JMAK= : ( ( . / < Tuesday 13 November 2012
Is the Golden Age of cruise returning? The romance of the traditional UK to Australia liner service may not be relegated to the distant past, with plans to resurrect the route. THE initiative, titled Project Orient Ltd, is the brainchild of a group of British business men, including former Fred Olsen Cruise Line stalwart Nigel Lingard, and would see the
Midweek P&O special P&O Cruises will unleash mid-week madness this week, with a plethora of cruise deals available for three days only starting this Wednesday, across the cruise line's P&OIslands, P&OExplorer and P&OSeaBreaks itineraries. The madness includes 20 cruise specials for voyages departing from Sydney and 11 deals on cruises from Brisbane. Deals on Sydney fares start from $199 per person quad share for a three-night P&OSeaBreak cruise, whilst Brisbane fares start from $549 per person quad share for a seven-night cruise to Noumea, Lifou and Vila. For more information, see your local travel agent.
Cruising for romance 74% OF AUSTRALIAN cruisers believe that taking a cruise holiday will put the romance back into a tired relationship and love life. The figures come from a new national survey, undertaken by P&O Cruises in the wake of the start of the 2012/13 summer season. According to the results of the True Love at Sea survey 39% of respondents said their partner was more romantic during a cruise, whilst 38% said that their cruise holiday made their relationship stronger, and 41% would recommend a cruise to rekindle relationships and love lives. Interestingly when asked what cruise features contributed most to onboard romance, two-thirds of participants said being able to relax (65%), whilst 17% said being able to have quality time enjoying fine dining; 8% named onboard entertainment, and 4% said that couple time thanks to onboard kids clubs.
launch of a liner service between Southampton and Sydney. Plans for Project Orient include the building of two 100,000 ton vessels which, according to the company would deliver guests to Australian shores “the civilised way”. The duo would sail 12 Southampton to Sydney voyages per year which would take 20 days to reach Fremantle from Southampton, and 25-days to reach Sydney. Ports of call along the way would include Singapore and Mumbai amongst others, as well as a transit of the Suez Canal. According to the company, in both atmosphere and ports of call, the voyages would hark back to the “golden age of travel”, allowing guests to take time to enjoy the travel, facilities and service of the vessels, rather than rushing from place to place. At present the company is searching for the funding to make the dream a reality, and has said it is looking for equity of about £200m, with the remaining £650m set to be funded from debt. If all goes Project Orient’s way, it is hoped the services will launch in 2016.
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of CW features four pages of all the latest cruise news and photos.
Seabourn tickles tastebuds CRUISERS onboard Seabourn Quest's 116-day 2013 world cruise are in for a tasty treat, with Seabourn having secured a star studded lineup of culinary talents. The luminaries include award-winning chef, and author Michelle Bernstein; TV chef Robert Irvine; and the executive chef at the Oberoi Hotel in Bali, Enrico Wahl. Catherine Fallis, one of only a handful of female master sommeliers in the world, will also join the stellar line-up. As part of their onboard responsibilities the chefs will socialise with the guests and participate in culinary events such as cooking demonstrations and wine tasting parties onboard. O URN YT T ^ FL E RE .P XES. P P A RO 995 G T EU $ LUDIN IN
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Solstice savings this week TO celebrate the impending arrival of Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Cruises has launched a one-week sale offering free flights, half price deposits and onboard credit of up to $200. The sale is available on all Solstice sailings of five nights or longer departing between January and April 2013, including 12 or 18 night Australia to New Zealand or New Zealand to Australia sailings, and an 11-night Tropical Queensland Easter Cruise. Prices start from $1,995 for a 12-night Sydney to Auckland cruise departing 16 January 2013. See your travel agent for details, or visit www.celebritycruises.com.au.
Voyager’s Godmother announced VOYAGES of Discovery has announced British TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff as the Godmother of the 540-guest Voyager. As a presenter, Krestovnikoff specialises in natural history, marine conservation, archeology and wildlife.
