JMAK= : ( ( . / < Tuesday 18 December 2012
Australia joins global cruise body The International Cruise Council Australasia is one of nine national cruise industry associations that have today merged into a new united force. THE new organisation, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), has been formed to act as the voice of the global cruise industry, to improve coordination and communication, and to serve as a one-stop resource for the world's cruise lines and travel agents. Under the move, ICCA will be rebranded next year as Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (CLIAA). The body's eight other members include North America's Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the UK's Passenger Shipping Association (PSA/ACE), European Cruise Council (ECC), Asia Cruise Association (ACA), France's AFCC, Brazil's ABREMAR, Northwest and Canada Cruise Assn (NWCCA) and Alaska Cruise Association (ACA). ICCA's Sydney-based Chairman Gavin Smith and GM Brett Jardine will maintain their roles and report to the Australasian board as well as to the new global CEO of CLIA, Christine Duffy. Smith said the transformation of ICCA reflected the continuing growth of the cruise industry, both locally and globally. “Australasia is the fastest growing cruise
Forseti to indulge wine tastes VIKING River Cruises will take guests on a tour of the senses in 2014 with a new wine itinerary through France. Departing Bordeaux, the eight-day ‘Chateaux, Rivers & Wine’ cruise onboard Viking Forseti will include highlights such as wine tasting in Pauillac. See www.vikingrivercruises.com.
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s Cruise Weekly will be the last consumer issue for 2012, and features a full page from All Discovery Cruising (see p5). The team at CW would like to take the opportunity to thank our readers for all your loyal support this year. We would also like to wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and NYE. The first issue for 2013 will hit your inboxes on 08 January 2013. Until then, happy cruising.
market in the world, with cruise lines from around the globe sailing in our waters and carrying our passengers on cruises across the world, so it makes enormous sense for us to join with our international counterparts and create a cohesive global partnership,” he said. “This new structure will strengthen the cruise industry's voice in Australia and NZ and provide greater resources for the benefit of our travel agent and cruise line members." CLIA will be governed by a Global Executive Committee, chaired by Howard Frank, Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer of Carnival Corporation.
Sneek a peek at Preziosa MSC Cruises has given the world a glimpse of what to expect onboard MSC Preziosa when she launches in March next year. Newly unveiled details include the Doremi Castle Aqua Park to debut on Deck 16, which will include water sprays, fountains, water pistols, as well as drenching buckets, and water canons. There will also be a Vertigo waterslide which starts on Deck 18 and falls, twists and turns for 120 meters, and includes a nine-metre dip off the side of the ship in transparent tubing, as well as translucent bands of colour which will create a strobe effect. For more Preziosa details visit www.msccruises.com.au.
Falklands cruise dispute rears again SEABOURN and P&O Cruises UK have become the latest cruise lines caught up in the Falkland Islands dispute between Argentina and Great Britain. This year makes the 30th anniversary of the Falkland Islands conflict between the two world powers over sovereignty of the territory, which raged for 74 days and resulted in Argentina’s surrender. The Falklands have been under British control since 1765, however Argentina claimed sovereignty over the islands in 1820, and has pressed its case since then, eventually leading to the 1982 conflict. This anniversary year has seen several incidents involving cruise ships and Argentinean ports, with both Star Princess and Adonia being rejected entry to the port of Ushuaia because both ships had visited the Falklands, whilst this month AIDAcara cancelled its planned Falklands stop following protests in Buenos Aires. HAL’s Veendam also scrapped a call in Ushuaia this month. The latest incident however involved Seabourn Sojourn, which ran into problems this month whilst docked in the port in Buenos Aires, after workers from the United Maritime Workers Union (SOMU) prevented her departure. Sojourn was due to set sail on 04 December from Buenos Aires on a 15-day cruise of Patagonia to Valparaiso in Chile, when workers stopped the ship from departing, demanding that the Captain agree to scrap the ship’s scheduled call in the Falklands. According to British media reports, a statement from Tony Lopez of the Malvinas Resistance group (which was supporting the
SOMU in its action) said that Sojourn was a “pirate ship” which if it visited the Falklands would be “violating the Gaucho Rivero law, designed to stop British ships from 'plundering' Argentine resources”. Lopez added that Sojourn would not be allowed to leave until there was confirmation that it would not sail to the Falklands for its scheduled eight-hour call at the Island’s capital, Port Stanley. Seabourn however played down the controversy saying the delay was “due to the temporary unavailability of a required tugboat escort.” The company also confirmed that the ship departed eight hours later than expected and resumed its schedule calling at Montevideo and the Falklands. “Seabourn has operated scheduled cruises between Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and the Falkland Islands for a number of years in full compliance with Argentine laws, and intends to continue to do so according to our published schedules, dependent upon local weather and sea conditions,” the company said in a statement. Meanwhile P&O UK has announced that it will scrap both Arcadia and Adonia’s planned 2013 World Cruise stops in Argentina, due to the problems with port calls to the country. “As a British cruise company we cannot allow ourselves to be the subject of any political dispute or put our customers and crew into any situation where their enjoyment may be compromised,” said P&O Cruises UK. “With this in mind, we have had to take the difficult decision to remove all Argentinean ports of call from Arcadia and Adonia's 2013 itineraries,” the cruise line added.
