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“Wave season” rolls in this week Australia’s 2009/10 cruising season officially opens on Friday, with highlights for cruise lovers across the country – on land and at sea. SYDNEY WILL CELEBRATE THE START OF THE AUSTRALIAN cruise season on Friday when Dawn Princess returns to the city after her first world voyage. At 5am the next day, the first international ship to arrive back in Australia, Rhapsody of the Seas brings home more than 1300 Australians as well as 500 American and 300 European passengers. In total, Sydney will enjoy 52 visits by 12 Carnival Australia cruise ships over the season, including the launch of P&O’s superliner Pacific Jewel, the maiden visit of the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, Seabourn Odyssey (24 February) and QM2’s first overnight call. Also in NSW, Newcastle will feature on the Australian circumnavigations of Sun Princess and Dawn Princess for the first time, with three visits scheduled. Western Australia is the next biggest state for cruising this season, with 47 visits by seven Carnival ships – almost double last year’s 24 visits – and P&O’s first ever season from Fremantle, starting 16 December. Cunard’s Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas will visit Fremantle, Albany and Exmouth. Rhapsody also visits Broome and Bunbury. In November Regent Seven Seas Mariner will make calls along the west coast as well as Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Classic International Cruises’ Athena is offering ten itineraries to and from WA, and six sailings to and from Adelaide, including the first-ever return cruise to Tasmania.
Rhapsody opens the city’s season with her arrival on 8 November, and two days later commences the season in Melbourne followed by Tasmania’s Burnie on 11 November and Hobart the next day. Carnival ships will visit Tasmania 25 times and Victoria 29 times, including the first visit to Phillip Island on New Year’s Day. In Queensland, the season opens when Rhapsody of the Seas docks into Brisbane
Dawn Princess is on her way to Australia at 7am on 19 October, followed by Airlie Beach and Cairns. Cairns will also welcome Amsterdam on 26 October, followed by other capital cities, marking Holland America Line’s return to Australia. Seven Carnival ships will make 43 calls in the state, with Pacific Dawn moving to her new homeport of Brisbane. In Darwin, Rhapsody of the Seas and Sun Princess both arrive on 27 October, with HAL’s Volendam, Silverseas’ Silver Whisper and Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess all making the city their first port of call in Australia this season. Cruising also comes to Christmas Island this year with the arrival of Pacific Sun, which also returns to Norfolk Island this season – the first time since 1932. Other major ships on the way include The World, Balmoral, Europa, Saga Ruby, Crystal Symphony and Oceania Nautica.
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2009
www.cruiseweekly.com.au Ph: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221 Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Bruce Piper
Last Minute Deals
THIS WEEKLY COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS HOT DEALS ON cruises departing in the next 60 days – ideal for our spontaneous readers! Check out this week’s cruise bargains! 7 nights – Fl y/Cr uise to Singapor e Fly/Cr y/Cruise Singapore on SuperStar Libra • Departs: 11 & 25 Nov • From: $1149pp • Includes: flight from Melbourne to Singapore; 3-night cruise; 4 nights pre-cruise and 2 nights post-cruise at Novotel Clarke Quay • CLICK HERE or call 1300 369 848
10 nights – Syd ney to South P acific Sydney Pacific on Pacific Dawn • Departs: 29 Nov • From: $1562pp • Includes: 10-night cruise to Noumea and Vanuatu • For bookings, call 1300 366 268 or see www.eseacruising.com.au
Visit us at the expo! CRUISE WEEKLY WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE European Travel Expo this weekend. Come and visit us for a chance to win a great hamper full of goodies. Other cruising exhibitors include Nordic Travel and Hurtigruten Cruises. The free event will be held on Sunday 18 October at the Mercure Hotel (818 George Street, Sydney) – for details, see p.4 p.4.
TODAY’S CRUISE WEEKLY Today’s issue has four pages, including pg. 5 a page of cruise specials (pg. 5).
