Launched in 1997 as the second of Princess Cruises’ Sun-class ships, Dawn Princess is based in Australia year-round and only has Australian currency onboard. Dawn Princess offers passengers a unique experience throughout some of the world’s most exciting destinations, according to Princess Cruises Australasian Public Relations Manager, Meg Koffel, when detailing the journeys that the ship does around Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The ship has been recently been refitted to include popular onboard features, such as The Sanctuary and Movies Under the Stars.

Refined and graceful, Sun-class ships offer many of the choices attributed to larger Grand-class ships without sacrificing the smaller-ship atmosphere for which they're noted for. The ships exude that classic style so often pictured on luxury liners . Dawn Princess has a four-story atrium featuring a marble floor, stained-glass dome, and magnificent floating staircase, ideal settings for relaxation, people-watching, and perhaps making that grand entrance.Sun andDawn Princess are deployed in the South Pacific for the 2013/14 Australian Cruising Season.

Onboard decor is a quite neutral, easy on the eyes after a sunny day spent ashore. The main public rooms are situated on four lower decks, and, with the exception of the promenade deck, cabins are forward and aft. In a nice design twist, the casino is somewhat isolated, and passengers aren't required to use it as a passageway through to the dining rooms ormain show lounge.

• Florentine Dining Room
• Venetian Dining Room

• Sterling Steakhouse [$30 per head} for dinner and well worth it, infact I recommend it!

• Ultimate Balcony Dining.

• Horizon Court buffet, is open almost 24/7 with a wide variety of great tasting food to choose.

• La Scala Pizzeria- did not try one but think I really missed out there.

• Patisserie now Amuleto, Italian Cafe.

• Sundaes ice cream bar now New Zealand Natural Ice Cream , two flavours vanilla and vanilla and chocolate together, not a bad taste.

• Balcony Grill Now called the Terace Grill (burgers, hot dogs, kebab and pies) could have kept going back for more.

• Riviera Pool (plus 2 hot tubs)

• Lotus Spa Pool (plus 2 hot tubs)

• The Sanctuary (adults only)

• Lotus Spa, gym and fitness area

Enrichment  

• World-class art collection, gallery and auctions
• ScholarShip@Sea
• 24-hour Internet Cafe (wireless access available)
• Library and writing room

• Boutiques (duty-free)

• Future Cruise Sales

• Princess Theatre

• Vista Show Lounge

• Grand Casino

• Wheelhouse Bar

• Atrium Lounge and Bar
• Jammers
• Magnums

Cabins.

Your home away from home gives you a wonderful place to return each day. Where you have been on a shore tour, relaxing by the pool or been doing some FUN activities onboard rest assured at the end of each day you will return to your cabin your own private escape ! Princess Cruise's have a variety of cabins to choose from : It may be an inside,oceanview,balcony or even your own private suite. At the end of the day it's all there for you to enjoy!

Ultra-Luxury Penthouse Spa Suites Added to Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn has introduced its elegant Penthouse Spa Suites to Seabourn Odyssey just in time for the ultra-luxury liner’s upcoming Australian summer.

The 32,000-tonne ship is heading down under for another summer of cruising from December 21, 2014, to February 23, 2015, and for the first time will offer an additional element of luxury with four new Spa Suites.

Located directly above the industry leading Spa at Seabourn facility, guests can access the suites via a spiral staircase in the lobby of the spa, and enjoy unlimited access to the spa’s Serene Area, as well as spa amenities in the suite itself and the services of a spa concierge during the voyage. 

The spacious suites offer 50 square metres of inside space and expansive private verandas with views over the ship’s stern and out to sea. All feature a living and a dining area with seating for four, a separate bedroom, walk-in closet, glass door and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the veranda, a bathroom with a tub and special spa shower, and two flat-screen TVs.  

Spa suites guests are offered a variety of healthy amenities and spa specialties including personal beverage preferences as well an in-suite bar stocked with flavoured water, fruit juices and a selection of healthy snacks. A calming L’Occitane fragrance is diffused throughout the suite during the evening turndown and soothing spa music is available as a background soundtrack. The bathrooms feature Molton Brown specialty spa products and upon arrival, guests are invited to select from a menu of luxurious bath sponges, as well as designer soaps by Hermes, L’Occitane, Baudelaire and Salvatore Ferragamo. 

The Spa at Seabourn features heated lounges, an aroma steam bath with salt inhalation, a herbal bath, a Kneipp walk and luxurious pampering services such as Chinese reflexology, aromatherapy and Thai massage. 

Seabourn Director of Sales in Australia Tony Archbold said the Penthouse suites were an exciting addition to Seabourn Odyssey.

“The Penthouse Spa Suites take the Seabourn experience to a whole new level of luxury and indulgence - we can’t wait to show them off down under,” he said. 

During Seabourn Odyssey’s visit down under, the US$300 million ship will make 18 calls to Australian ports.

Penthouse Spa Suite fares start from $15,449* per person double occupancy for a 16-day cruise on Seabourn Odyssey from Denpasar to Sydney on December 5, 2014, calling at Lembar and Komodo Island in Indonesia and Darwin, Cairns, Hamilton Island and Townsville with a bonus shipboard credit of US$500 per person.

For travellers keen to explore Australia and New Zealand in ultimate luxury, Spa Suite fares start from $18,699* per person double occupancy for a 16-day cruise from Auckland to Sydney on January 6, 2015, with visits to Tauranga, Wellington, Picton, Kaikoura, Akaroa, Dunedin, Halfmoon Bay, scenic cruising in Charlotte Sound and Milford Sound, Geelong and Melbourne, plus a bonus shipboard credit of US$500 per person.

Seabourn’s first spa suites were launched on Seabourn Quest last year and will be added to Seabourn Sojourn during its next drydock.

*All fares are in Australian dollars, for new bookings only, per guest, double occupancy, and subject to availability.

