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Massive cargo ship opens up cruises Passenger cabins are now available on the world's largest containership sailing the world longest trade route. FRANCE'S CMA CGM has this week announced that travellers will be welcomed aboard its flagship, the Marco Polo. Measuring 396 metres in length, this “giant of the seas” is the equivalent of four football fields, the company said. “These original cruises offer travellers the possibility to live a unique and unforgettable experience by discovering oceans, seas and continents to the beat of international trade and involving themselves in the life on board by sharing the crew's everyday life,” CMA CGM said in a statement.
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The vessel features five double cabins, each measuring 20 square metres, a lounge with television, a library, fitness room and swimming pool. Marco Polo is deployed on the world's busiest route linking Asia to Europe via the world's largest ports: Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali and Ningbo. A sampler cruise from Southampton to Malta (14 days) is priced from €1,400 (approximately AU$1,785) per person twin-share or €1,540 (AU$1,965) for sole use of a cabin. The full 77-day round voyage starts at €7,700 (AU$9,810) per person twin-share or €8,470(AU$10,800) for sole use. Other available itineraries include Southampton to Hong Kong (49 days); Le Havre to Hong Kong (41 days); Hong Kong to Southampton (28 days) and Port Kelang to Southampton (22 days). “Cargo cruises” have been offered by the CMA CGM Group since 2000 on major global shipping routes (North Europe-Asia / USA-Asia / Round the world via the Panama Canal / the West Indian road / Europe-India). For more information, visit www.cma-cgm.com.
P&O auction for Tassie relief PACIFIC Pearl is raising funds for Tasmanian bushfire victims by hosting an onboard auction of a framed blow-up of Pearl taking centre stage for the Australia Day celebrations (below). The auction follows an approach by Pearl guests to P&O in which the holidaymakers asked the cruise line to help them raise funds for those affected by the fires. The auction will take place during Pearl’s upcoming Tassie cruise, departing Sydney on 28 Feb to Melbourne, Burnie, Wineglass Bay, Hobart and Port Arthur. The special auction item of the Pacific Pearl image is in addition to the normal end-ofcruise auction of navigational charts in which the proceeds are directed to the charity Save the Children.
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New port in Bristol
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CMV added another new ship this month: the 700-passenger Discovery, previously operated by the UK's Voyages of Discovery, part of All Leisure Group. The newly refurbished ship will be the first in 20 years to dock at Avonmouth Docks in Bristol on Thursday before it embarks on a 15-night Northern Lights cruise to Norway. Avonmouth will host another eight departures this year, with nine planned for 2014. See your local travel agent for details.
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW
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Cruise Weekly today features three pages of news, plus a feature story from Roderick Eime on the North Atlantic.
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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 Balmoral Seabourn Odyssey Arcadia Pacific Pearl Costa Deliziosa Costa Deliziosa Rhapsody of the Seas Pacific Jewel Oosterdam Pacific Princess Pacific Jewel Celebrity Solstice
Tue 26 Feb Wed 27 Feb Wed 27 Feb Thu 28 Feb Thu 28 Feb Fri 01 Mar Fri 01 Mar Fri 01 Mar Sat 02 Mar Sun 03 Mar Mon 04 Mar Mon 04 Mar
BRISBANE Queen Victoria Rhapsody of the Seas Balmoral Seabourn Odyssey Pacific Dawn Celebrity Solstice Sun Princess Queen Mary 2
Tue 26 Feb Wed 27 Feb Thu 01 Mar Thu 01 Mar Fri 02 Mar Fri 02 Mar Mon 04 Mar Tue 05 Mar
FREMANTLE Amsterdam
Tue 26 Feb
CAIRNS Europa Oceanic Discovery Seabourn Odyssey
Wed 27 Feb Sun 03 Mar Tue 05 Mar
BURNIE Pacific Princess Pacific Pearl
Fri 01 Mar Sun 03 Mar
HOBART Caledonian Sky Caledonian Sky Voyager of the Seas Diamond Princess Pacific Pearl
Fri 01 Mar Sun 03 Mar Sun 03 Mar Mon 04 Mar Mon 04 Mar
lick here for applicable 2013 cruises ¬ C
Changes in the air for Captain Cook Captain Cook Cruises is freshening up its fleet, launching new cruises, and welcoming special guests onboard, as part of a raft of special developments in 2013. CRUISING around Sydney Harbour on Captain Cook Cruises’ iconic Sydney 2000, company big-wigs Jackie Charlton and Richard Doyle shared with media what the world can expect from the company over the next 12 months. “There are some exciting new developments on the horizon,” Sealink’s Head of Marketing Richard Doyle told CW. Whilst keeping tight-lipped about a few of the company’s plans, Doyle did reveal that Sydney 2000 is in line to get a new winter menu, as well as a renovation (commencing in May) which will include new tasteful soft furnishings with “a bit more of an Eastern focus”. “This ship can afford to tweak, because we have three different levels of dining so we can cater to a diverse market, from exclusive weddings to an Asian focused experience,” said Doyle. The renovations will also include the installation of two new engines. In terms of the Captain’s Murray product, Murray Princess, Doyle told CW that the muchloved paddlewheeler will be refurbished over the next 12-18 months, with the one million dollar work to include a makeover of her cabins “to bring the ship up to a more Murray Princess