Yangtze River Cruise Special Only $999 per person, 5-night cruise only on board Viking Century Sun.
Viking River Cruises offers a never-before-seen $999 per person offer for a 5-night ‘cruise only’ river cruise on its award-winning Yangtze River ship the 5-star Viking Century Sun. Offer is available for departures on the 17th, 22nd and 27th of November, 2009, Chongqing – Wuhan or reverse, twin share and includes daily shore excursions, all meals as well as shipboard gratuities and port charges.
Contact your travel agent today or call Viking toll free 1800 829 138 or email australia@vikingrivercruises.com For more information visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au Conditions apply. Contact Viking River Cruises for details. Fare is per person and in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy and include port charges and shipboard gratuities. Gratuities for Program Directors and local city guides are not included. For pricing notes, offer restrictions and other booking terms and conditions, see page 94 in 2010 River Cruise Journeys brochure.
ABOVE: Egypt’s pyramids; pool deck on Arion.
cruise weekly Tuesday 13 October 2009
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THIS WEEK AT SEA ... SEA... WELCOME TO THE EDITOR’S COL UMN! COLUMN Well, the cruise season is finally here, kicking off this weekend in Sydney, so you can expect a lot of action around the ports of Australia over the next six months. For some parts of the country, this will be the first time that cruise ships have graced the shores, while other cities are up for record numbers of visiting vessels and passengers disembarking for the day. Sydney traffic has been brought to a standstill on several occasions in the past couple of years by the maiden visits of giant ocean liners or when two big Cunard Queens arrive on the same day. Even for people who have never been on a cruise, the majestic spectacle of these floating luxury hotels is enough draw thousands of people to the harbour – watching from land or on packed ferries, boats and kayaks. It will be interesting to see the response of people in other states and territories, which are all poised for a series of special cruising events this year (see pg.1). These historic and quite magical moments are great advertising for cruises! But the question asked by many cruise lines is how do we turn those land spectators into cruise passengers? Why don’t all of those people who are so fascinated by the ships ever get on board? What made you decide to finally book your first cruise? I’d love to know! This season, from mid-October 2009 to April 2010, will break all records. At last count, a total of 44 ships will make more than 420 calls in 24 ports around Australia. If you’re really keen, get up early on Saturday for the pre-sunrise arrival of the first international cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, which pulls into Circular Quay’s Overseas Passenger Terminal at 5am. Cruise Weekly will publish your photos of the ship if you email them to me at louise@cruiseweekly.com.au. Spaces are still available on many of the cruises departing from Australia, so it’s not too late to make the leap from land to sea. Let an expert help you choose the best cruise for you – find your nearest cruise specialist by entering your post code at www.cruising.org.au. Louise Gol Gold sburyy dsbur uise W eekl itor Editor itor,, Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy Ed ation to makeTuesday a booking. cruiseorweekly 13 October 2009
Alleged assault on ship QUEENSLAND POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED sexual assault on board the Pacific Sun, according to the Courier Mail. Police boarded the ship in Brisbane on Saturday after a South Pacific cruise. People allegedly involved in the incident have been interviewed by officers, but no arrests were made. Meanwhile, the court case continues over the death of Dianne Brimble on another P&O ship in September 2002. The prosecution has withdrawn part of its case against Mark Wilhelm, who is accused of her manslaughter and of supplying a prohibited drug, because of a lack of proof of “gross criminal negligence”.
North Europe in 2010 NEW BALTIC AND NORTH SEAS CRUISES HAVE BEEN launched by Holland America Line. A 10-night ‘Gems of the Baltic’ cruise on ms Eurodam sails from Copenhagen, Denmark and includes cities in Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. Departing July 2010, this cruise is priced from $2,749pp twin share – and Travel the World is offering $50 onboard credit for bookings before 30 November 2009. Call 1300 766 566 or see www.traveltheworld.com.au.