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 Pacific Jewel Oosterdam Radiance of the Seas Voyager of the Seas Celebrity Solstice Pacific Pearl Carnival Spirit Rhapsody of the Seas Pacific Jewel Sea Princess Radiance of the Seas Crystal Symphony Crystal Symphony Oosterdam Silver Shadow Voyager of the Seas Seabourn Odyssey Costa neoRomantica Rhapsody of the Seas Costa neoRomantica Pacific Pearl Carnival Spirit
Tue 18 Dec Tue 18 Dec Wed 19 Dec Thu 20 Dec Fri 21 Dec Sun 23 Dec Thu 27 Dec Thu 27 Dec Fri 28 Dec Fri 28 Dec Sat 29 Dec Sun 30 Dec Mon 31 Dec Tue 01 Jan Wed 02 Jan Fri 04 Jan Sat 05 Jan Sun 06 Jan Mon 07 Jan Mon 07 Jan Tue 08 Jan Tue 08 Jan Tue 08 Jan
MELBOURNE Diamond Princess Celebrity Solstice Dawn Princess Seven Seas Voyager Costa neoRomantica Crystal Symphony Silver Shadow
Tue 18 Dec Wed 26 Dec Fri 28 Dec Sun 30 Dec Wed 02 Jan Fri 04 Jan Tue 08 Jan
BRISBANE Radiance of the Seas Pacific Dawn Sun Princess Silver Shadow Seabourn Odyssey Pacific Dawn
Sat 22 Dec Thu 27 Dec Sun 30 Dec Wed 02 Jan Fri 04 Jan Sat 05 Jan
CAIRNS Silver Shadow Seabourn Odyssey
Sun 30 Dec Mon 31 Dec
FREMANTLE Seven Seas Voyager
Mon 24 Dec
DARWIN Seabourn Odyssey Silver Shadow
Wed 26 Dec Wed 26 Dec
ADELAIDE
Seven Seas Voyager Crystal Symphony
Fri 28 Dec Mon 07 Jan
MORE EARLYBIRD DEALS AVAILABLE Click here for information on available cruises ¬
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Alaskan Dream debuts Baranof Dream The 2013 season will see the expansion of Alaskan Dream Cruises, a Native-owned smallship line based in Sitka. BUILDING on the company's passenger growth last year, Alaskan Dream Cruises will launch a third vessel, the 62-passenger Baranof Dream. The new ship is set to introduce a longer itinerary than its fleetmates, Alaskan Dream
Norwegian’s 2014 outlook NORWEGIAN Cruise Line will position four ships in Europe and three in Alaska during the northern summer season 2014. The European line-up will see Norwegian Epic return to Europe for her fourth season sailing a series of 24 seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain and from Rome (between May and Oct 2014); whilst Norwegian Star will sail a series of nine-day Baltic Capitals cruises from Copenhagen (May and Sep 2014); Norwegian Jade will sail alternating seven-day cruises to the Greek Isles and Adriatic, Greece and Turkey from Venice; and Norwegian Spirit will offer 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona or Venice (May and Oct 2014). Meanwhile, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel will sail Alaskan waters from Seattle, whilst Norwegian Sun will take sail from Vancouver and Whittier. During the season Norwegian Jewel will sail a series of 18 seven-day Sawyer Glacier cruises (between May and Sep 2014), whilst Norwegian Pearl will embark on a series of 19 seven-day Glacier Bay itineraries (between May and Sep 2014). Norwegian Sun will sail from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whittier, Alaska and from Whittier to Vancouver, (between May and Sep 2014). Sailing north from Vancouver on Norwegian Sun, guests will enjoy a cruise through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, as well as visits to Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau; whilst on her southbound itineraries from Whittier, guests will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier and will enjoy cruise calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Icy Strait Point. See your travel agent for details.
