissions. Complete terms and conditions can be found in Oceania Cruises Explore Your World brochure.
For further information, contact your Travel Agent, or call 02 9959 1371