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Another Classic ship for Aussies effectively doubles CIC’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region – with its 550-passenger flagship Athena based in Adelaide and Perth. The move comes one week after Australia’s Orion Expedition Cruises revealed its plan to double its capacity with a second ship, Orion II, also to be based in Asia.
Classic International Cruises has announced that its liner Princess Daphne will sail out of Singapore and Hong Kong from next summer – with most passengers expected to be Australians.
“We expect our new cruises to be very popular with Australians.”
THE 500-PASSENGER LINER PRINCESS DAPHNE WILL offer cruises in Asia from December 2010 to April 2011, with Australian dollars to be accepted onboard. Full details will be released in two weeks but a company spokesman told Cruise Weekly that the season will consist of nine “mostly round-trip” cruises from Singapore and Hong Kong. Itineraries from seven to 17 nights include port calls in China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, Brunei, Vietnam and India’s Andaman Islands. Each itinerary is different and can be sailed back-to-back with a 10% discount. CIC’s Australian managing director Grant Hunter said Princess Daphne’s cruises would appeal to Australians keen to see a variety of destinations and beach resorts in the one cruise, with overnight visits planned for Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Halong Bay, Tokyo, Kobe, Da Nang and Sihanoukville. “We expect our new cruises in the Far East to be very popular amongst Australians and other international passengers,” he said. Mr Hunter estimated that at least 50% of passengers on each cruise would be Australian. CIC has offered other Asia cruise programs over the past decade using two of its smaller ships, Funchal and Arion, most recently in 2006. Princess Daphne will be the line’s biggest ever vessel to be based in Asia and
Mr Hunter said the atmosphere aboard Princess Daphne “reprises the traditional shipboard life of a bygone era”. Refurbished in 2008, the 16,000-ton ship has a deep hull for ocean cruising as well as five lounges and bars, restaurant, gym, library, casino and show lounge. Of the 240 cabins, 90% offer ocean views, mostly through portholes; and six out of the 73 suites have private balconies. The lowest-priced option aboard Princess Daphne next summer is a seven-night round-trip cruise from Singapore on 06 January 2011, to Penang, Phuket, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, priced from $1135 per person, twin-share. Other highlights include a nine-night New Year’s cruise from Singapore to Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, priced from $1580; and a 17-night round-trip voyage from Hong Kong on 06 March 2011, to six ports in China, Korea and Japan, priced from $2545. The new 32-page ‘Princess Daphne Far East’ brochure for the Australian market will be available on 17 December and bookings can be made through travel agents. See www.classicintcruises.com.
TODAY’S CRUISE WEEKLY uise W eekl Today’s issue of Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy has five pages of news and photos.
TUESDAY 08 DECEMBER 2009
www.cruiseweekly.com.au Ph: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221 Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Bruce Piper
&58,6( & $/(1'$5 Each week Cruise Weekly summarises which ships are in town. PACIFIC DAWN Syd ney Sydney
Wed 09 Dec
DIAMOND PRINCESS Brisbane
Tue 08 Dec
Syd ney Sydney
Thu 10 Dec
Mel bour ne Melbour bourne
Sat 12 Dec
SUN PRINCESS ney Sydney Syd
Thu 10 Dec
Mel bour ne Melbour bourne
Sat 12 Dec
PACIFIC JEWEL Syd ney Sydney
Thu 10 Dec
Mel bour ne Melbour bourne
Tue 15 Dec
RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS Wed 09 Dec Brisbane Sydney Fri 11 Dec Syd ney DAWN PRINCESS Brisbane Sydney Syd ney
Tue 08 Dec Fri 11 Dec
VOLENDAM Mel bour ne Melbour bourne
Tue 08 Dec
Wel elll ington
Tue 15 Dec
PACIFIC SUN Mel bour ne Melbour bourne
Wed 09 Dec
Ad el aid e Adel elaid aide
Fri 11 Dec
2010 River Cruise Journeys – Europe, Russia, China & Egypt:
Save $1,500 per person +Complimentary Wine with dinner Book and pay in full by 18 December, 2009
Viking River Cruises itineraries and services provide an excellent travel value. Deluxe accommodation on board elegant and comfortable ships. Sumptuous meals and daily included sightseeing tours, demonstrations, lectures and workshops. Also included are shipboard gratuities and port charges. And in 2010 we offer our best-ever Early Booking Discount, available through 18 December, 2009.