and Admiralty Dream, with departures in May, June and September 2013. The 11-day sailing, 'Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof Explorer', adds three days to the line's popular route through Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Kake and Petersburg. Additional ports of call include Skagway, plus two extra days exploring Red Bluff Bay and the Chichagof Islands, near Point Adolphus, known for whale, bear and sea otter sightings. Departing from Sitka, the cruise also includes a day of adventure at the company's private Hobart Bay, outfitted with sea kayaks, allterrain vehicles and Zego runabouts, which are available to guests at no extra cost. A dinner of Alaskan salmon and king crab is held ashore at Orca Point Lodge, also exclusively reserved for Alaskan Dream Cruises. “As Alaskans, we recognise how fortunate we are to grow up with unlimited access to the wilderness,” said Michael Wien, vice president of sales and marketing. “We enjoy sharing that access to our land and culture with visitors because it translates into a satisfying, enriching trip.” Rates start at US$3,729 for a view cabin (based on the 23 May 2013 sailing, including port charges and taxes). The Baranof Dream features a shallow draft for navigating intimate coves, a spacious bow and covered outside deck for viewing wildlife and glaciers, large windows in all cabins, a lounge bar and dining room. Formed two years ago by the Allen family, members of the Tlingit Kaagwaantaan clan, Alaskan Dream Cruises offers an insider's view of Southeast Alaska with a focus on smaller communities. For more information, see www.alaskandreamcruises.com.
Check out what it’s like on shore HOLLAND America Line has added 325 short videos to its website, showcasing its shore excursions in Alaska and select ports around the world. “Videos are the best way to show our guests what's in store when they book a tour and to let them know what they can expect,” said Richard Meadows , Executive VP, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs for HAL. “We have more than 4,000 shore excursions, so these videos help our guests select the right tour that fits their desires,” he added. See www.hollandamerica.com.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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Advertise with us t $PTU &òFDUJWF t 5BSHFUFE t &BTZ For details call us today: 1300 799 220
Browse an exotic corner
Cheers! on Carnival Dream
LOOKING for something to whet your holiday appetite? Well Discover the World’s new 2013 Europe & Exotic Corners brochure may be just the thing, with 27 pages of colourful options. Created for those “looking for life enriching cruise and tour journeys”, the brochure showcases the intimate yacht/small ship offerings of Variety Cruises, as well as the more conventional ships of Louis Cruises, and a host of pre and/or post cruise SeaTour extensions and hotel stays. Destinations covered include the Mediterranean, Cuba, Seychelles, Greece and the Adriatic. As an added bonus, the brochure also debuts earlybird deals such as 50% savings off the 2nd guest fare with any Variety Cruises voyage booked before 31 January 2013. See your travel agent to grab a copy.
CARNIVAL Dream has become the fourth Carnival Cruise Lines ship to offer the company’s Cheers! beverage program. Formally titled ‘My Awesome Bar Program’, the ‘Cheers!’ all you can drink alcohol package is now available on Carnival Dream, Carnival Victory, Carnival Splendor, and Carnival Breeze. Cheers! is priced at US$42.95pp per day, and entitles cruisers to up to 15 drinks a day from a selection of beer, wine and spirits. The downside of the package is that all drinks covered by Cheers! must be US$10 or less each, and if one cruiser in a cabin buys the package, then all adults over 21 years who are sharing a cabin with them must also purchase it. Meanwhile along with the name change and ship expansion, Cheers! now also offers cruisers a 25% discount on the price of bottled water.
Watch RCLs revitalisations
Free Scenic EU flights
ROYAL Caribbean has released a new ‘Every Ship is Our Best Ship: The Royal Caribbean Revitalisations Leave No Ship Untouched’ video, CLICK HERE to view.
SCENIC Tours is currently offering free flights for European river bookings made by 31 Jan 2013. Prices on the 15 Day Romantic Rhine & Moselle River Cruise start from $7,690pp.
Port Review: Moreton Island by P&O Cruises Undoubtedly one of Australia's best kept secrets, Moreton Island is two per cent beachfront resort, 98 per cent national park, 100 per cent enjoyment. P&O Cruises marks a significant change to its shorter P&OSeaBreaks itineraries by calling here, as well as being the first big ship cruise line to drop anchor of this island's beautiful shores. This is a place where moments of exhilaration are matched only by opportunities for relaxation. There is sand tobogganing, parasailing and quad bike riding, as well as beach and water activities and a wild dolphin feeding program like nowhere else in the world. Visitors can spot dugongs, turtles and if they're lucky, whales, and can snorkel the shipwrecks off the island's coast. There is also a festival atmosphere for P&O Cruises passengers when they visit, the perfect introduction to the perfect destination.
COSTA COMP
Best Months: Moreton Island's climate is mild all year round, however people used to tropical island temperatures may find its winters cold. Summer can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures between 21-29 degrees on average. Sea temperatures range from about 26-28 degrees in the summer months and about 20-22 degrees in the winter months. Don’t Miss: The beach side entertainment at Moreton Island will keep you Moreton Island wrecks entertained for the whole day. The Dolphin Discovery tour including the dolphin feeding is delivering a rare and must do experience. Sightseeing: P&O cruises will anchor on the West side of Moreton Island, where you will be greeted with onshore entertainment, food stalls and more. However discovering Moreton Isand does not stop there, be sure to hop on a tour to check out Honeymoon Bay, Champagne pools, Cape Moreton Lighthouse, Tangalooma ship wrecks and much much more! Be sure to keep your eyes out for dolphins, dugongs, sea turtle and other marine life. Language: English Cash or Card: Cash and credit cards are accepted with a voucher system to make purchases at stalls during the festivals currently under consideration.