Information supplied by : Seabourn Cruises.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

What’s in a Name?  P&O Cruises Asks Australians to Name its Ships

In an historic first, Australia’s favourite cruise line P&O Cruises has launched a shout-out for Aussies to choose the names for its two latest ships.

The ships will join the cruise line’s existing fleet in November next year – and P&O Cruises wants Australians to decide what they should be called.

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall said it was fitting for Australia to name the latest ships, given Australian holidaymakers’ passion for cruising had made P&O Cruises the nation’s most popular cruise line.  

Ms Marshall said it was the continuing popularity of the present three-ship fleet that prompted the cruise line’s decision to expand to five ships next year.

“We’ve been cruising from here for more than 80 years and we carry hundreds of thousands of Australians on holidays every year, so we think the time has come for Australians to put their stamp on our ships by choosing their names,” Ms Marshall said. 

“We’re very excited by the idea and we can’t wait to see what names are put forward.”  

While the last six P&O Cruises’ ships have all shared the word Pacific in their name – including the present fleet of Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl – Ms Marshall said the latest ships did not have to follow the same pattern.

“We’re looking for names that are modern and fresh and capture the spirit of a cruise holiday. 

“Ideally there’ll be some connection between the names of the two ships, but we’ll wait to see what Australia comes up with.”

Australians can submit their ideas via the cruise line’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/POCruises  with the successful names to be announced on July 9.

The person who provides the best names, along with a theme and a reason for their choice, will win a cruise for two on the inaugural cruise of one of the ships with a partner or friend, and will also be a special guest at the naming celebration.

The deployment of the two ships represents P&O Cruises’ biggest ever fleet expansion and will see the cruise line operating the largest fleet of cruise ships home-ported year round in Australia, with five ships sailing under its flag. The additional ships, which will transfer to P&O Cruises from Carnival Australia sister line Holland America Line, will deliver much needed capacity in the world's fastest growing cruise market. Work is already underway to develop itineraries and home-porting arrangements for the expanded fleet, with details to be announced in the coming months. Both ships are of a similar mid-range size to the three existing P&O Cruises ships, with a range of onboard features that will be tailored for Australian and New Zealand cruise customers.  

Please see next page for more background on ships’ names. 

For many decades Australia’s best-known cruise ships have been household names, with ships like Arcadia, Oriana, Canberra and Oronsay delivering great holidays and wonderful memories to tens of thousands of Australians.

In 1997, P&O Cruises introduced its first ship in Australia with a two-word name – Fair Princess – replacing the popular Fairstar. 

Fair Princess was followed in 2000 by the first of the cruise line’s “Pacific” fleet – Pacific Sky. Then came three more ships with a celestial theme - Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and Pacific Dawn.  The next two P&O Cruises’ ships - Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl - retained the Pacific reference but also reflected some of the attributes of their destinations in their names.

Across the world, as the cruise industry has boomed, more ships now feature multiple-word names, often including the cruise line’s name in their title.  

Among the most famous ships in the world are the Cunard Queens, including the current triumvirate of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Close to 300 ship names are now featured in the current Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships – from Admiralty Dream to Zuiderdam.  Fewer than 60 of those ships have single-word names. 

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Stylists and Racing Experts Join Carnival Spirit’s Maiden Cup Cruise

Carnival Cruise Lines’ inaugural Melbourne Cup cruise is tipped to be a winner with well-known racing identity Richard Callander and fashion stylists Campitelli Clarke joining the cruise to help punters get into the spirit of the Spring Carnival from the moment they set sail.

A regular on 2GB, Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports, Seven’s racing coverage and the front man on racing channel TVN, Callander is one of the most high profile figures in the Australian horse racing scene and will exclusively join the Carnival Spirit cruise to share a lifetime of racing experience as well as form tips and expert advice ahead of race day.

“I’ve been to the Cup a lot of times but never on a cruise so I’m really looking forward to it and will make sure guests have plenty of fun and laughs. With a little bit of luck we’ll all back the winner,” Callander said.

Meanwhile,stylists Fran Campitelli and Giselle Clarke will bring their Campitelli Clarke brand exclusively onboard Carnival Spirit with fashion workshops and personal one-on-one sessionsto help guests finesse their Cup outfitand learn how to build a stylish and functional wardrobe. They will also offer boutique Champagne shopping tours in the trendy suburb of Albert Park during the three-night stay in Melbourne.

Once the ship is off and racing from Sydney on Sunday November 2, guests will be able to get into the racing spirit with sweepstakes, virtual betting, Champagne brunches, high tea and gourmet long lunches.

Priced from $1649* per person twin share, the seven-night roundtrip cruise is a sure bet with entry into Flemington and transfers included, plusonboard meals, entertainment and activities.

In a first for cruise passengers, Carnival Cruise Lines is taking advantage of the three-night stay in Melbourne to offerguests the chance to also attend Crown Oaks Day from just $55 per person.

For an additional cost, guests can upgrade their ticket at both race days to reserved lawn seating, The Precinct, The Parade Lounge or Makybe Diva Marquee with some VIP packages includingfood and drink.

“The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s biggest and most iconic sporting events and we are thrilled to be joining in the action for the first time this year,” Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreekesaid.

“We’ve scoured the nation for the best Cup experts and fashion stylists to ensure our guests get the most out of the event. Whether it’s high fashion advice or trackside know-how to prepare for a successful punt, we’ve got it covered.”

During the three-night stay in Melbourne, a range of shoretours will be available including swimming with dolphins at Sorrento and wine tasting in the Mornington Peninsula.

Once the race is over and Carnival Spirit is on the home stretch, guests can rejuvenate in the onboard spa, relax in the child-free Serenity Retreat, unwind in one of the ship’s 16 bars and lounges or get one final dose of adrenaline on Green Thunder – the steepest and fastest waterslide at sea.