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. EBD offer expires 18 December, 2009 and valid on 2010 sailings only. Must refer to booking code EBD at the time of booking. Complimentary wine (2 glasses with dinner on board) included with EBD.
cruise weekly Tuesday 08 December 2009
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THIS WEEK AT SEA ... SEA... TIPPING is one of those aspects of cruising that can grate on many Australians. While most of us are happy to give an extra 10% or 20% for good service, we don’t like a tip to be compulsory. P&O Cruises has responded to this customer issue and decided to remove automatic passenger tipping, effective from October 2010. First of all, it’s encouraging to see an essentially American custom being dumped on cruises sailing from Australia – the more cruising grows here, the more it should be adapted to our way of life. The current ‘recommended daily gratuity’ on P&O ships is $7.50 per passenger per day – unless you request for it be removed from your onboard account – so this is just an easier, less confronting way to exercise this choice. By not guaranteeing a tip, we’re also urging the crew to keep up their standards – they now know that they’ll only be rewarded if a passenger thinks they deserve it. However, this isn’t permission to become ridiculously demanding and expect the world from the staff who work so hard to keep people happy on their holidays. I hope Aussie cruisers continue to tip, as they do in restaurants, because a ship’s crew do a lot more than the average waiter (who we tip much more for a meal that lasts only a couple of hours); meanwhile, our cabin stewards have to wait on us for days or weeks at a time, greeting us by name, cleaning up our mess and answering all our silly questions. Never mind whether you think P&O will slip the money back onto your fare anyway (such cynicism!) or if you think cruise lines should pay their staff a higher salary so that you don’t have to subsidise it. A tip is just between you and the crew member. Of course, if you disagree with the whole concept, then the beauty of P&O’s policy is that you won’t have to go out of your way to get out of tipping. But let’s not do away with all traditions on cruises because it’s those little things that differentiate it from flying, driving and staying in hotels, and contribute to the overall experience. Louise Gol Gold sburyy dsbur itor uise W eekl Editor itor,, Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy Ed
cruise weekly Tuesday 08 December 2009
Cruising contribution hits $1.2bn The Australian cruise sector’s economic contribution has skyrocketed by 54% and is expected to grow at a faster rate than the national economy over the next decade – if “bottlenecks” are avoided. THE AUSTRALIAN CRUISE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO lead the tourism sector, according to the latest Access Economics report released yesterday. Cruising’s contribution to the national economy rose 54% from $781 million to $1.2 billion in 2007-08, compared to the general holiday sector where international tourism rose by only 3.9%, and domestic tourism activity actually dropped 2.4%. The report also indicated that the cruise industry is expected to achieve annual growth of 7% over the next 10 years, significantly outperforming the Australian economy. But a number of steps must be taken to help avoid “current and future bottlenecks”, Access Economics recommended.
“Issues around the provision of suitable infrastructure, in Sydney and elsewhere, will need to be addressed for the sector to reach its growth potential,” the report said. Carnival Australia ceo, Ann Sherry, said governments needed to further improve port facilities to cope with the growth in the size of ships and passenger numbers. “Only 15% of liners visiting Sydney in 2020 will be able to dock west of the Harbour Bridge,” Sherry said, with Carnival urging investment in the fast-growing sector.
