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TUESDAY 21ST JUNE 2011
www.cruiseweekly.com.au Ph: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221 Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Amanda Collins
Antarctica passengers to drop 25% Big ships are pulling out of Antarctica and changing the frozen scene forever. THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANTARCTICA Tour Operators (IAATO) has released alarming statistics about the continuing
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decrease in cruise passengers to the region, with next season set to see its sharpest fall. The number of visitors to Antarctica is down by more than 8% – from 36,875 in 2009-10 to 33,824 in 2010-11. But in 2011-12, the total is tipped to plummet to 26,000 – a 25% drop on the season just ended. The reason is a new ban on ships using heavy fuel oil, effective from August, which has forced many big ships to pull out of Antarctica. Last season, 14,373 passengers sailed on big ships’ cruise-only trips (no landings on shore) and IAATO expects less than 5,000 passengers next season – a hit of 65%. However, small ship operators (less than 500 guests) are generally unaffected by the fuel ban. Steve Odell, Silversea’s senior vice president, Asia Pacific, says that environmental and safety issues are crucial to Antarctica’s future and its tourism. “We see these changes as very positive as they aim to bring higher standards to the region in order to preserve this unique uise W eekl destination,” Odell told Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy. Silversea’s all-inclusive’ luxury ship Silver Explorer is almost fully booked for next season with a few open suites here and there,” he said. Australia is the second largest market for Silversea’s Antarctic cruises, and the line is already taking registrations for 2013. But Orion’s Antarctic expedition leader, Don McIntyre, says travellers will not necessarily switch to small ships when they cannot get onboard a big ship’s cruise-only voyage. “My understanding is that this was a very good teaser to those passengers to then come back on a smaller ship like Orion another time, so that will not happen now… as those big ship trips were very cheap,” he said.
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TODAY’S CRUISE WEEKLY
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Welcome to today’s consumer issue of Cr uise W eekl Weekl eeklyy, featuring four pages of Cruise cruise news and photos.
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Smoking policy changes PRINCESS CRUISES HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT’S banning smoking in staterooms and balconies, effective from 15 January 2012. The cruise line says the change “reflects customer preferences” as well as the move around the globe to further restrict areas where smoking is allowed. “Our consumer studies now show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers,” Princess said in a statement. Other Carnival Corporation brands have also announced changes, including Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines, which will both no longer allow smoking in cabins (but will permit it on balconies) from 15 Jan.
New hopes for Garden Island berth discussion,” she said. “It also shows that at a government level, there is more of a balance between the Navy’s operational and security needs and the tourism value of cruising.”
Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry talks to Cruise Weekly about opening up discussions with the Navy.
“Port Kembla and Port Botany were thrown in as complete afterthoughts...”
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S REVIEW INTO CRUISE ship access to Garden Island brings Sydney a step closer to a second facility east of the Harbour Bridge – not at Port Kembla or Port Botany – according to Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry. In an interview with Cruise Weekly last week Sherry dismissed an article, published in the Daily Telegraph, which exposed a “secret” report that suggested larger cruise ships may be forced to berth as far away as Wollongong or Newcastle. “That report was commissioned by the previous government and it was just to canvass options – I was on the committee that looked at it, and Port Kembla and Port Botany were thrown in as complete afterthoughts,” Sherry said. “We needed to close off all other potential sites because Sydney Harbour is where people want to come in and out of. “Those other options aren’t workable.” In the report, the Royal Australian Navy submission stated that it would struggle to accommodate cruise liners as well as its own growing fleet at its Woolloomooloo base, but Sherry says this is nothing new. “The Navy have been saying that all along. “They have been closed on discussions, but this announcement [about the Garden Island review] at least opens up the
In the past, only Queen Mary 2 has been permitted by the Navy to dock at Garden Island. “We know we’ve got a precedent with the QM2 allowed to berth there, but why only one ship, why not more?” Sherry asked. “During the peak cruise season, around January and February, the Navy has a family-friendly policy to give its crew a couple of months leave, so Garden Island is not very active at that time. “We think there is a better way to organise that, and we are happy to work with the Navy to use this amazing infrastructure.” Meanwhile, Harvey World travel agent Richard Davey called the review a “red herring”. “The public is being sold the idea that it’s giving the green light to Garden Island, but it’s just a discussion, and I worry that it’s the final nail in the whole thing,” he said. Carnival Australia represents P&O Cruises, P&O World Voyages, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn.
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THIS WEEKLY COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS HOT DEALS ON cruises departing in the next 90 days – ideal for our spontaneous readers. 15 nights – F e to Brisbane Frremantl emantle onboar d Sun P rincess onboard Princess • Departs: 06 September 2011 • From: $2,089pp twin share • Stops at Geraldton, Bali, Broome, Darwin, Port Douglas and Townsville • Includes all onboard meals • See www.eseacruising.com.au
Carnival from New York CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES WILL HOST EIGHT-DAY cruises departing from New York to the Caribbean and the Bahamas commencing in April next year. The new schedule will feature three eight-day itineraries onboard Carnival Miracle, including an Eastern Caribbean adventure (April October), Bahamas voyage (April - October) and Bahamas/Florida journey (April October 2013).