For more information go to www.carnival.com.au

Information supplied by : Carnival Cruise Line Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

CARNIVAL LEGEND IS COMING TO AUSTRALIA THIS SEPTEMBER

We're counting down the days until Carnival Legend arrives for the first time in Australia. We've just given her a multi-million dollar upgrade, so she's ready for her Pacific Island adventures. Carnival Legend will sail seasonally from September 2014 to April 2015 with a range of 8 to12 day itineraries to the Pacific Islands.

Don't miss out, you can book your holiday on board now.

Cheers, mate

Kick back and enjoy Carnival’s RedFrog pub with our own Aussie-brewed craft ale, Thirsty Frog Summer Ale. Chill out to live music, or take on a mate at foosball.

•  
•  

  Slide all the way to the islands

  The fastest and steepest water slide at sea is on Carnival Legend. Free fall at up to 65km/hr - now that's fast! Plus splash about in the water playground and take on the Twister waterslide.

• 

•  

  Sail away with sushi

  Tuck into the finest sushi, sashimi, sake and a whole lot more at Bonsai Sushi*, a unique dining experience set amongst bonsai trees and koi kites.

•  
•  

  Sweet tooth?

  You're on the right ship! Carnival Legend comes with its own candy store. Cherry On Top is the perfect place to indulge in lollies, chocolate, or pick up a gift for that special someone.

•  
•  

  Relax. Then relax some more

  Pick your deck chair, then zone out to the 270 degree ocean view at the adults-only Serenity Retreat. With a pool, bar, hammocks, day beds and more, it’s the perfect spot to relax.

•  
•  

  Laugh the night away

  Get ready for some non-stop laugh-out-loud action at the Punchliner Comedy Club, with stand-up from Aussie acts. Take a front row seat, we dare you! Then why not try out another bar at one of 16 bars and lounges.

•  
•  

  Fine and fun dining

  Whatever your tastebuds are after, you'll find something to suit your tastes. Indulge in the finest of food at Nouveau*, a la carte dining in the Main restaurant, a unique dining experience at Bonsai Sushi*or a casual meal at the International Food Plaza.

•  

• get active

  Work up a sweat at the two-deck fitness centre or enjoy the incredible 360 degree views on the outdoor jogging track. Then why not have some fun in the sports court or take on a game of mini golf. After a day of fun, cool off and splash about in one of three pools.

• 

The countdown has begun. Carnival Legends arrives in Australia this September.

*CHARGES APPLY

Information supplied by : Carnival Cruise Lines Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

WE'RE COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL CARNIVAL LEGEND ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA! For the very first time, Carnival Legend is coming to Australia this September! We've just given her a multi-million dollar upgrade, so she's ready for her Pacific Island adventures. She will sail seasonally from September 2014 to April 2015 with a range of 8 to 12 day itineraries to the Pacific Islands. There's 100 days to go! That's 100 days until guests can enjoy Carnival's RedFrog Pub with our own Aussie-brewed craft ale. That's 2,400 hours until guests can dine at Bonsai Sushi and indulge in the Cherry On Top lolly shop. That's 144,000 minutes until guests can take on Green Thunder or kick back in the child-free Serenity retreat. VISIT GOCCL - YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL THINGS CARNIVAL. To access the POLAR Online booking engine, please login at www.goccl.com.au or www.goccl.co.nz. For assistance using POLAR Online, please contact Sales Support on 1300 763 212 (AU) or 0800 968 576 (NZ) Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5.00pm Sydney time. This email was sent by Carnival Cruise Lines 15 Mount St, North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia.

 Information supplied by : Carnival Cruise Lines Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Australia Ranks Number One as Cruise Passengers Hit New High

The Australian cruise industry is now ranked number one in the world for market growth and penetration, with latest industry figures revealing a record 833,348 Australians took a cruise last year.

Launched in Sydney today, the 2013 Cruise Industry Source Market Report shows Australian cruise passenger numbers soared 20 per cent in 2013, more than double the growth rate of any other major cruise market.

With the equivalent of 3.6 per cent of the Australian population taking a cruise in 2013, Australia has become the first nation to ever achieve a stronger penetration rate than the world’s largest passenger source market, North America.  In 2013, the equivalent of 3.3 per cent of the North American population took a cruise.

Announcing the report findings, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Chairman Gavin Smith said Australia was “punching well above its weight” in the international cruise industry.

“Australia is still a relatively young cruise market, yet the number of Australians taking a cruise has grown by an enviable average 20 per cent a year for the last 11 years as a growing number of travellers discover the many joys of cruising,” Mr Smith said.

“That’s a remarkable achievement, particularly when you consider we’re now leading the world in market penetration. With more ships being deployed in Australia in 2014 and 2015, we’ve set course for continued growth over the next few years, so the benchmark of one million annual cruise passengers should be reached by 2016, if not before.”

Mr Smith said the continuing growth of the local cruise industry meant it was playing an increasingly important economic role in many Australian cities and towns, delivering valuable tourist dollars.

The latest CLIA Australasia figures build on the 2012 result which saw Australian passenger numbers rise 11 per cent to 694,062. 

Key findings of the 2013 CLIA Australasia Cruise Industry Source Market Report for Australia include:

* Australia’s passenger growth rate of 20 per cent was more than double other key markets including Germany and France, which grew 9 per cent, the USA (3 per cent) and the UK/Ireland (1 per cent).

* The Australian market penetration rate of 3.6 per cent led the world ahead of North America (3.3 per cent), UK/Ireland (2.5 per cent), Germany (2.1 per cent) and Italy (1.4 per cent).