3 2 5 7 + 2 / ( HOW Christmas is celebrated underwater. Sydney Aquarium's resident dugong, Wuru, celebrated Christmas early with an edible Christmas tree constructed entirely from her favourite food - lettuce leaves. “While it may seem rather dull in comparison to an indulgent, brandy-soaked fruit cake, our dugongs certainly love their cos lettuce leaves, and so we couldn't think of anything more suitable than a lettuce tree this Christmas,” said Andrew Barnes, Dugong Keeper. Wuru is pictured right enjoying the Cos lettuce Christmas tree.
Love wine and shark swims? FANCY yourself a bit of a wine connoisseur? Then you may be excited to learn that the founder of Penny's Hill vineyard, Tony Parkinson, will be joining North Star Cruises’ Southern Safari cruise onboard True North. Departing from Adelaide on 14 January next year, the voyage has been described as “nothing short of a wine and seafood-lovers delight”. The nine-day voyage will include a tour of the McLaren Valley wine region; two days at Kangaroo Island; cage diving with great white sharks; Port Lincoln tour; a day in Coffin Bay; and exploration of the Pearson Islands, the Franklin Islands and nearby Saint Francis Island. See your travel agent for details, or visit www.northstarcruises.com.au.
Tauck’s Golden Roads TAUCK’S Yellow Roads of Europe 2013 brochure details the company’s full European offering of river cruises, road tours and train trips next year. Highlights of the brochure include a new eight-day Bon Voyage France Family River Cruise. See your travel agent for a copy, or visit www.traveltheworld.com.au.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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The Year in Review: Adventure Cruising Highs and Lows by Roderick Eime Crocs in the Spotlight If anything grabbed the attention of news media this year, it was the fortunate (as it turned out) case of Tara Hawkes who was rescued quite literally from the jaws of death by a fellow passenger and crew member aboard Kimberley small ship, True North. Crew member, Alan "Big Al" Sartori, looked almost embarrassed when collecting his civilian bravery award from West Australian Governor Malcolm McCusker back in November. Mike Fletcher received the other award, while North Star Cruises themselves were cleared after a WorkSafe enquiry. A non-fatal attack on a Lindblad Expeditions passenger in PNG in November seems to have escaped media attention. While we have crocs down here, polar bears are at least as dangerous up north. Passengers had a more than a thrill on a recent One Oceans voyage to Spitsbergen. See the video: http://youtu.be/X8qdKfIy15k.
Here There be Dragons When a 16th Century mapmaker needed to fill in some blanks, he put this phrase on his chart and it now is clichĂŠ for "uncharted territory". This year NZ's Heritage Expeditions continued their penchant for ultra remote destinations by setting out for Heard and McDonald Islands, deep in the South Indian Ocean. When they were denied landing permission at the French island of Amsterdam, a fortunate storm blew up, forcing them to take cover in a sheltered bay. There they fortuitously spotted one of the world's rarest birds, the Amsterdam Albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis) Nice one!
Whiling away the windy days- Indian Ocean
Cruise Weekly is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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
Lots of sea days. How did they fill the time? See their hilarious video clip: http://youtu.be/7XJYfFbMUog.
Ice Patrol Completing the famous Northwest Passage was a 'bucket list' tick for this dilettante explorer. When the heroes of exploration first made the arduous journey across the top of frozen Canada, many were lost forever in the ice. Now it seems the ice is lost forever. Once only penetrable by full-blown icebreaker, global climate change has made this voyage a doddle. Some pundits predict the great Arctic Ocean may even be ice free in summer within my lifetime, so the message is clear. If you want to see the Arctic in all its frosted glory, now is the time to go. Really, now. Meanwhile down south, they have the opposite problem. Iceberg B-09B continues to block access to Australia's Commonwealth Bay making landings at the iconic Cape Denison site of Mawson's Hut another tricky affair. Nonetheless, Operators report bumper bookings and there is still plenty to see on the fascinating subantarctic islands like Macquarie and Auckland. Oceanwide Expeditons will take choppers. Smart.
Bummers Orion's plans for an expanded fleet and itineraries took a dive with the permanent withdrawal of Orion II this year because of technical unreliability. Oceanwide too had plans in momentary disarray while Planctius suffered from engine problems in South Georgia, stranding passengers near the old whaling base of Grytviken.
Polar bear on ice
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Bravery award - Alan Sartori (News Ltd)
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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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