BON VOYAGE Let Viking show you the real France on your next holiday. With all meals, accommodation, tours, gratuities included in the price, select one of the following: s 18-DAY GRAND TOUR OF FRANCE Paris – Nice, From $7,245 p.p* s 14-DAY TREASURES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE Nice – Chalon, From $6,045 p.p* s 8 -DAY PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY Paris – Normandy – Paris, From $2,945 p.p* s 8 -DAY PORTRAITS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE Chalon – Avignon, From $2,845 p.p* s 15-DAY FRANCE’S FINEST Avignon – Paris, From $5,645 p.p* Call 1800 River Cruise or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au
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Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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Cruise Calendar Cruise Weekly’s cruise calendar details upcoming port calls of passenger cruise ships at various destinations in Australia. SYDNEY Rhapsody of the Seas Radiance of the Seas Carnival Spirit Radiance of the Seas Dawn Princess Rhapsody of the Seas Sea Princess
Wed 14 Nov Thu 15 Nov Fri 16 Nov Sat 17 Nov Sat 17 Nov Sun 18 Nov Tue 20 Nov
BRISBANE Pacific Dawn Sun Princess
Sat 17 Nov Sun 18 Nov
MELBOURNE Volendam
Mon 19 Nov
ADELAIDE Volendam Volendam Volendam
Thu 15 Nov Fri 16 Nov Sat 17 Nov
HOBART Voyager of the Seas Volendam
Tue 13 Nov Tue 20 Nov
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: Seven-night Queensland cruise onboard Pacific Dawn • From: $809pp (Inside Cabin) • Departs: 14 Dec 2012 • Includes: seven-nights cruising and onboard meals and entertainment. • Itinerary: Whitsundays, Yorkeys Knob, Port Douglas, and Willis Island • Contact: ecruising.travel
MORE EARLYBIRD DEALS AVAILABLE Click here for information on available cruises ¬
*conditions apply – see website
WA sets its sight on cruise tourism Cruisers should strap themselves in for a wild western ride, with the WA government announcing its commitment to increase its slice of the cruising pie by 2020. THE ambitious goal is part of the West Australian Government’s plan to double the value of tourism in the state from $6 billion in 2010 to $12 billion in 2020, of which cruising is set to play “an important role”. It is perhaps not surprising that the WA Government is planning on utilising the power of cruise to reach its target, with the 2011-12 figures demonstrating extraordinary growth in the sector, generating $185.7 million in expenditure, up a whopping 150% from the 2010-11 season. “Western Australia is viewed as both an inviting and a safe travel destination for cruise ships,” a statement from Tourism Western Australia said. “With a Mediterranean climate in the south and tropical climate in the north, Western Australia has the capacity to support cruise ship visits year-round, and many of the key WA ports are already established tourism destinations,” the statement added. WA has nine ports currently in operation: Fremantle, Broome, Bunbury, Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Exmouth, Port Hedland and Augusta. The new Western Australian Cruise Shipping Strategic Plan 2012-2020 identified opportunities the state could capitalise on including the fact that it is the closest western destination to South East Asia, the world’s fastest growing tourism source market; the ability of WA to “deliver quality indigenous experiences to cruise ship passengers”; an increase in home berthed ships in Australia as ships are relocated to SE Asia/Australian waters; and an increasing number of baby
Concordia website CRUISERS interested in the progress of the Costa Concordia wreck removal process can now follow it via a new website, www.theparbucklingproject.com. Created via a partnership between Costa and Titan/Micoperi the site is available to view in both Italian and English.
boomers coming into retirement. The plan also identifies four key areas which the Government will work on in order to boost cruise tourism in the state including: Destination Awareness and Marketing, which will see the state forge relationships with the cruise industry with the aim of increasing cruise ship visitation, length of stay and expenditure; and Port Infrastructure & Policy, to identify gaps in port infrastructure and amenities and “implement necessary activities to improve capacity to facilitate growth within the cruise centre”. The other key areas include: Strengthening Industry Capacity and Ownership, which will facilitate a cooperative statewide approach to realise the state’s cruise industry growth; and Landside Destination Development, which will focus on visitor servicing infrastructure and development of new shore excursion options and pre and post cruise touring activities. MEANWHILE, it is interesting to note that the report was written prior to the cancellation of Athena’s West Australian season (CW 01 Nov), particularly given that a major contributor to the growth of cruising in WA in 2011-12, according to the report, was expenditure from Athena and Sun Princess being based out of Fremantle for numerous trips during the season.