* The South Pacific continues to dominate as a cruise destination, with almost 80,000 more Australians cruising the region in 2013, taking the total number to more than 330,000 (40 per cent of the market)

* River cruising numbers leapt 25 per cent as almost 50,000 Australians took to inland waterways

* Asian cruising is on the rise again with passenger numbers up 28 per cent  to a record 44,382 as cruise ship capacity starts to expand

* The number of Australians cruising to New Zealand has almost reached 100,000 

* Europe continues to dominate long-haul destinations with numbers surging 34 per cent to more than 77,000 Australian cruisers.  While Mediterranean cruising remains the strongest draw card, Northern Europe numbers rose more than 50 per cent with the region attracting close to 20,000 passengers

* The number of passengers taking cruises of 8-14 days saw a massive spike, rising almost 35 per cent from 353,342 in 2012 to 475,154 in 2013 

* Australians spent an estimated 8.7 million days at sea in 2013, up 22 per cent on 2012, with holidaymakers enjoying 10.25 days on average on an ocean cruise and 14.4 days on river cruises

* NSW remains the leading source of cruise passengers accounting for 41.1 per cent of the market

* Cruise passenger ages continue to be spread broadly across all age brackets, reflecting the diversity of product and itineraries available to Australian holidaymakers.

For more information visit www.cruising.org.au

Information supplied by : CLIA Australasia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising ! 

P&O Cruises Gets Muddy in Mooloolaba as Tough Mudders Join

First Sunshine Coast Sea Break

P&O Cruises has thrown down the challenge to travellers wanting an action-packed break, with a special cruise package combiningits inaugural visit to the Sunshine Coast in August with entry to the local Tough Mudder contest.

Tough Mudder is one of the world’s most popular adventure challenges, featuring a 20-kilometre obstacle course designed to test the physical and mental agility of participants. The Sunshine Coast event on August 16-17, 2014will take place on one of the biggest Tough Mudder courses on the planet, stretching across more than 4000 hectares.

Sailing from Sydney on Thursday August 14, guests will have plenty of time to relax and prepare for the event during the four-night P&OSeaBreakon Pacific Pearl. Along with greatentertainment, dining and onboard activities, guests will be able to do some training with P&O Cruises’ Bootcamp at Sea and get expert workout tips from an onboardTough Mudder team leader before the ship makes its maiden visit to Mooloolaba on August 16.

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall said the new package offered a great way to compete in the Tough Mudder event.

“Entrants can keep training on the way to the Sunshine Coast, then after the event can relax and unwind, and soothe their tired muscles with a treatment, sauna or steam in the ship’s Aqua HealthSpaFitness centre as they sail back to Sydney.”

Priced from $619* per person quad share,the special package includes the four-night round trip cruise, main meals, entertainment and activities as well as entry to Tough Mudder, transfers to and from the course and for the finishers, branded merchandise, including a t-shirt and headband.

For more information see a travel agent, call 13 24 94 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

*subject to availability, conditions apply. All prices are per person quad share in $AU.

About P&O Cruises:

P&O Cruises is Australia’s largest and most popular cruise line, servicing the local region for more than 80 years. The company continues to lead the way in cruising, and in May 2014 announced it will welcome two more ships to its fleet in November 2015 to make it the largest fleet of cruise ships homeported year round in Australasia. The cruise line’s current three-ship fleet sails from more Australian ports than any other operator with departures from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle, Adelaide and Auckland, to more than 60 ports across Australia, South East Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. P&O Cruises is a member of Carnival Corporation plc, the world’s largest cruise company.

About Tough Mudder:

Tough Mudder LLC was founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. Considered “Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet,” each Tough Mudder challenge tests participants’ strength, stamina, mental grit and teamwork. In 2013, Tough Mudder hosted 53 events in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. In 2014, Tough Mudder will host more than 60 events in countries worldwide. For the schedule of event dates and locations, visit www.toughmudder.com.au

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Record Carnival Cruise Lines Program Gives Australians More Ways to Have Fun

Carnival Cruise Lines has launched its largest program of Australian cruises yet, with highlights including more cruises to the South Pacific and Tasmania and a variety of weekend getaways.

On sale June 5, the new program features Carnival Legend’s second summer season down under, with the 2680-guest ship joining Carnival Spirit in Sydney to offer a record 143 fun-filled cruise holidays in 2015 and 2016 – an increase of more than 40 per cent over the previous program. 

Cruise fares start from $649* per person twin share for a three-night escape, giving Australians the perfect chance to sample all the fun and relaxation of a Carnival holiday at sea.

Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke said the cruise line had decided to return to Tasmania following the success of its inaugural cruise to the island from Sydney earlier this year. 

Other highlights of the 2015-16 program include:

* Special Melbourne Cup cruises in 2015 and 2016, with Carnival Spirit offering action-packed itineraries including entry to the nation’s most famous race event. Prices start from $1907* per person twin share for the eight-night cruise departing Sydney on October 30, 2015.

* Two 18-night cruises between Sydney and Honolulu including visits to beautiful Tahiti and Fiji. Offering Australian dollars onboard and featuring cuisine and entertainment geared for Australians, the Carnival Legend cruises will sail from Sydney on April 20, 2015 and from Honolulu on September 26, 2015 with fares from $1899* per person twin share for the Sydney sailing.

* Two 15-night cruises to and from Singapore on Carnival Spirit taking in Lombok and Bali in Indonesia as well as calls to Darwin, Brisbane and far north Queensland. The August 1, 2015 departure from Sydney and return sailing from Singapore on August 30, 2015 are both priced from $1499* per person twin share.

* Two 13-night cruises between Brisbane and Singapore will give Queenslanders their first chance to sail on Carnival from their doorstep. Departing August 3, 2015 and August 30, 2015 the cruises are priced from $1499* per person twin share.

The two ships will also continue to offer the cruise line’s trademark cruises to the sun-filled Pacific, which have proved particularly popular with holidaymakers aged 30-50 years looking for a relaxing, fun holiday. Fares for an eight-night cruise to Noumea, Isle of Pines, and Mare start from $1099* per person twin share.

Ms Vandekreeke said the 2015-16 program built on the success of Carnival Spirit, which has carried more than 160,000 Australians since her debut in Australia in late 2012.  The largest and newest ship to be based in Australia year round, 

Carnival Spirit features 12 decks of fun from Green Thunder - the steepest and fastest waterslide at sea - through to its 16 bars and lounges. 