&58,6( & $/(1'$5 Each week Cruise Weekly summarises which ships are in town. PACIFIC DAWN Syd ney Sydney
Tue 13 Oct
DAWN PRINCESS Syd ney Sydney
Fri 16 Oct
Brisbane
Sun 18 Oct
RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS Syd ney Sydney
Sat 17 Oct
SUN PRINCESS Newcastle
Sun 18 Oct
New terminal for Hobart HOBART IS SET TO GET ITS LONG-AWAITED CRUISE ship terminal within about two years. The Macquarie Wharf Number Two shed will be transformed into a terminal, and also house an Antarctic research centre. The shed will be used as a cruise passenger transfer area from next month, with extra car spaces also on the way.
Heli-golf and game fishing in one ISL AND Escape Cruises ISLAND is operating two six-day ‘Golf & Game Fishing’ adventures in the Northland region of New Zealand. The boutique cruise company has arranged play on four of the best seaside courses, with helicopter transfers taking golfers to and from each course. Afterwards passengers are welcomed back on board for an afternoon of game fishing in the Bay of Islands. There are three levels of ensuite accommodation and the fare includes chef-prepared meals, use of motorised golf carts, fishing gear, fishing guides, the helicopter transfers and return airline transfers between Auckland and Keri Keri. Golfers’ prices start at NZ$7740 (AU$6245) or NZ$4240 (AU$3420) for non-playing partners, departing from Auckland in March 2010. Visit www.islandescape.co.nz for more details or talk to your travel agent. page 2
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Kids and teens cruise free to Bali 3 2 5 7 + 2 / (
CL ASSIC International Cruises is offering free travel for under-18s on two school holiday CLASSIC cruises aboard Athena to Bali this summer. Parents only need to pay $300 for each child to cover port charges and taxes. The special family deal applies to two adults and two children on a 10-night Christmas cruise return from Fremantle in WA on 20 December plus an overnight stay in Bali (priced from $4790 for the family of four, including all onboard meals and Christmas festivities); and an 11-night cruise with a three-day stay in Bali (from $4840 per family). Adding to the convenience for families, passengers can use the small ship as their base while exploring the island, and the onboard currency is Australian dollars. Bookings are available via travel agents.
%URFKXUH RI WKH ZHHN THE latest brochure from Lüftner Cruises has been released with prices in Australian dollars. Lüftner Cruises operates eight ships on the Dutch and Belgian canals and the Rhine and Danube rivers, including the five-star Amadeus Diamond (2009) and Amadeus Elegant (2010), Amadeus Princess, Amadeus Symphony and Amadeus Classic and Amadeus Royal. These ships are designed to carry up to 160 passengers in comfort. The 52-page brochure highlights voyages priced from $1055 per person (including taxes, port charges, wines with dinner and selected shore excursions) – for a Christmas and New Year five-night sailing on the Danube – up to $4625 for a cruise across Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest. For more details, see a travel agent.
cruise weekly Tuesday 13 October 2009
ecruising up for an award ONLINE CRUISE BOOKING SERVICE, ECRUISING.TRAVEL has become the first-ever travel company to be named a finalist in the annual City of Sydney Business Awards. It received the third highest number of votes in the Tourism category for 2009; the other four finalists in the category are tour operators and attractions. Winners will be announced next week.