Sunshine will usher end of Destiny CARNIVAL Cruise Lines has unveiled details of the upcoming refit of Carnival Destiny, (which once completed will turn the vessel into Carnival Sunshine), including the fact that when she debuts, Sunshine will boast a topdeck WaterWorks area. The WaterWorks will include five waterslides (including the company’s longest slide ever, the 334-foot Twister that careens out over the side of the ship) and 40 interactive water features (such as a 1,135 litre dump bucket). The 15-year old vessel will go into a sevenweek drydock in February next year, with the work set to cost the company around US$155 million. Other key features set to be installed during her drydock work include a Cuban-themed Havana Bar, milkshake parlour Shake Spot, JavaBlue Cafe, an Asian restaurant, a pizzeria, as well as Guy’s Burger Joint, the RedFrog Pub, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, EA SPORTS Bar, the Alchemy Bar, and the Bluelguana Cantina Mexican restaurant.
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HAL drives classic cruise experience
Oosterdam’s Atrium
CRUISING’s fabulous era of elegance is being celebrated and orchestrated on a regular basis by the Holland America Line, with Cruise Weekly recently treated to a sampling of the opulence on a four-day sailing from New Zealand to Sydney aboard the MS Oosterdam. HAL make no secret, nor should they, that their crew is like a family, with every member from the captain, to cooks and cleaners rightly celebrated at the end of every voyage as they farewell passengers, many of whom have become personal friends in their own right. While oozing sophistication and charm throughout its ten decks, at no point on the vessel does it ever feel crowded or squashed. Dining options abound, with many operated in a regular rotation in order to maintain a varied menu, while in-room dining is also an option throughout. Oosterdam’s culinary prowess is demonstrated on a nightly basis, with many local ingredients sourced and prepared into wondrous creations, and more than 12,000 meals daily overseen by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin’s careful eye. During the voyage, a stop was made at the peaceful Bay of Islands region, with a shore excursion to the Kawiti glow-worm caves and
nearby North Mission House, one of the oldest homes in NZ and a pivotal scene to the signing of documents founding the nation of New Zealand. Oosterdam Hotel Manager Robert Versteeg (pictured below) has near seen it all in his years on the high seas, and admires the personal relationships formed with his crew and the quirks of some of his passengers. Versteeg referred to an example where a guest on a long voyage chose to modify his stateroom somewhat to give it a more homely touch, moving his couch onto the balcony and building a makeshift bar in the vacant space. Onboard entertainment is never far away, from informative lectures about historical figures relevant to destinations being visited, to glitzy musical performances, workshops useful in everyday life to the just plain creative such as lesson in how to make animal shapes out of ordinary towels. Captain Henk Draper told CW during the voyage that he believes HAL has a unique place in the market, aimed at those seeking a more relaxed cruising style, adaptable to suit every taste and delivering that classic atmosphere of cruising’s bygone era of charm and pure class.
Fancy some prawns by the pool? UAE multiple entry visa P&O Cruises is jazzing up its poolside Grill offering by giving guests the option to order a bucket of prawns or chicken wings whilst soaking up the sun after a dip in the pool. The new bucket options come with fresh lemon and dipping sauce respectively, and can be purchased individually or with a beer or wine accompaniment. “On a relaxing cruise escape there are few things better than lounging by the pool with some great Australian seafood, enjoying the sunshine,” said Sture Myrmell, Vice President Hotel Operations for Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises.
AFTER months of planning, the United Arab Emirates has introduced multiple entry UAE visas for cruise-ship passengers. The move will make day trips much easier for cruisers, and will cut down on paperwork.
Free flight with North Star in WA GUESTS who book North Star's popular West Coast Explorer cruise departing 07 March 2013 before 19 November 2012 will receive a complimentary flight from Dampier to Perth. The voyage sails from Geraldton to Dampier, and takes guests to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Steep Point, Ningaloo Reef, and the Monte Bello Islands. See your travel agent for details.
