Cruise W E E K L Y
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Silversea serves tennis exclusive Silver Shadow passengers can reserve seats at the Australian Open – three months before ticket sales open to the public. Tennis fans have the opportunity to purchase a pre-cruise land package to the 2014 Australian Open when booking Silversea’s 19 January voyage from Melbourne to Bali. On sale as a two-day package on January 17 and 18 prior to the Silver Shadow departure, guests can enjoy reserved seating in the Rod Laver Arena, access to all outdoor courts, an official tournament program, access to exclusive bars, facilities, services and meals, plus access to the Melbourne Park precinct for night sessions. “Tickets for the Australian Open are not expected to go on sale to the general public
We’ve got loads of great Christmas and New Year cruises on offer.
Four-day MSC sale is coming COMMENCING from 9am next Tuesday 23 July, MSC Cruises will kick off its 96-hour cruise sale, with discounts of up to 46% off the company’s range of itineraries from numerous ports in Europe as well as Caribbean sailings, South America and the Arabian Peninsula. For more details, see www.bit.ly/msc96hr.
& VE 14 I 0 EW S 2 N LU IN C T EX AP
Festive Season Cruises
ROYAL Caribbean International has launched a range of Festive deals, with discounted rates, onboard credits & stateroom upgrades on sale. Up to $200 onboard credit is available per stateroom for voyages of five nights or more departing between 18-31 Dec, with a balcony upgrade offer valid on a nine-night South Pacific & Fiji Christmas cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas, departing on 18 Dec. Offers are valid for booking from 14-31 July see www.bit.ly/festiveroyal for more details.
TO
Royal Class
until early October, making this a very exclusive opportunity,” said Karen Christensen, general manager and director sales and marketing Australasia for Silversea. “We’re delighted to offer our guests this unique chance to witness some of the biggest names in tennis going head-to-head as they battle for the top prize.” Accommodation for the extension is at the Sofitel Melbourne Hotel on Collins Street, with transfers between the airport, hotel, tennis precinct and the port also included. Some meals at the hotel are included, as well as transfers between the airport, hotel, Australian Open and the ship. Priced at AU$3,589 per guest, based on double occupancy, this special land package requires advance booking through Silversea’s reservations department. For more information on the package or how to book on the departure to Bali, contact Silversea’s reservations department by phone on 1300 206 872 or visit www.silversea.com.
Christmas in July with Royal
Kimberley Coast on Aurora Aurora Expeditions has introduced a new itinerary offering an exploration of the Kimberley Coastline, Arnham Land & Cape York. The 23-day voyage operates departs Broome and travels to Cairns, visiting highlights including Horizontal Falls, the Tiwi Islands and Bigge Island, among many more. Scheduled to depart on 06 Oct 2014, cabins are priced from $14,800 per person twin share.
Cooking up a SeaDream storm
Terms and conditions apply
SEADREAM Yacht Club will offer a selection of specialist Asian dishes and a signature Japanese menu when its SeaDream II heads to Asia from Oct this year until Apr 2014. “We want our guests to feel they are totally immersing themselves in the Asian experience, be they ashore or dining aboard,” SeaDream Yacht Club president Bob Lepisto said.
COMPANION FLY FREE JUST PAY AIR TAXES FROM $850 PER PERSON*
Blue Man Group ticket winner
Hurry! Limited Earlybird Offers Available
CONGRATULATIONS to Shane Kliese from NSW who was the winner of last week’s Blue Man Group competition in Cruise Weekly. Shane has won a double pass to attend the Blue Man Group’s spectacular performance at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre on 11 August, which will be accompanied by a live band.