“We’re looking forward to introducing Australians to Carnival Legend this September and we’re thrilled that she’ll be with us for a second summer season in 2015-16, giving us the opportunity to introduce some exciting new cruise itineraries,” Ms Vandekreeke said.

…2/

A sister ship to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend has just undergone a revamp and now boasts a Green Thunder slide as well as a host of new features including the Bonsai Sushi restaurant, the Red Frog pub and a Cherry on Top lolly shop.  Carnival Legend will also offer the cruise line’s new Seuss at Sea program including exciting family, dining and entertainment experiences that feature the amazing world and words of Dr Seuss. 

In addition to the new Green Thunder, the ship’s “Aussification” for its local debut includes a focus on food and coffee to meet Australian tastes, as well as the introduction of Australian powerpoints and Australian pricing onboard.

For more information call 13 31 94, see a travel agent or visit www.carnival.com.au

*Fares are per person twin share. Subject to availability, conditions apply

About Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line in the world with over four and a half million guests travelling every year. Carnival Spirit is the largest and newest cruise ship to call Australia home and she will be joined by her sister ship, Carnival Legend in September 2014. With 45 activities from zen to adrenalin to enjoy each day, Carnival Spirit offers fun-loving families and couples memorable and great value holidays. For further information or to book your next cruise visit www.carnival.com.au

Information supplied by : Carnival Cruise Line, Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Up to US$1000 Onboard Credit for Celebrity Century Guests 

Celebrity Cruises rewards guests, including a bonus of up to US$1000 onboard credit for Celebrity Century sailings 

23rd May, 2014: Until 31st May, guests who book a cruise onboard Celebrity Century for the local 2014/15 summer cruise season will be entitled to an onboard credit of up to US$1,000!^  

Celebrity Century arrives in Sydney in October 2014 to commence her Australian 2014/15 local summer cruise season. This intimate ship which epitomizes modern luxury will home port in Sydney and offer a range of itineraries with a focus on sailings to the South Pacific. 

Guests who book to sail on Celebrity Century cruises departing from Sydney until January 2015 are in for a treat as she is one of Australia’s highest rated cruise ships (Berlitz Guide 2014). Plus, they will also be entitled to double the rewards: 

* Interior staterooms  US$200 OBC 

* Oceanview staterooms  US$400 OBC

* Verandah staterooms  US$600 OBC

* Suites    US$1000 OBC

From $1,099 per person twin share, guests can enjoy sailing onboard Celebrity Century for eight-nights, departing Sydney 22nd October 2014 including up to US$1000 onboard credit.** This itinerary is a food lover's delight with port calls at some of Australia's finest culinary destinations including Melbourne, Adelaide and Port Lincoln. There are also four full days at sea during which guests can savour the onboard food and beverage experiences including the impressive two storey dining room, fine French cuisine at Murano and the ship's signature ice topped Martini Bar. 

This generous onboard credit offer comes as part of the popular “Reward Yourself” promotion which also runs until the end of May. The “Reward Yourself” promotion applies to bookings for sailings between July 2014 and March 2015 of seven nights or longer on cruises in: Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Alaska, Caribbean, Bermuda and Asia. The promotion offers onboard credits of up to US$500, dependant on stateroom type:  

* Interior staterooms  US$100 OBC 

* Oceanview staterooms  US$200 OBC

* Verandah staterooms  US$300 OBC

* Suites    US$500 OBC

Plus, Guests who book Choice Air flights can double their onboard credit bonus amount and Captain’s Club loyalty members are also eligible for 50% deposits! 

For more information about Celebrity Cruises or to book a cruise, visit celebritycruises.com.au, call 1800 754 500 or contact your travel agent. 

^ Offer is valid on new bookings made before 31 May 2014 only. Subject to availability and conditions apply. Offer applies only to sailings of seven nights or longer in the countries specified. For full terms and conditions, visit: www.celebritycruises.com.au. 

**Price is a from price only an is applicable to the lowest available interior stateroom. Subject to availability and conditions apply. Reward Yourself promotion runs until 31st May only. For full terms and conditions, visit: www.celebritycruises.com.au.

About Celebrity Cruises: 

Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 11 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). 

For more information about Celebrity Cruises or to book a cruise, visit: celebritycruises.com.au, call 1800 754 500 or contact your travel agent.  

Celebrity Cruises AU & NZ Facebook:  facebook.com/celebritycruisesausnz Celebrity Cruises AU & NZ YouTube:   youtube.com/user/celebritycruisesaunz

Information supplied by : Celebrity Cruises.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

MASSIVE CRUISE SHIP ‘SHOPPING LIST’ HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF CRUISING

A massive ‘shopping list’ of food and beverage from local suppliers confirms the long value chain of cruising as an economic force, Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry told a Friends of Tourism event last night. 

Ms Sherry said that in a typical year cruise ships ordered huge quantities of meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables providing a significant part of the $3 billion in total economic activity attributed to cruising in 2012-2013.

Speaking at the event in Brisbane, Ms Sherry said that Carnival Australia, which accounts for most of the cruise ships that sail to or from Australia and around 80 per cent of the Australian cruise industry, had a big network of local suppliers.

“Wherever the ships go, economic opportunity follows. Just about everyone benefits from cruising including hotel operators, restaurants and cafes, visitor attractions, transport operators and taxi drivers,” Ms Sherry said.

“But primary producers are among the major beneficiaries as cruise ships take on board extensive supplies of food and beverage when the ships are replenished. When cruising is viewed from a value added perspective you see rolled gold economic opportunity.”