Princess needs Godparents! PRINCESS CRUISES IS OFFERING AN OPEN invitation to anyone wishing to become an honorary godparent to its newly renamed Ocean Princess vessel. New godparents are invited to the online christening, where they will be ‘virtually’ whisked away to Singapore (where Ocean Princess has just completed a two week drydock stint). Each new godparent will automatically generate a $1 donation from Princess Cruises to the New England Aquarium (located in the US city of Boston). ick her e. To become a godparent cl click here
Island Escapes to a NZ Sound
ISLAND ESCAPE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW ZEALAND Geographic has recently completed its inaugural cruises within one of New Zealand’s most famous waterways, Marlborough Sound. Travelling aboard Island Escapes’ small (10-cabin) luxury vessel Island Passage, guests were able to explore rarely traversed areas of the world heritage listed site, innaccessable to larger vessels. “The cruise is fabulous and enjoyed by everyone onboard...we had great weather to add to the highlights of French Pass, D’Urville Island and Admiralty Bay” said
Island Escape’s ceo Peter Bissett who was on board for the adventure. A local guide was also on the ship to enlighten guests as to the region’s unique culture, history and points of interest along the way. Additional activities included sea kayaking and helicoter adventures as well as spectacular hiking opportunities. Island Passage has now returned to Auckland for the commencement of her Hauraki Gulf Marine Park series but will return to the region in November next year. page 2
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Last Minute Deals
Oasis
THIS WEEKLY COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS HOT DEALS ON By Bruce cruises departing in the next 90 days – ideal for our spontaneous readers. Check out this week’s cruise bargains! 7 nights – R oundtrip fr om Miami Roundtrip from onboar d Oasis of the Seas onboard • Departs: 30 January 2010 • From: $4,099 per person • Stops in St Thomas, St Maarten, and Nassau • Includes return airfares from Sydney, 1 night pre and 1 night post cruise accomodation and all taxes. • To book, see www.ecruising.travel. 12 nights – R oundtrip fr om Syd ney Roundtrip from Sydney onboar d Pacific Sun onboard • Departs: 29 December 2009 • From $1,879 per person • Stops in the Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Vila, Wala, Champagne Bay and Poum • Includes all taxes and onboard meals • See www.eseacruising.com.au. 11 nights – R oundtrip fr om Brisbane Roundtrip from onboar d Pacific Dawn onboard •Departs: 17 December 2009 •From: $899 per person •Stops in Port Arthur, Hobart, Coles Bay, Burnie, Melbourne and Sydney •Includes all taxes, onboard meals and entertainment •See www.ecruising.travel.
Orion II books out! WITHIN JUST 24 HOURS OF ANNOUNCING DETAILS CW of Orion II’s maiden voyage next year (CW last week) expressions of booking interest from her past passengers exceeded her 50 suite and stateroom capacity. The 24-day voyage from Vancouver to Kushiro via Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands, was offered to Orion’s ‘pathways’ past passengers in a special pre-public release last week. With pricing not yet finalised, the offer gave pathways passengers the opportunity to reserve their spots onboard with a fully refundable deposit. Within one day all the berths were filledand passengers now wishing to gain a spot must join the current waitlist. “This support validates how highly our guests regard the Orion product, experience and family,” said Orion’s managing director, Sarina Bratton. For information on the Orion II see www.orionexpeditions.com.
cruise weekly Tuesday 08 December 2009
EXPLORE THE KIMBERLEY
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Written by Roderick Eime, Editor of Cruise Passenger Adventure Guide.