contemporary standard and style”. “We’ve seen a shift in the demographic showing that Murray guests are starting to get younger and we need to cater to that change in demographic, as well as look after our returning guests,” he said. Other goodies in-store include a special four night foodies voyage departing 10 June accompanied by Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin, who will present a series of cooking demonstrations and talks for guests. MEANWHILE in Captain Cook Cruises Fiji news, Executive Director Jackie Charlton, said the company is set to debut a brand new 11night itinerary to Lau this year, with the inaugural departure (which has completely sold out) to take place on 22 October. “We basically just launched it to our past passengers and that filled it up,” she said. The cruise will take guests to Yanuca Island, Savusavu Bay and Kadavu, and will provide scenic cruising through the Bay of Islands and the central Lau Group (passing Islands such as Lakeba, Oneata, Komo, Namuka-i-Lau and Yagasa), providing plenty of kayaking; river tubing; mountain biking; swimming; snorkeling and hiking opportunities, as well as the chance to visit volcanoes, schools and churches and enjoy a lovo feast. Speaking about the Captain’s Fijian ship, Reef Endevour, Charlton revealed that thus far the company has spent over a million dollars on her refurbishment. “And we’re still spending money,” she quipped, adding that Endevour’s furnishings, public areas and carpets have all been updated, and that the ship has just had another four of its staterooms converted into interconnecting family rooms. Those that can’t live without the internet, will also be excited to learn that the ship now sports free-of-charge Wi-Fi. And for guests who just want to escape from it all, Charlton also announced that from the middle of October to the end of November Endeavour will welcome a Shaolin monk onboard to lead guests in meditation.
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MSC’s Mediterranean Xmas
Chenoweth named godmother
MSC Cruises’ seven- and 11-night Holiday Season Mediterranean cruises are priced from $549pp, and depart between November 2013 and March 2014. The voyages take in destinations including Italy, France, Spain, Tunis, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Israel and Egypt, see msccruises.com.au.
BROADWAY superstar and Emmy award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth has been named as godmother to Royal Caribbean International's much anticipated new cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas. “Exemplifying what it means to be a leading lady both onstage and off, Chenoweth was chosen for her effervescent personality and ability to wow audiences,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement. When the ship launches next year in September it will weigh in at 158,000 gross registered tons and will feature capacity for 4,100 guests. See www.royalcaribbean.com.au.
Coral Princess II on the Reef CORAL Princess Cruises' 35 metre catamaran Coral Princess II has recently returned to service to the Great Barrier Reef following a major refurbishment including a full interior upgrade and repainting of the ship’s exterior. Coral Princess II also received mechanical upgrades including the installation of noise reduction technology.
SeaDream discounts Myanmar CORAL SeaDream Yacht Club has cut 10% off fares for its two first-ever visits to Myanmar this year by the world's top-rated boutique ship, SeaDream II. The saving is also offered on the already discounted prices for the entire Asian season, reducing prices to US$8,224pp for SingaporePhuket, and from US$8044pp for PhuketSingapore, see www.seadream.com.
Zambezi cruise air deal APT has added a 16 June departure for its 18-day 'African Journey with Zambezi Queen' tour-cruise, which carries a $500 air credit deal on return South African Airways flights from Australia, booked with APT. Priced from $10,195 per person twin-share, the fare includes an APT tour director, tipping, all internal flights in Africa, 4WD game viewing, accommodation (private game lodges, luxury camps, hotels), 34 meals and local guided excursions. Among the highlights are travelling in custom-built 4WDs, accompanied by a game tracker at Tinga Private Game Lodge, with group sizes limited to six guests, and Thanda Tented Safari Camp. The two-day cruise-safari on the Chobe River is aboard the 14-suite Zambezi Queen. APT General Manager Marketing Debra Fox said the extra departure reflected the demand for the company's Africa small group holidays, which include private game drives, luxury tented camps, expert guides and the opportunity to meet Africa's indigenous people. For details, see www.aptouring.com.au.
Russian cruise special RUSSIAN Travel Centre has done away with the single supplement for sole use of a twin cabin on six cruises between Moscow and St Petersburg in July and August 2013. Cruising on either the MS Tolstoy or MS Pushki the eight-day cruises are priced from just $1,422 per person for an outside cabin with ensuite, all meals and comprehensive sightseeing (representing a minimum saving of $693pp). For details see your travel agent, or phone 1300 668 844.