Vote for new ships’ names AUSTRALIANS CAN NOW VOTE FOR THE NAMES OF the 16th and 17th members of the Costa Cruises fleet, due for delivery in spring 2011 and 2012. Travel agents from around the world submitted their suggestions throughout the year but it is the public who chooses the winning names. For a shortlist of the 25 pairs of names, visit au.worldofcosta.com. Cr uise W eekl ia/New Zeal and Cruise Weekl eeklyy Austral Australia/New Zealand PO Box 428, West Ryde NSW 1685 Ph: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 www.cruiseweekly.com.au
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CREW ARE NOT HAPPY WITH one aspect of the cruise line’s expansion into the UK – British passengers don’t tip as much as Americans. Managing director for the UK and Ireland, Robin Shaw, told a cruise forum in Barcelona that it’s a big issue for cabin stewards and waiters who rely on tips for a large part of their incomes. RCC, which doesn’t automatically add tips onto customer bills, may decide to adopt the system used by other cruise lines, which include all onboard gratuities in their fares. It’s a problem that the crew may also encounter in Australia this season – most Aussies don’t tip much either. A WOMAN HAS WRITTEN TO A NEWSPAPER TO complain that her husband refuses to cruise because ships don’t serve real ale. The Sunday Times travel expert responded that several cruise lines carry draught beer as well as lager, but they are keg beers, not cask conditioned. The nearest thing to a British pub afloat is the Golden Lion Pub on Cunard Queen vessels, complete with pint pots, dartboards and classic pub meals such as bangers and mash. Other lines that have draught ale include Fred Olsen, Princess, P&O, Hapag-Lloyd and Saga Cruises – cheers! THE MALDIVES GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO hold a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming. President Nasheed, a qualified diver, and his cabinet, who are undergoing dive training, will sign a document during the dive, calling for cuts in carbon emissions. Ministers will communicate using hand signals and waterproof boards and pens. Nasheed will also hold a press conference in the water. He warns that the islands’ residents will soon need to find new homes if the UN’s prediction on rising sea levels is correct.
Editorial Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Bruce Piper info@cruiseweekly.com.au
A dvertising & P Prr omotions Advertising & Marketing Manager Lisa Maroun advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au
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OPEN Ͳ 10am until 4pm
FREE ENTRY Invitation to attend the European Travel Expo SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
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Visit these European Specialists at the Expos Access Ireland / UK Holidays Adagio City Aparthotel
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In support they have been joined by a number of wonderful European tourist offices, international airlines and travel insurance providers.
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Many exhibitors are not large or impersonal companies. You’ll find highly trained staff with considerable, practical European experience who will not only be able to directly answer all your questions but also provide you with sensible planning, travel hints and advice. You will also get a much clearer picture of what is available as they often offer better value, extra services and distinctly different ideas and products to those offered by the big, main stream companies.
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COMPETITION ENTRY * Scandinavian Fly/Cruise Holiday for 2 * Paris accommodation for 5 nights
Irish Travel Specialist Ͳ car hire, accommodation, tours and more. Adagio offers 3 and 4Ͳstar apartments with hotel services in the heart of European major cities, for medium and long stays « a Home Away From Home». Escorted tours – with a significant difference. France Tourism Development Agency. It's got to be Austria. Discover the beauty and culture of the world’s most charming destination. Slovenia – experience the real heart of Europe. Discover more with your local experts in escorted and independent travel throughout Russia, Eastern & Central Europe, Croatia and Viking River Cruises. Bunnik Tours specialise in small group tours to Europe, the Middle East, The Americas, Asia & Africa . Greece / Greek Island / Egypt / Turkey Specialists. "...travel insurance you can trust..." Cruise Weekly is proudly Australia's newest cruise newsletter available FREE to all cruise lovers and first time cruisers by email every Tuesday Let us help you Discover the charm of Portugal Your airline to Europe. Number one Travel Specialist to France! Germany Ͳthe travel destination, a land of a thousand possibilities. Car Hire, Leasing & Motor Home Rentals. Enjoy Europe at leisure, travelling First Class on the Great Trains of Europe. We know the Mediterranean Destinations Australian Travellers Love. The famous Norwegian Coastal Voyage journey offered by Hurtigruten is often described as 'the world's most beautiful voyage'. The Traveler's Source for Booking Global Rail. Friendly and knowledgeable experts for tours and cruises in Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, High Arctic, Western Russia and the Baltic States. Scandinavian Airlines is the natural choice for travel to, from and within Scandinavia, Finland, the Baltics and beyond. A smorgasbord of unique experiences on Denmark, Norway & Sweden. Fall in love with flying all over again. Your one stop shop for Italy. We know Italy. We are renowned for our passion, expertise and knowledge. Allow us to create for you a true Italian Experience Relax and enjoy your travels knowing your personal travel manager is a phone call away. Finland is Europe’s hottest spot for a cool time!