Piper
Aussies V ote for Local A dventur e Cr uising Vote Ad venture Cruising In an eye-opening poll by the print publication, Cruise Passenger Magazine, Australian cruise fans have voted for our own Kimberley as their Best Cruise Region. This remarkable turnaround may be a result of the dreaded GFC or just a growing awareness of our own enviable natural assets, but the result has dethroned the mighty Mediterranean from its once unassailable top spot. While the Mediterranean is still close to our hearts, the Kimberley is clearly gaining a very special place in our travelling psyche. “The Kimberley is such a beautiful area... We loved the cliffs, the changing scenery, the Aboriginal art, the waterfalls and the solitude,” said Adrian Lutton, of Gordon, NSW, who cruised the Kimberley with his wife. “Every day there was something different to Oceanic Discovery cruises the Kimberley do,” Adrian added. In the categories of Best Small Ship and Best Adventure Cruise Ship, there was little surprise to find Sarina Bratton’s beloved Orion leading the charge. However in the category of Best Ship Cuisine, Orion’s Serge Dansereau’s menu came up trumps, toppling the fancier international runners. “Orion offers fabulous destinations accompanied by expert guides who ensure each experience is an adventure,” said Robyn Jacobs of Killarney Heights, NSW, who cruised aboard the boutique Australian liner to Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea with her husband, Greg, in April this year. “We found Orion to be really well organised and it definitely visited remote places,” said Robyn. Looking for more surprises, it was refreshing to see tiny Kimberley specialist, True North, snapping at Orion’s heels in all three categories. When you consider True North carries only one third as many passengers as Orion, client satisfaction is clearly overwhelming. Having travelled on both vessels, it’s easy to see how either can develop strong loyalties with past travellers. I’d say the message to frequent cruisers of K2O’s vessel explores the dramatic Kimberley’s each is to check the other vessel out. Third place in Best Adventure Cruise Ship was another favourite of mine, Oceanic Discoverer, operated by Cairns-based adventure pioneers, Coral Princess Cruises. Carrying 72 passengers to the Kimberley, NZ, PNG and Melanesia, Oceanic Discoverer should be on your list too. Clearly the Kimberley is racing up the charts in our favourites. With media attention from the movie ‘Australia’ and the oil and gas projects planned along the Western Australian coast, the Kimberley has enjoyed a press deluge these last twelve months. But let’s not sit by idly congratulating ourselves - the Kimberley needs our help. “We are watching politics dictate the terms and conditions of our homelands… places where we’ve always had a sense of connection and belonging. “We are now being told that this homeland, this country is now going to be used for industrial development,” said the Aboriginal spokesperson for the Save The Kimberley organisation, Albert Wiggan. Visit the Kimberley, soak up the ancient landscapes and all that it delivers, but remember, we are the custodians of this special place. We decide what happens there and if it is still around for future generations. .savethekimberl ey .com Please visit: www www.savethekimberl .savethekimberley ey.com .com.
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%URFKXUH RI WKH ZHHN HUR TIGRUTEN has HURTIGRUTEN launched its brand new 2010/11 brochure, featuring 156 glossy colour pages of authentic cruise adventures around the European and Norwegian coastlines, as well as expedition voyages to Antarctica, Greenland and Spitsbergen. The brochure provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of Hurtigruten’s history, company ethos, 13 ship offering, itineraries, partner hotels, excursions and cruise extentions, as well as its destinations and scenic wonders. Itinerary highlights of the brochure include the 12-day ‘Classic Round Voyage’ cruise through Bergen, Alesund, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim, the Arctic Circle, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Kirkenes, Tromso and the Lofoten Islands as well as the 17-day ‘Shackleton’s Christmas Adventure’ from Ushuaia travelling through the Falkland Islands to Antarctica. The brochure is grouped by destination and departure points and also features a detailed map of the Norwegian coastline, as well as distance and timetable keys. To get a copy of the brochure, see your local travel agent.
P&O removes tipping!
A Jewel Current Affair
FROM OCTOBER 2010 GUESTS ABOARD ALL OF P&O’s vessels will be able to able to reward crew members for exceptional service at their own discretion, following P&O’s recent announcement that it will be scrapping its current automatic tipping policy. “Tipping is a personal decision for Australians, so we have decided to update our policy in response to both passenger feedback and community expectations,” said Jenny Lourey, senior vice president of Carnival Australia (operators of P&0). “As cruising becomes increasingly popular in Australia, we’re continuing to develop our onboard product to reflect Australians’ expectations, whether that’s using Australian currency onboard or updating our menus to recognise local tastes...the changes to our tipping policy are part of that evolution,” Lourey added. The policy will also be reflected in the new P&O Cruises’ brochure, which is due for release in April 2010.