RIVER CRUISING
CALL 1300 278 278 or visit www.aptouring.com.au *Conditions apply. Contact APT for full terms & conditions. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619 Lic. No. 30112 MKT11913
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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cruise W E E K L Y
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Recipe of the Month
Warm Chocolate Melting Cake (serves 4) This week’s recipe comes from Carnival Cruise Lines
Ingredients • 170 grams dark chocolate • 170 grams butter • 4 eggs • 90 grams sugar • 60 grams flour
Preparation Melt the chocolate and butter Mix the eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes, add the flour Add the egg and flour mix to the melted chocolate and stir to combine Pour the mix in a small ramekin Bake in the oven at 200°C for 14 minutes Serve with ice cream and garnish with fruit NOTE: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature and chocolate is warm enough while making the mixture.
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New USA holiday cruises launched American Cruise Lines has introduced Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations with Southern and Cajun themes. A NEW option has opened up for Christmas river cruises in the United States. The operator of the newest riverboats and small cruise ships in the US is now offering three special cruises on the Mississippi. Departing 21 December 2013, the Southern Christmas celebration held on the Historic South and Golden Isles itinerary explores the festive traditions of South Carolina, Georgia and Eastern Florida. The eight-day program includes an oyster roast on the beach at Sapelo Island, a night at the Charleston Festival of Lights, a tour of the Ritz Carlton’s gingerbread houses on Amelia Island, ornament making workshops, carol sing-alongs and gifts for children. On the Cajun Christmas cruise departing
Million dollar Pandaw refit PANDAW River Expeditions has announced both its Colonial Steamers will this year undergo full renovation works in a project estimated to cost in the region of US$1 million. The Colonial RV Mekong Pandaw and the RV Tonle Pandaw will have new bathrooms fitted, along with air conditioning and French windows opening up the panoramic views on the promenade deck. Overall capacity on both vessels is being reduced in order to make way for a larger spa facility, a new gym, art gallery and library. Works will be completed in time for both vessels to resume service from Oct this year.
A Grandeur Baltimore return ROYAL Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas, which was partially damaged by fire earlier this year, has returned to service in Baltimore following repairs in the Bahamas. Several weeks of investigations have failed to conclusively identify a cause of the fire. The fire broke out in May (CW 28 May) at the rear of the ship while travelling to the line’s private Bahamian island of Cococay, with 2,200 passengers and 800 crew on board at the time and taking two hours to extinguish. Whilst the ship has resumed operations for paying passengers, some ongoing repair work continues on a number of crew cabins.
the same day, passengers will experience the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee, a concert, and lights tours at Oak Alley and Houmas House Plantations. Departing 28 December, the Old Fashioned New Year’s Eve cruise from Charleston to Jacksonville sees a fireworks display over Savannah, Georgia, and a party onboard the 104-passenger Independence, followed by a New Year’s Day brunch. For more details about the ships and ports, see www.americancruiselines.com.
Extensions on ice from Quark A TOTAL of 33 voyages to Antarctica will be operated by Quark Expeditions in its newly released 2014-15 season, the company says. Two popular voyages have been extended, with the Antarctica’s Scotia Arc: The Ultimate Insider’s Voyage trip now boosted to 25 days. This itinerary will travel down the eastern side of Chile along the southernmost tips of the Andes before embarking to the Falklands and South Georgia in Antarctica prior to a new venture to the South Sandwich archipelago. Additionally, two departures of the 23-day Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia: Epic Antarctic will be run, which journeys further south into the Peninsula. All itineraries will be operated by the Carbon Neutral vessel Ocean Diamond.
Concordia delayed further UPRIGHTING of the stricken Costa Concordia vessel off the coast of Giglio, Italy continues, however the salvage crew responsible have said it is now likely to be next year before the ship is refloated and towed away. The commissioner of the operation, Franco Gabrielli, says he needs more information from the salvage team as to what extent rocks have penetrated the side of the ship, and the real condition of the ship’s hull rather than continued simulations and hypotheses.
