CW for Thu 29 Sep 2022 - Murray River set for largest ship yet, Pimentel to lead new venture,

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cruiseweekly.com.au cruiseweekly.co.nz Thursday 29th Sep 2022

Cruise Weekly today

Cruise Weekly today features two pages of all the latest cruise industry news and a cover page from Royal Caribbean International.

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SAVE on Royal Caribbean (RCI) International’s 2022-2023 summer sailings with up to $600 in instant savings and a free balcony upgrade.

There are also savings of up to 30% off each guest - terms & conditions apply.

Hurry though - the sale ends 11 Oct - head to the cover page for more.

Royal Caribbean also recently announced more than 1,400 opportunities will be made available on its entertainment staff over the next 12 months, with Australians invited to apply (CW yesterday).

Murray set for largest ship yet E X C L U S I V E

A NEW five-star, $6.75 million cruise vessel, set to be the first of its kind in Australia, has been announced by Murray River Paddlesteamers (CW breaking news yesterday).

The luxury 20-cabin vessel will offer cruises of up to one week long - a “game-changing, hero drawcard” for the region, Director Craig Burgess believes.

The 40-guest vessel has the working title ‘PS Australian Star’, and has been supported with $2.25 million in funding by the Victorian State Government financing which has brought the project forward by three years.

The two-year build will commence in Mildura in late 2022, with cruise dates, itineraries, and special launch fares expected to be released in mid-2023, Burgess said.

Australian Star will boast a

BOOK

fine dining restaurant called ‘Redgums’, panoramic lounges, function areas, bars, outside relaxation space, and hybrid steam-diesel propulsion.

Encompassing a range of styles from King and Queen suites to generously proportioned Queen and Twin-Bed cabins, all staterooms will open to a verandah, and will offer luxury linen and an en suite.

The three-deck vessel will offer three-and four-night cruises which will sail back-to-back, enabling guests to combine the two voyages.

The voyages will sail yearround from Echuca, and will be all-inclusive, offering onboard meals, lectures, wi-fi, beer & wine with lunch & dinner, and shore excursions which focus on the region’s natural heritage, rich history, and indigenous culture.

Travel advisors will be offered

10% commission, as well as bonuses for multiple bookings.

Burgess told Cruise Weekly Australian Star will intend to attract high-yield visitors from around the country and around the world once she makes her debut journey along the Murray in late 2024.

Murray Regional Tourism interim CEO Will Flamsteed added Australian Star will encourage more overnight stays in the border region.

A nationwide competition to select a permanent name will kick off soon, and the public can also stay updated with the build through a new Facebook group, ‘Australian Star Members’, which will have regular updates, a live feed webcam, and more.

Australian Star will be the third vessel in Murray River Paddlesteamers’ fleet, and the second to offer overnight cruises.

four & S A I L FR E E !

B O O K F O U R C A B I N S B E F O R E D E C E M B E R 31S T 2 0 22 O N A N Y E LI G I B L E VOYAG E S I N 2 0 22 A N D YO U W I L L E A R N A FR E E C RU I S E F O R YO U A N D A GU E S T.

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Thursday 29th Sep 2022

Pimentel to lead new venture PORTHOLE LOTS of forces have conspired to prevent cruising over the past two-and-a-half years, but this is ridiculous!

Three new catamarans have been removed from service in Sydney after one of the vessels in the fleet suffered a steering failure near Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess.

The incident saw the catamaran stop in the path of Coral near Fort Denison on her Manly-Circular Quay route, as the cruise ship was attempting to sail out of Sydney Harbour.

The Maritime Union of Australia quickly arced up over the incident, but hey - at least no cruise ships were blamed this time!

Polaris delivered

VIKING’S Viking Polaris has been delivered by VARD. The ship is the second of two ice-strengthened expedition vessels VARD is delivering to Viking.

Polaris has been especially designed for comfortable expeditions in Antarctica and the Great Lakes.

FORMER Azamara and Chief Executive Officer Larry Pimentel has been named as the head of Four Seasons Yachts, a new luxury experience which sees the wellknown Four Seasons hospitality brand take to the seas.

The first Four Seasons Yacht (render pictured) is already under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy, and is due for delivery in late 2025, along with the potential for two additional vessels in a €1.2 billion order which was placed last year.

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts President, Christian Clerk, said “Four Seasons Yachts represents the next chapter of our long history of industry leading innovation, and a milestone moment for our company as we continue to capitalise on new

opportunities to extend the world of Four Seasons”.

The first ship will feature 14 decks and have capacity for 190 passengers, with an “extensive network of joining suite combinations creating adaptable, villa-like residences,” the company said.

The biggest “Funnel Suite” will have four levels, offering more than 892 square metres of combined indoor/outdoor living space including a private wading pool and dedicated spa area.

Pimentel said “in partnership with Four Seasons, we are creating a new category of luxury lifestyle travel that appeals to discerning guests”.

“When we launch in 2025, there will be nothing else like it on the open seas,” he enthused.

Hail to the chief!

AMERICAN Queen Voyages has appointed a new President, Cynthia D’Aoust.

‘Cindy’, as she is affectionately known, will bring 40 years of travel and hospitality experience to American Queen.

She has previously served as Cruise Lines International Association’s Global President & Chief Executive Officer and Cape Resorts Management’s President of Hospitality.

Cooking up a storm

WINDSTAR Cruises has announced its lineup of chefs for next year’s James Beard Foundation (JBF) culinary themed cruises - Washington DC’s Jerome Grant, New York City’s Ayesha Nurdjaja, and Boston’s Tracy Chang.

All three themed cruises will include two on-board cooking demonstrations, as well as four dishes by the JBF chefs at a hosted dinner.

Windstar is the Foundation’s ‘official cruise line’, supporting its mission to “celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability”.

IT’S TIME TO TREAT YOURSELF WITH CELEBRITY REWARDS

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