CHANNEL NINE’S NEWS PROGRAM ‘A CURRENT affair’ will be reporting live from onboard P&O’s newest superliner, Pacific Jewel, when she arrives in Sydney on Thursday. The report is set to include a sneak peek inside the Jewel before her grand launch and naming ceremony at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal next Saturday 12 December. Viewers taste buds will also be tingling, with the report including a tour of celebrity chef Luke Mangan’s new ‘Salt Grill’ restaurant on board the vessel. MEANWHILE Cruise Weekly, in conjunction with P&O Cruises is giving readers the chance to sample some fine ‘Salt Grill’ dining before anyone else- with an exclusive onboard recipe. For full recipe details see page five five.
Scentuous Splendida MSC HAS ADDED A NEW AROMATIC ELEMENT TO ITS MSC Splendida experience. The new fragerance ‘Med by MSC’ blends fig, almond and vetiver scents together to create a ‘warm and welcoming’ atmosphere infusing guest linens and selected onboard passenger areas.
Costa’s sustainability COSTA CRUISES HAS RELEASED ITS LATEST CRUISE sustainability report which presents the cruise operator’s environmental performance data for 2008. According to the report Costa has reduced its fuel consumption by 5% per mile sailed and has also reduced its consumption of potable water by 5% per person. Other points of interest include Costa’s 8.5% reduction in garbage and 30% overall ‘special waste’ recycling efforts.
A Legendary Viking christening
New Mekong packages BLUE SKY HOLIDAYS HAS RELEASED A SERIES OF brand new 8-20 night cruise packages travelling along one of the worlds’ greatest rivers - between Vietnam and Cambodia aboard the Mekong river’s newest riverboat, La Marguerite. Named after the French novelist, Marguerite Duras who wrote about her life in Vietnam’s French colonial era in the 1930’s, Le Marguerite features the only balcony cabins on the Mekong River. Other onboard features include a pool, spa, gym, ‘chill-out’ lounge, fine dining restaurant and verandah suites. Blue Sky Holidays’ Le Marguerite specials start at $1718pp for an eight-day Saigon to Siem Reap journey including most meals, tours and beverages. Itinerary highlights include visits to remote jungle villages as well as free rickshaw and junk boat tours taking in countryside vistas and floating markets - for more information see www.blueskyholidays.com.
Under a cloudy Amsterdam sky, VikingRiver Cruises last week officially launched its newest vessel, Viking Legend. The luxury river cruiser’s godmother, travel industry veteran Stevi Tracas commenced proceedings with a special nautical blessing: “May you sail the great rivers of Europe with impeccable style and with a special respect for our environment. “May you be the setting for the delight and joy of travellers seeking new and enriching vistas, and may your journeys promote understanding and harmony amongst all cultures. “I now christen this legendary ship Viking Legend. “May you hold safe your dedicated crew and honoured guests. “And may you always have a hand width of water under your keel!” Viking Legend is a state of the art luxury river cruiser which offers accommodation for 189 guests in 97 staterooms, including two suites, 90 deluxe doubles and five singles (most with a French balcony), and its four 2010 itineraries are now on sale - kicking off with a 10-day Tulips and Windmills program through Holland and Belgium. For more information or to book a cruise aboard Viking Legend, see your local travel agent.
cruise weekly Tuesday 08 December 2009
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Christmas in the Harbour Discounts on North Star CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES IS OFFERING A CHOICE OF four ‘Christmas Day Lunch’ cruises, allowing guests to enjoy their Christmas festivities whilst taking in Sydney’s spectacular harbour. Captain Cook’s three level mv Sydney 2000 vessel will feature three Christmas Day lunches, including the deluxe Sky Deck menu ($249pp), the Club Deck buffet ($179pp) and Show Deck buffet ($129pp). The Sky Deck lunch is situated on the firstclass upper deck level, and features a fivecourse premium menu with premium wines, an open bar and live band entertainment. The Club and Show Deck lunch offerings include a buffet lunch with a wide selection of meats and salads. The fourth buffet lunch will be hosted onboard its sailing catamaran Aussie Legend and is priced from $199 per adult. For information call 1800 804 843.