Special winter Norway fares DISCOVER The World Cruising has launched a new range of half-board winter-time fares on 2013 Hurtigruten Classic Norway voyages. Valid on 6, 7, 11 and 12 day sailings departing between 01 November - 31 December 2013, fares start from AU$1,060ppts for an Inside Cabin on a 6-night Kirkenes to Bergan cruise. For more information, ph 1800 623 627.
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Tuesday 16 July 2013
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P&O grace Vanuatu with handmade blankets Lovingly knitted by volunteer passengers aboard P&O Cruises vessels, the line recently delivered a plethora of new blankets to a Vanuatu hospital during a scheduled port-of-call. The blankets were made from hundreds of “Save the Children” knit kits as part of a new P&O partnership with the children’s charity. It turned out the initiative was incredibly popular with passengers, who responded in droves to invitations to participate in the mass knit, which saw more than 40 blankets made in a few short months. “It’s a fantastic activity that unites our passengers and crew in a great mission – after all, who could resist knitting blankets for little babies,” deputy cruise director Alun Sullivan said. “The blankets, beanies, jumpers and all the other garments knitted by P&O Cruises’ passengers will make a huge difference to children and newborns who will now be kept snug and warm during the cooler winter months. We’re so grateful to the cruise line and their passengers for supporting our work in Vanuatu,” Save The Children Australia country director Nichola Krey added.
Voyages to Antiquity season Boutique arts and culture cruising operation Voyages to Antiquity has launched its 2014 European season, with a range of departures sailing on the Aegean Odyssey. New for 2014 is a Grand Voyage travelling from Athens to Istanbul, through Egypt, while strong passenger demand has seen a boosted Black Sea operation to four departures. For more information on the range, see www.cruisetraveller.com.au.
Ocho Rios terminal upgrade JAMAICA’S Ocho Rios cruise ship terminal will benefit from a significant upgrade project unveiled late last week by the country’s Tourism Minister. The works will come as part of the Jamaica Tourism Enhancement Fund, which will also see the boardwalk linking the terminal with the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa.
P O R T H O L E
Pacific Jewel crew member Janita van Niekirk is pictured above donating the blankets to the maternity ward at the Vila Central Hospital, alongside Nichola Krey from Save The Children and Pacific Jewel Senior Nurse Liz Preston.
Final completion on Amareina WORK is nearly finished on APT’s newest European river cruising vessel Amareina, which has been relocated to Holland for final completion procedures. Amareina will join Amasonata as the two latest additions to the fleet in the 2014 season. Along with the two new ships, APT will launch its Royal Experience itineraries which offer higher service standards, top-end dining and customisable sightseeing. MEANWHILE, APT has released a preview Vietnam/Cambodia brochure ahead of the range’s full release later this year. The preview selection incorporates three itineraries with 22 departures from June next year to April 2015, allowing passengers to secure a stateroom ahead of the full program release, to take place in a few months.
Azamara racing into Monaco MOTOR racing fans have an opportunity to be in Monte Carlo at the same time as the 2014 Formula 1 Grand Prix through a new fly/ cruise/tour package from ecruising.travel. Priced from $6,549ppts, the itinerary departs 16 May 2014 and includes a three-night Dubai stopover before continuing on to Nice. A four-night round-trip cruise aboard the Azamara Quest visiting St Tropez & Portofino is also included, however tickets to the race itself are not included. For more details, phone 1300 369 848.
OFFICIALS in the Texas cruise port of Galveston have finally thought of a solution to try and prevent a repeat of a massive storm 113 years ago which destroyed the town, in what remains the USA’s greatest natural disaster. The Galveston Park board of trustees are set to spend US$140,000 on a plan to harvest seaweed that has washed up on shore, which will be used to strengthen sand dunes to withstand any water damage stemming from future storms. Harvested sargassum will be packed into the sand dunes, apparently not taking despite the seaweed not smelling very good. The implanted seaweed, once it degrades, can then serve as natural fertiliser for natural growth, which will in turn provide protection against hurricanes.