As Australia’s ‘home brand’ cruise line, P&O Cruises sourced almost 100 per cent of its food and beverage from local suppliers. In a typical year, Australian-sourced P&O purchases included:

* 465,000kg of beef

* 589,000kg of poultry

* 217,000kg of pork

* 148,000kg of bacon

* 3.3 million eggs

* 260,000 bottles of wine (most from Australian wineries)

* 1.1 million kg of fruit

* 341,000kg of vegetables

* 60,000 litres of milk

* 30,000 litres of cream

* 200,000 individual yoghurts

Ms Sherry said that between 1999 and 2013, Princess Cruises purchased US$50 million of Australian beef products to supply its locally based ships as well as its worldwide fleet. For more than 20 years, Princess Cruises has exclusively served Australian lamb on all of its ships.

Other Carnival Australia brands, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, also extensively sourced local supplies for their ships operating in Australian waters.

“It is clear from Carnival Australia’s experience that cruise line purchases are of great benefit to Australian suppliers and this is likely to grow further as the cruise industry continues to expand,” Ms Sherry said. 

Information supplied by : Carnival Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas on sale now

Guests can now book their stateroom onboard Legend of the Seas, sailing from Brisbane in 2015 

21st May 2014: Royal Caribbean International recently announced that Legend of the Seas will sail from Brisbane for the 2015/16 summer cruise season and today these cruises go on sale. This is a unique opportunity for Australian and international guests because it’s the first time Royal Caribbean has offered cruises departing from Brisbane. 

On 20th November 2015 Legend of the Seas departs Hong Kong for her repositioning cruises via exotic tropical destinations such as Manila in the Philippines, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Darwin, Cairns and the Whitsundays in Australia before arriving in Brisbane in December 2015 for a five month season.  Cruising from Brisbane, Legend of the Seas will embark on 15 itineraries in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific ranging from two- to 18-nights before repositioning back to Asia in April 2016. 

Highlights of the Legend of the Seas program include: 

* An 18-night cruise from Hong Kong to Brisbane on 20 November 2015 which calls at Manila, Puerto Princesa, Kota Kinabalu, Bali, Darwin, Cairns and Whitsundays. A similar cruise operates in reverse departing Brisbane on 20 April 2016.

* Nine South Pacific cruises ranging from eight- to 10-nights calling at ports in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Loyalty Islands. And a further two 11-night cruises incorporate the South Pacific islands and Fiji.

* One 14-night cruise to New Zealand which calls at Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin and Dusky/Doubtful/Milford Sounds.

* Visits to the Whitsundays and Cairns on two seven-night Queensland sailings.

* One two-night sampler cruise, giving cruisers a taste of Legend of the Seas.

Guests can sail onboard Legend of the Seas from just $1,299 per person on an eight-night South Pacific itinerary departing Brisbane on 18th February 2016. Highlights of this cruise include the idyllic tropical ports of Noumea, Mystery Island and Vila.* 

At 70,000 tons Legend of the Seas is one of the largest superliners able to navigate the Brisbane River and dock at Brisbane Cruise Terminal at Portside Wharf. The 2,000-guest Legend of Seas has been selected to homeport in Brisbane to meet the growing demand from Australian and international guests wishing to experience world class cruising from Queensland to the South Pacific. 

Following an extensive $50 million revitalisation in 2013, the ship boasts new “Wow” facilities that guests will not find onboard any other cruise ship sailing from Brisbane: a central Atrium with an acrobatic aerial show, a rock climbing wall, a mini golf course, an indoor swimming pool, a babies nursery and multiple speciality dining venues including a Sushi restaurant and a 12-seat private dining room. She also features a stunning two-deck grand dining room, an 800-seat theatre, the Vitality Spa & Fitness centre, a beauty salon a shopping arcade. 

About Legend of the Seas

* Maiden voyage May 1995

* Revitalised in February 2013

* 2,074 guests 

* 726 crew

* 915 staterooms

* 69,130 tons

* 267 meters long (867 feet)

* 32 feet wide (105 feet)

* 11 decks

* 6 pools and whirlpools

* 8 bars, clubs and lounges

* Speciality dining: Izumi, Chops Grille and Chef’s Table

* Central Atrium featuring aerial show and R Bar

* Royal Babies and Tots Nursery

* World-class theatre with 800 capacity 

* Two pools and four whirlpools

* Rock-climbing wall and jogging track

* Nine-hole mini golf course

* Outdoor movie screen

Royal Caribbean’s biggest ever Australian fleet will comprise of four ships in summer 2015/16: Legend of the Seas in Brisbane and Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas in Sydney.  All four ships boast the benefits of the “Royal Advantage” fleet revitalisation program, which involves bow-to-stern renovations and the addition of many new amenities at a total cost of almost $250 million. Together they will offer a range of over 70 itineraries featuring popular Australian, South Pacific and New Zealand ports. 

For more information about Royal Caribbean International, or to make a booking, guests and travel agents can visit royalcaribbean.com.au or call 1800 754 500.   

*Price quoted in a from price only. Price is per person and applies to the lowest available interior stateroom. Conditions apply and prices are subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit: royalcaribbean.com.au

Information supplied by : Royal Caribbean International.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

P&O Cruises Helps PNG Princess Find Her ‘Voice’

A bright future in show business can await The Voice Australia contestants even if the celebrity judges don’t necessarily turn at the blind auditions.

Just ask Melanesian princess, Samantha Clark, who didn’t turn any chairs during her audition on the hit show but has been spurred on to cut her first album by guests on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn.

The 22-year-old was invited to sail as a guest entertainer on a Pacific Dawn cruise from Brisbane to Papua New Guinea in April, which included calls to exotic destinations in the beautiful Milne Bay district including Samantha’s home, Kiriwina Island. She will sail again on the 10-night September itinerary this year.

“It was one of the most amazing times I have ever had with so many lovely people onboard the ship,” Samantha said. 

“I had a great response from the passengers and many asked me if I had a CD. Their encouragement gave me the motivation to keep going and to put an album together so I have been writing some songs and working on some ‘covers’ to record.”

Currently based in Cairns, Samantha is a princess in the Trobriand Islands’ matrilineal society where birthright and tribal influence flows from the mother’s side.