NORTH STAR CRUISES IS OFFERING 20 PERCENT off all cabins onboard its season opener, the 10-night ‘West Coast Explorer’ in February. Cruising from Perth to Dampier, ‘West Coast Explorer’ highlights include a discovery dive exploring the wreck of the Batavia, a visit to Webbie Haye’s fort, a hike to the top of Steep Point, snorkeling the famous Ningaloo Reef, swimming with manta rays, and of course fishing for jewfish and snapper. Joining the journey will also be home-grown ‘guru of the stars’ Greg Quickie, who will tutor guests on the wonders of the night sky. Discounted cruise prices start from $8995 per person, and can be combined with North Star’s ‘Previous Guest Bonus’ to add extra value. For information visit your local travel agent or see www.northstarcruises.com.au.
Recipe uise W eekl This week’s exclusive Cr Cruise Weekl eeklyy recipe comes from Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill Resturant aboard P&O’s newest superliner Pacific Jewel.
Sashimi of hiramasa kingfish, ginger and eschallots, fetta and wild rocket - serves 2 Preparation Sugar Syr up Syrup up: Put sugar and water in a saucepan and boil until sugar dissolves. Sugar syrup lasts for a long time and is handy to have made up. Store in a sterilized jar in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 litre. Dr essing Dressing essing:
Ingredients • 200g good quality kingfish • 20g fetta • pinch of seasalt and fr eshl ound bl ack freshl eshlyy gr ground black pepper • 10g wil d rrocket ocket wild Dr essing: • 50g pickl ed ginger Dressing: pickled • 10g sugar • 40ml rice wine vinegar iced • 30g eschal ots, peel ed and finel eschalots, peeled finelyy d diced • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp extra-vir gin ol ive oil extra-virgin olive Sugar Syr up: • 500g sugar Syrup: • 500mls water • 250ml donnay vinegar chard 250mlss char 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
Peel and slice ginger very thinly with a sharp knife (or mandolin if you have one). Blanch in boiling water 3 times at 2minute intervals and refresh in cold water each time. Heat sugar syrup and 250mls chardonnay vinegar together and pour over blanched ginger and simmer for 3-5 min. Let it cool. Place in fridge for at least a couple of hours, for flavours to develop. To ser ve: serve: Dice the ginger as finely as you can (retaining pickling liquor), mix with shallot and soy sauce, olive oil and rice wine vinegar, sugar and season. Slice kingfish thinly with a sharp filleting knife, season and drizzle with ginger and eschalot dressing. Finish with crumbled fetta and wild rocket.
Editorial Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Bruce Piper info@cruiseweekly.com.au
cruise weekly Tuesday 08 December 2009
A dvertising & P Prromotions Advertising & Marketing Manager Lisa Maroun advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au
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A NZ DOLPHIN NAMED MOKO HAS COME UNDER the spotlight after taking a particular liking to human females. The 200kg male bottle-nosed dolphin arrived in NZ’s Mahia Beach in 2007, and over the years he has become a major aquatic tourist attraction. However, recently locals have detected an alteration in his mood, saying he is beginning to show a little more than general interest in female swimmers. Last week he refused to let a female swimmer return to shore, because he was having too much fun, and didn’t want the game to end. WHAT’S BEING BILLED AS THE WORLD’S FIRST EVER “Cougar Cruise” sailed out of San Diego today. For the uninitiated. a ‘Cougar’ is defined as an older woman who pursues younger men - with the idea based on the 2001 Valerie Gibson Book Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men. This three night voyage is taking place on board Carnival Elation and was marketed with the tag line “A Cougar knows exactly what she wants... and what she doesn’t want is children, cohabitation or commitment”. It’s been organised by California firm the Singles Travel Company, and by all accounts it’s been a big hit, selling out almost as soon as it was announced some months ago and a long waiting list. The voyage will feature Miss Cougar America 2009, Gloria Navarro (right), who was recently crowned at the US National Single Cougars Convention. page 5