Divina taking USA bookings MSC Cruises has opened reservations on the first departures by MSC Divina from its new home port of Miami, with the inaugural cruise on track to leave on 20 Nov. The first voyage will be a three night sailing celebrating the liner’s new American home, after which it will alternate Western & Eastern seven-night Caribbean itineraries. MEANWHILE, the company has confirmed the departure of its UK & Ireland managing director Giulio Libutti from the company via mutual agreement, after a five year tenure in the position. Former sales and customer service director at Carnival UK, Giles Hawke, has been appointed to the role to commence from Nov.
Seven continents for Zegrahm FOURTEEN voyages reaching every corner of the globe is on offer as part of the 2014 range of voyages from Zegrahm Expeditions. Operated by the Sea Adventurer, Isabela II, Island Sky, and Caledonian Sky, between 40100 passengers can be accommodated on each vessel along with a knowledgeable team of naturalists, historians and scientists. Highlighted voyages include expeditions to New Guinea, Russia’s White Sea, Polynesia from Fiji to Tahiti, the Seychelles and more.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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Tuesday 16 July 2013
Hong Kong embraces surge in cruising by: Roderick Eime HONG Kong has long been recognised as one of the world’s most dramatic ports. Embraced by towering hills, the vast stalk-like cityscape rises high into the low clouds along the narrow edge of foreshore that supports a population of around 7 million. With the imminent opening of the gleaming new Kai Tak cruise terminal on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong harbour, Australians will soon have a new way to experience one of their all-time favourite travel destinations. Opened in 1966, the current Ocean Terminal is limited to ships of around 100,000 Gross Tonnage and 10m draft, while the new Kai Tak cruise terminal will permit two 360m vessels of up to 220,000 Gross Tonnage to disembark and clear 5,400 passengers and 1,200 crew at a rate of 3,000 per hour. In a test of the terminal’s capability, Royal Caribbean’s 311m, 138,279 Gross Tonnage Mariner of the Seas was the first mega luxury cruise liner to dock at the two-berth terminal in June this year, with the event hailed as a success. “Kai Tak was the site of our legendary airport (closed in 1998) and is now turning a historic page by connecting Hong Kong with the rest of the world through the seven seas,” Commissioner of Tourism Philip Yung said to AFP. “With the addition of this new facility, Hong Kong is in full gear to receive mega cruise ships” Ships’ masters should also be pleased with the simplified berthing procedures at Kai Tak, which is much closer to the harbour exit. The terminal will deliver passengers directly to the East Kowloon
A rendering of the completed terminal
waterfront and commands spectacular views of Victoria Harbour. It is within easy reach of a number of key attractions including Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon Walled City Park, Chi Lin Nunnery / Nan Lian Garden and Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar. Also located nearby is Festival Walk. This shopping complex is just 10 minutes away and houses many of the world’s best-known brands. Quickest airport access is 10 km by road to Kowloon Station Airport Express Line where departing passengers can also check-in for their cruise. Currently, around 50,000 Australians visit HK every year, cramming into the city’s busy hotels, running at an occupancy rate approaching 90 per cent. Cruise passengers from all markets spent almost HK$75million in 2012, up nearly 6 per cent from 2011, not counting those who embarked or disembarked their cruise in HK. It is likely that HK’s overall tourism arrivals will exceed 50 million in 2013 if the current 16% growth rate is maintained. The opening of the new terminal signals HK’s intention to transform the city into a major regional cruise hub which will likely spike the city’s tourism figures yet further, so it remains to be seen whether HK’s already near capacity hotel market will cope with the new influx. The next arrival at Kai Tak is RCCL’s Voyager of the Seas on 15th October, followed by Diamond Princess and Superstar Aquarius. For more information on attractions and idea for visiting Hong Kong, see the Hong Kong Tourism Board Travel Site.
Inside the brand new facility
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A traditional welcome for Mariner of the Seas
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