“In our clan everything is taken from our mother’s side,” Samantha said. “My grandfather is a very well-known chief on Kiriwina Island and that means my mother is a traditional royal princess -- but it’s nothing like the British Royal Family.”

A P&O Cruises’ team that visited Kiriwina ahead of the cruise line’s return to Papua New Guinea last year played a part in ‘discovering’ Samantha and her singing talent. She did such a great job entertaining the local community that when the Today Show arrived on Kiriwina for a series of live weather crosses, P&O Cruises Destination Director Michael Mihajlov suggested they showcase Samantha to their national audience.

“Samantha grew up on Kiriwina speaking the local language and English and learning traditional songs and dances,” Michael said.  

“When we arrived she was jamming informally with just her guitar and we were all mesmerised by her voice as she sang both in English and her traditional language. I also saw her play at the Kenu and Kundu festival in Alotau where she was the local star. 

“Fast forward to last September when we shot the Today Show weather from PNG and I asked for Samantha to participate. She did a traditional dance and then ended the show with a solo performance. Everyone was impressed, no one more so than (weather presenter) Steve Jacobs. I forwarded Samantha’s details to our entertainment team and then she joined Pacific Dawn as a guest entertainer and was given a star’s reception. That's the story so far and I am sure she will be a big star.”

And that is certainly the view of Pacific Dawn’s guests who were more than happy to ‘turn their chairs’ for the Trobriand Islands singer.

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

BREAKING NEWS – MORE SHIPS TO BE ADDED TO P&O CRUISES FLEET

In its biggest ever single fleet expansion, P&O Cruises will welcome two more ships next year to make it the largest fleet of cruise ships home-ported year round in Australia. Today’s announcement is an emphatic statement about Carnival Australia’s confidence and leadership in the Australian cruise market and reaffirmation of P&O Cruises’ status as Australia's iconic 'home brand' cruise line.

The additional ships, which will transfer to P&O Cruises from Holland America Line, will deliver much needed capacity in the world's fastest growing cruise market. "This is a very exciting development for the Carnival Group, P&O Cruises and for our shipside and shoreside teams who have worked so passionately and effectively to build the business and the cruise category," said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises.

"The P&O brand set the foundation for the resurgence of cruising in this region making it the most successful sector of Australian tourism. Adding two more ships to the fleet is a signal that the next generation of P&O Cruises is about to commence. It will also accelerate progress in reaching the industry goal of a million passengers a year by 2016 – four years earlier than forecast.

“With the P&O expansion, Carnival Group will have 12 ships home-ported in Australia with fleets from P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises calling Australia home.” The two ships will join P&O Cruises in November 2015. Work is already underway to develop itineraries and home-porting arrangements for the expanded fleet. Both ships are of a similar mid-range size to the three existing P&O Cruises ships, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl with a range of onboard features that will be tailored for Australian and New Zealand cruise customers. "The ships are a perfect size for the Australian market. They are intimate, offering space, comfort and style, giving passengers more destinations to choose from, more onboard experiences to indulge in and more reasons to cruise," said Senior Vice President P&O Cruises Tammy Marshall.

"We face a very busy time in preparing for the arrival of the two ships and their integration into the existing P&O Cruises fleet and look forward to announcing the exciting new itineraries, onboard features and other great additions over the coming months.”

The arrival of Australia’s first superliner Pacific Dawn in 2007 set the scene for P&O Cruises’ leadership in building the cruise category in Australia to record levels.

Pacific Dawn was quickly followed by two more P&O Cruises’ superliners, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl, in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

“This further fleet expansion is entirely appropriate for P&O Cruises, the shipping line that pioneered cruising from Australia more than 80 years ago and has set the pace for the industry ever since,” Ms Marshall said. Having a five-ship fleet will give P&O Cruises greater flexibility in its increased offering of short break cruises, traditional cruises to the South Pacific and cruises to new destinations such as Papua New Guinea and Asia. More than 800,000 Australians cruised last year with a majority travelling with P&O Cruises. Over a five year period between 2007 and 2012, Australian cruise passenger numbers increased 130 per cent.

Carnival Australia accounts for most of the cruise ships that cruise to or from Australia and New Zealand. Carnival Australia’s ‘House of Brands’ comprises P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises World Cruising, Holland America Line and Seabourn.

For more information visit www.pocruises.com.au.

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Carnival Corporation to Expand Market Leadership in Australia, Adding Two Ships to Meet Demand in One of World’s Fastest Growing Cruise Markets

MIAMI, May 19, 2014 -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, today announced plans to significantly expand its market leadership in Australia, one of the fastest growing markets in the cruise industry.

With Australian cruise passenger numbers having increased 130 percent in the past five years and projections of 800,000 cruise passengers in 2013 growing to one million by 2016, P&O Cruises (Australia), one of Carnival Corporation’s 10 brands, will add two ships to its fleet in 2015. With a total of five ships, P&O Cruises will establish Australia’s largest year-round fleet and be well-positioned to continue meeting Australians’ surging demand for cruise vacations.

The expansion leverages Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading scale and underscores its strategy of increased collaboration among its 10 brands, as the two ships will be transferred from the company’s Holland America Line brand to become part of the P&O Cruises fleet. In the meantime, Holland America Line is building its latest and largest ship, to be delivered in February 2016. The new Pinnacle Class ship will be 99,500 tons and carry 2,660 passengers. This new ship will replace the capacity of the two vessels moving to P&O Cruises in Australia. “Australians know a good thing when they discover it, and that speaks to why taking a cruise has become the most popular vacation experience in the Australian tourism industry,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “By any measure, Australia is one of the top performing cruise markets in the world, with an eye-popping average annual passenger growth rate of 20 percent over the past decade.”