cruise weekly Tuesday 21st June 2011
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Making it in the Mekong by Roderick Eime Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Vessel: Jayavarman, 58m, 700 tons The realm of adventure cruising is expanding. Once it was the iconic voyages to the frozen extremes, the iconic Galapagos or scenic Alaska, but now the world’s small vessels are heading inland to the remote rivers of Asia, South America or even Africa. Not satisfied with icebergs and polar bears, expedition cruisers now want to tick Amazon, Nile and Mekong off their lists of significant waterways. uise W eekl As mentioned in Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy previously, Southeast Asia’s largest river, the Mekong is shaping up as a battleground for cruise operators as the new wave of luxury river vessels stake their claim on this famous waterway. One of the newest is Heritage Line’s 2009-launched Jayavarman, known also by its officially registered name of RV Mekong Explorer. Built in Vietnam in the traditional style of Asian river vessels, but styled apparently on the classic ocean liner ‘Normandie’. With 27 twin (or double) cabins appointed in a charming ‘old world’ style, Jayavarman transports guests in pampered luxury on a journey beginning in the Mekong Delta port of My Tho. Our 7-night exploration continues upstream through the many convoluted tributaries of the famous delta, ending up in the main stream via such evocatively named stops as Cai Be, Binh Thanh Island, Chau Doc and Xin Chao. Shore excursions include village factories like rice mills, traditional industries such as brick-making and agricultural enterprises like fish farms and mat weaving. Mostly we are transported on comfortable local sampans with padded seats and shaded awnings with plenty of complimentary bottled water on offer. Okay, so it’s not the pyramids but it is an authentic glimpse into real life along the delta much as it’s been conducted for centuries. Across the border and into Cambodia, the pace of life slows and a day is spent in Phnom Penh touring all the things first time visitors have to see. But there’s time for a couple of mandatory Angkor Lagers in the iconic Foreign Correspondents Club before we set off early next day. We spend the next couple of days alternating between the Mekong and it’s sibling, the Tonle Sap before we are obliged to bus it to our final destination, Siem Reap. This is one caveat for travel at this time of the year, the low water season, as the Tonle Sap doesn’t yet have enough water to allow us into the big lake of the same name. It’s not the best part of the trip, so if you are dead keen to sail into the Tonle Sap, make sure you travel in the high season and pay the extra. Costs for the 7-night journey start at USD 3384 per person twin share in a superior suite, low season. The fare includes all meals and shore excursions (and bus), but not your port tax or visa fee. Food is a mix of plated and buffet sittings with delicious local flavours. Fish, chicken, pork, beef and spicy salads aplenty – no-one goes hungry. For full details and bookings, visit Active Travel at www.activetravel.com.au. page 3
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Silversea nabs Bryson
P&O Earlybird deals
SILVERSEA HAS MANAGED TO SECURE BEST SELLING Author Bill Bryson to host enrichment lectures onboard Silver Whisper’s 03-12 March 2012 Singapore to Shanghai voyage.
P&O CRUISES IS OFFERING SEVEN-NIGHT PACIFIC Island voyages priced from $699, as part of a new earlybird sale. Kicking off over the weekend, the earlybird sale will run until 30 September, and will feature discounted fares across 200 voyages including a seven-night Pacific Sun departure from Sydney on 04 December 2011 heading for Noumea and the Isle of Pines from $699pp quad share. Other deals include a 13-night cruise to New Zealand from $899pp quad share sailing from Sydney on Pacific Jewel on 29 January 29 2012. See your travel agent for details, or visit www.pocruises.com.au.
New SeaDream itineraries SEADREAM YACHT CLUB HAS REVISED ITS 2012 European program after cancelling next year’s North Europe and Baltic cruises. SeaDream will now offer two new Black Sea itineraries as well as several Croatia and Greek Isles voyages. And for the first time, the line will operate an Athens-Athens itinerary with maiden calls along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Mediterranean cruise durations have also been extended, with some 10-night and 11night options. In July 2012 SeaDream I and in September 2012 SeaDream II will make a return sailing from Istanbul, visiting Nessebar, Suline Odessa, Yalta and Sevastopol, Sochi and Novorossiysk. A 12-night cruise on the 112-passenger SeaDream II is priced from US$8545pp. See your travel agent for more details.
Favolosa godmother COSTA CRUISES HAS NAMED THE GODMOTHER OF its newest vessel, Costa Favolosa, as the Italian actress, Margareth Madè. Favolosa will be christened on 02 July at the Piazza Unità d’Italia in Trieste, where Madè will cut the ship’s ribbon and break a bottle of Aneri Prosecco against her bow.
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WHAT A WATER VIEW! Visitors to Rhossili Beach in Wales may be forgiven for not believing their eyes recently, when 400 shivering naked people ran towards the water and plunged into the sea. The group braved an 8am start and the chilly water in a bid to take out the World Record for skinny dipping and to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. It is believed that the previous record sits at 250.
Cr uise W eekl ia/New Zeal and PO Box 428, West Ryde NSW 1685 Ph: 1300 799 220 www.cruiseweekly.com.au. Ed itors Cruise Weekl eeklyy Austral Australia/New Zealand Editors itors: Louise Goldsbury & Amanda Collins info@cruiseweekly.com.au; A dvertising & P Prr omotions Lisa Maroun advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd ABN 731 230 414 85. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission from the editor 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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