Bring your own wine ROYAL Caribbean International is now allowing guests to bring two bottles of wine onboard per cabin per cruise. Previously guests have not been allowed to bring alcohol onboard Royal Caribbean ships. The new rule allows guests to bring wine onboard, but restricts them from drinking it anywhere in the ship excepting their cabin and cabin balcony. Guests who consume the wine they bring onboard outside of their cabin will be charged a $25 corkage fee by the cruise line. Royal Caribbean said the change recognised the fact that cruisers “may have a particular bottle of wine or champagne that they would like to bring on board to commemorate a special day or event while on their cruise”.
3 2 5 7 + 2 / ( ROYAL Suite available! P&O Cruises utilised Pacific Jewel’s prime position at Sydney’s Circular Quay last Friday to try to lure Prince Charles and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall onboard. The dangling carrot involved a large 24x7 metre banner unfurled across Jewel’s bow which read “Royal Suite Available”, and which was able to be seen by the Prince and Duchess as they strolled through Circular Quay on Friday. “Of course, from the Captain's cocktails through to our fine dining restaurants, everyone on our ships is treated like royalty, but we wanted Prince Charles to know we'd love to have him and the Duchess of Cornwall onboard too,” said P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall. The Prince is pictured right with Jewel and her cheeky message sitting just behind him. As yet, there has been no word as to whether the Prince will take up the offer.
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Islands Made for Cruising: Part Two by: Roderick Eime Hideaway Island (Mele), Vanuatu, for snorkeling and diving The balmy island republic of Vanuatu has been on the list of tropical paradises since forever and especially since James A Michener made the whole place famous in Tales of the South Pacific under its former name of New Hebrides. Endowed with immaculate beaches and a laid-back, castaway culture, Vanuatu and Hideaway Island in particular, has allowed many regular cruise passengers the opportunity to sample some of the best diving and snorkelling anywhere in the world. Graham Selleck of Frog Dive, Sydney has travelled the world in search of great diving spots and needed no prompting when asked his favourite. “There are few places around the world where you can get off a cruise ship, large or small, and be diving among really beautiful coral and underwater marine species so close to port. The added advantage is that even folks who can’t scuba still have a great time just snorkelling in the marine reserve where the water is so clear and clean it’s amazing. Novice scuba divers can have an easy dive in warm water with plenty to see and there are even “first timer” lessons available too with the fully endorsed PADI Scuba Experience.” The island has recently added underwater ‘scooters’ and there is always the popular underwater post office for that special postcard. P&O are perhaps the most frequents visitors to Port Vila, but you can also check options with Carnival, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. Be sure to get your name down for the Hideaway Island excursion early, it’s bound to be popular. See what it’s all about at http://hideaway.com.vu/.
Divemaster, Ian Watson, at Hideaway Island, Vanuatu
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
South Georgia for Wildlife The impossibly remote island of South Georgia is now a regular inclusion on the more comprehensive Antarctic itineraries, bringing eco-tourists from around the world to visit the abandoned whaling stations and outrageously overpopulated wildlife sites. A honey pot for naturalists, the once threatened seal and penguin populations have more than bounced back thanks to rigorous conservation policies and an abundant marine food source. Dubbed “Survival Island” by Sir Richard Attenborough, he says, “The sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia is the only island suitable for breeding for thousands of miles in the Southern Ocean. Each spring, animals as disparate as the elephant and fur seals, king and macaroni penguins, albatross, and giant petrels visit the island to reproduce.” And do they ever! The hundreds of thousands of noisy King Penguins on Salisbury Plain, the raucous, boisterous herds of fur seals or the poetic, sublime choreography of the Wandering Albatross’s mating dance will leave you changed forever and a with a deep appreciation for the delicate balance of nature. History buffs too will recall Sir Ernest Shackleton’s momentous journey from Elephant Island in the longboat, James Caird, ended here. You’ll find the better Antarctic operators visit this island at least once or twice each season. Look for itineraries from One Ocean Expeditions, Aurora, Peregrine or Oceanwide. Official webpage: http://www.sgisland.gs.
King Penguin, South Georgia
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:
Titan Triggerf ish, Vanuatu
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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.
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