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͙ Tick here if you are over 18 years of age and are eligible to enter the Major Prize draw of a Scandinavian holiday for 2.
͙ Tick here if you would like to receive details of special offers and product updates from the speciality European travel operators shown on the European Travel Expo entry leaflet. Place entry in the EuroTravel Experts Entry Box at the expo in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Terms and Conditions are available at www.eurotravelexperts.com.au and on the Entry Box.
EUROPEAN TRAVEL EXPO COMPETITION MAJOR PRIZE Scandinavian Fly/Cruise Holiday for 2 – valued at more than $11,000*
MINOR PRIZES (3) 5 nights Paris accommodation – valued at more than $1000 each* (one prize for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) Full Terms & Conditions @ www.eurotravelexperts.com.au
FREE ENTRY
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Windstar Cruises amazing Europe savings
7 nights from $4,950pp t/s*
From $2,178pp t/s* SAVE $1,194 per person
• Caribbean cruise departing Fortede-France on 20 November 2009 • Accommodation in a Superior Cabin • 3 gourmet buffet meals per day • All day open bar and snacking service • Huge range of sports and activities with expert tuition, and nightly entertainment
• Departs 02 May 2010, Rome to Venice cruise • 7-night cruise onboard msy Wind Surf • Includes all meals, entertainment and activities whilst cruising, cruise NDAs and taxes
Contact your local travel agent of Travel the World on 1300 857 437 *Conditions: valid for sale until 30 Dec 2009 or until sold out. Must quote ‘TTW Exclusive Europe Promotion’ when booking. Other conditions apply.
Club Med 2 - Caribbean
www.traveltheworld.com.au
Contact your travel agent or call 1800 258 263
SeaDream II - 10 January 2010 Caribbean Virgin Islands
From $4,790*
From US$3,191pp t/s*
• Two adults and two children under 18, including all taxes • Kids under 18 cruise free, paying taxes only of around $300 each • 10 & 11 night Bali cruises on family-friendly Athena return from Fremantle WA on 20 Dec 2009 and 04 Jan 2010 • Extended stay in Bali with Athena docking close to Kuta
• 7 nights of SeaDream style • San Juan - St Thomas • Just 56 staterooms and 95 crew • Inclusive of meals, wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, gratuities, motorised water sports and MORE! • Space is limited, book now!
www.classicintcruises.com
Contact your travel professsional or email info@seadream.com www.seadream.com *Airfares extra, and conditions apply.
*Conditions apply and subject to availability.
Grand Yangtze ex. Australia
3 night Best of the Malaysia Cruise From $643pp t/s*
19 days from $5,968 pp t/s* • Visit the Yu Gardens in Shanghai • Mt Huang, Yangtze River Cruise • Cruise the Three Gorges Dam, Yangtze River • Chengdu Panda Reserve • Terracotta Warriors in Xian • Walk along the Great Wall, visit Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing
• Departs 17 Nov 2009 from Singapore • Three nights accommodation onboard Legend of the Seas • Visits Penang & Kuala Lumpur • 50% off second pax when booking any deluxe cabin (JS & above) • Complimentary upgrade from Interior to Oceanview (based on Category J) • Includes all port taxes & surcharges
For more info call 1300 727 998 or see your travel agent *Price includes airline fuel surcharge $400 and tipping $88 (subject to change). Tour price includes airfares and all charges, all meals, accommodation, transport and visas!
www.clubmed.com.au
*Terms and conditions apply. Adult (12+)
Take the family to Bali this Christmas on a 10-night cruise for around $4800!
Bookings via travel agents. Visit www.classicintcruises.com
WHERE HAPPINESS MEANS THE WORLD
www.wendywutours.com.au
Book online or call 1300 366 268 *Terms and conditions apply.
www.EseaCruising.com.au