New Evergreen ships EVERGREEN Tours has released more juicy details regarding River Royal and River Princess which are set to join the company’s fleet in 2014. Measuring 135 metres in length and with a draft of 1.45 metres, each of the vessels will have a maximum speed of 25kms/hr and feature 72 suites and 19 staterooms. In terms of the suites, there will be three categories, including: Royal Concerto Suites (one bedroom) with lounge and full balcony, which will measure 315 sq ft; Grand Full Balcony Suites with a full balcony which will measure 207 sq ft; and Riva Balcony Suites with drop down glass window which will measure 170 sq ft. Evergreen's guests will also enjoy a range of complementary on board activities like a walking track, giant chess board, golf putting green, a fitness room and wireless internet access; and they can even pamper themselves with a massage or hair and beauty treatments (at extra cost). See www.evergreentours.com.
3 2 5 7 + 2 / ( GHOST ship? An Russian cruise ship, Lyubov Orlova, was found adrift off the Irish coast, without any guests or crew, just long dark echoing corridors and empty rooms. According to reports, the ship had been due for scrappage and was on its way from Canada to scrapyard in the Dominican Republic when a cable which secured Orlova to its tow vessel snapped, leaving it adrift in international waters. Orlova was then secured by another vessel, a supply ship owned by an oil company, however shortly after, the ship managed to break free again to drift alone at sea. It was after this second breakout that Canadian authorities, who had organised its deportation from their country to the scrapyard after the vessel had been abandoned for two years, washed their hands of the matter saying it was the ship’s owners’ responsibility. Given that no one wanted to take the ship, Orlova and her ghosts were given free rein to roam the ocean and was soon lost as her GPS system ceased to work. It was not until she neared too close to Ireland that maritime authorities were able to locate the wayward ship, which is now heading towards Europe.
No mandatory tips on RCI ROYAL Caribbean is not making tipping mandatory on its fleet, but is rather upping its gratuity guidelines for voyages on or after 01 Mar 2013, with the new recommended daily gratuities for dining staff and housekeeping staff set at $12.00 per guest per day, and $14.25 per suite guest per day.
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Follow the Viking Trail through the North Atlantic by: Roderick Eime If you were a Viking in the Middle Ages of European history, chances are you were not much of a diplomat or humanitarian. The fearsome Viking reputation is not without substance. Beginning around the ninth century until well into the eleventh, the Norse mariners went on an aggressive land grab that often resulted in bloodshed, abduction and pillaging. Today's mild-mannered and infinitely cultured Scandinavians have countered this unfriendly perception somewhat by reminding us that the Vikings were also skilled seafarers, advanced agriculturalists and energetic traders who advanced the culture and civilization of Europe generally. Vikings still evoke a powerful mystique. Just like the Greeks and Romans, Norse mythology is chock-a-block with mighty deities and gods like, Thor (god of thunder), Odin (god of war) and Freyr (goddess of love and fertility). Our days of the week are still named after Norse gods. True. Great explorers like Erik the Red and his son Leif Ericson, took the Norse influence west of Iceland to Greenland and North America and even created settlements as far away as L'Anse aux Meadows on the tip of Newfoundland. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is believed the Vikings lived there around 1000AD. Passionate historians or even just the curious can recreate their own "Viking trail" by interconnecting the various Norse settlements with modern cruise ships, enjoying a form of sea travel Erik and his crew would never have dreamed of. Starting in Newfoundland, such cruise lines as Silversea and Regent Seven Seas include L'Anse aux Meadows on itineraries that may also include Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland from where Erik & Son fled in the late 10th Century. Far from being constrained by its name, Iceland
Blue Lagoon - Iceland
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is far more than frozen water. Visits to ports like Djupivogur, Isafjord, Seydisfjordur and Akureyri aboard vessels from MSC, P&O and even the smaller boutique and adventure lines such as Seabourn and Ponant will reveal a land rich in natural and cultural treasure. One of the most popular excursions is the geothermal lake, The Blue Lagoon, where you can swim in 40 degree, mineral rich waters just 40km from the capital. Greenland, the world's largest island, nearly 300km west of Iceland, was also visited and colonised by Erik and Ericson. Not limited to small expedition vessels, Nanortalik and Qaqortoq are two ports visited by the larger liners including Princess, Holland America and Saga. Visits to Greenland are becoming increasing popular and even a little urgent, as the massive glaciers disintegrate in the planet's warming climate. If you were sailing toward Iceland from the northern tip of Scotland, it would be hard not to stumble across the remote Faroe Islands. Still a domain of Denmark, the first Vikings are thought have arrived in there in the 7th century. Look for itineraries that include ports of Torshavn (Faroes), Kirkwall (Orkneys) or Portree (Hebrides) to fully experience the Norse influence of Northern Britain. Fact File: As an Arctic destination, most ports are only visited during the northern summer cruise season, typically May to September. The ideal months are June to August when the weather is warmest. Cruise Lines: MSC, Saga, Hurtigruten, HAL, Oceania, Silversea, Seabourn, Ponant, Costa, Aurora.
Faroe Islands
Publisher/Managing Editor: Bruce Piper Editor: Louise Goldsbury Assistant Editor: Amanda Collins Contributors: Roderick Eime and Chantel Housler Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Cruise Weekly is part of the Travel Daily Group:
Ponant in Greenland
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