Added Donald: “We are already firmly entrenched as the market leader, and with today’s move we are poised to continue our leadership. At the same time, our ability to work among our brands to make strategic deployment decisions is a great example of our focus on leveraging our scale and increased collaboration. This is an exciting development on many levels.” Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise operator in Australia and the only cruise company to have ships based full-time in Australian waters. Over the past 10 years Carnival Corporation has grown rapidly with its local fleet increasing from two full-time ships, both with P&O Cruises, to six full-time ships from three of the company’s brands – three P&O Cruises ships, two Princess Cruises ships and one Carnival Cruise Lines ship. In 2015, with P&O Cruises adding its two ships and the return of Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess full-time, that number will increase to nine. The company’s ships sail from five Australian cities as well as Auckland in New Zealand. During the past summer cruise season in Australia, the company had a record 20 ships from across seven of its brands sailing in Australian waters.

"The announcement is an emphatic statement of confidence in Australia, one of the most vibrant cruise markets in the world,” said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia. “Today’s news also underscores how P&O Cruises – which pioneered cruising in the country more than 80 years ago - has been the driving force in making cruising one of the most popular vacation experiences in Australia. We have a great understanding of what Australians are looking for in a vacation, and with cruising more popular than ever among Australians, this is the perfect time to meet demand with increased capacity.”

Today’s announcement follows recent news that Carnival Corporation in 2015 will be the first global cruise company with four ships based in China, also considered one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise markets. Together, the company’s moves highlight its strategy to strengthen its leadership position through the Asia-Pacific region, which includes Australia, and positions the company well to realize the potential market growth. The two ships being added to P&O Cruises, currently sailing as ms Ryndam and ms Statendam in the Holland America Line fleet, are mid-range in size, similar to the three existing P&O ships in Australia -- the Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl. The ships will be completely refurbished to offer a new level of comfort and style and will include onboard features tailored for Australian and New Zealand passengers. Full details will be announced in coming months. Having a five-ship fleet will give P&O Cruises greater flexibility in its increased offering of short-break cruises, traditional cruises to the South Pacific and cruises to new destinations such as Papua New Guinea and Asia. The ships will join the P&O Cruises fleet in November 2015 and itineraries are being developed for the expanded fleet.

Information supplied by : Carnival Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

BREAKING NEWS – MORE SHIPS TO BE ADDED TO P&O CRUISES FLEET

In its biggest ever single fleet expansion, P&O Cruises will welcome two more ships next year to make it the largest fleet of cruise ships home-ported year round in Australia. Today’s announcement is an emphatic statement about Carnival Australia’s confidence and leadership in the Australian cruise market and reaffirmation of P&O Cruises’ status as Australia's iconic 'home brand' cruise line.

The additional ships, which will transfer to P&O Cruises from Holland America Line, will deliver much needed capacity in the world's fastest growing cruise market. "This is a very exciting development for the Carnival Group, P&O Cruises and for our shipside and shoreside teams who have worked so passionately and effectively to build the business and the cruise category," said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises.

"The P&O brand set the foundation for the resurgence of cruising in this region making it the most successful sector of Australian tourism. Adding two more ships to the fleet is a signal that the next generation of P&O Cruises is about to commence. It will also accelerate progress in reaching the industry goal of a million passengers a year by 2016 – four years earlier than forecast.

“With the P&O expansion, Carnival Group will have 12 ships home-ported in Australia with fleets from P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises calling Australia home.” The two ships will join P&O Cruises in November 2015. Work is already underway to develop itineraries and home-porting arrangements for the expanded fleet. Both ships are of a similar mid-range size to the three existing P&O Cruises ships, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl with a range of onboard features that will be tailored for Australian and New Zealand cruise customers. "The ships are a perfect size for the Australian market. They are intimate, offering space, comfort and style, giving passengers more destinations to choose from, more onboard experiences to indulge in and more reasons to cruise," said Senior Vice President P&O Cruises Tammy Marshall.

"We face a very busy time in preparing for the arrival of the two ships and their integration into the existing P&O Cruises fleet and look forward to announcing the exciting new itineraries, onboard features and other great additions over the coming months.”

The arrival of Australia’s first superliner Pacific Dawn in 2007 set the scene for P&O Cruises’ leadership in building the cruise category in Australia to record levels.

Pacific Dawn was quickly followed by two more P&O Cruises’ superliners, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl, in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

“This further fleet expansion is entirely appropriate for P&O Cruises, the shipping line that pioneered cruising from Australia more than 80 years ago and has set the pace for the industry ever since,” Ms Marshall said. Having a five-ship fleet will give P&O Cruises greater flexibility in its increased offering of short break cruises, traditional cruises to the South Pacific and cruises to new destinations such as Papua New Guinea and Asia. More than 800,000 Australians cruised last year with a majority travelling with P&O Cruises. Over a five year period between 2007 and 2012, Australian cruise passenger numbers increased 130 per cent.

Carnival Australia accounts for most of the cruise ships that cruise to or from Australia and New Zealand. Carnival Australia’s ‘House of Brands’ comprises P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises World Cruising, Holland America Line and Seabourn.

For more information visit www.pocruises.com.au.

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES ANNOUNCES FIRST AUSTRALIAN SEASON IN 2016

Azamara Quest to offer destination immersive sailings during two month Australian deployment

16th May 2014 - Boutique cruise line Azamara Club Cruises has announced that it will deploy Azamara Quest to Australian waters for the first time in early 2016.

Award winning Azamara Club Cruises, which is owned by the same company as the world’s largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, is a luxury cruising brand that offers itineraries featuring longer and more overnight stays in port so that guests can truly experience each destination to its fullest. 

For her inaugural Australian season Azamara Quest, one of the cruise line’s two jewel-box ships, will  offer five voyages, ranging from 10- to 17-nights, including: 

* A 14-night Bali & Barrier Reef voyage, sailing from Bali on 22 December 2015 to Cairns;

* A 10-night Great Barrier Reef to Sydney sailing departing Cairns on 5 January 2016;

* A 16-night Australia & New Zealand explorers itinerary departing from Sydney on 15 January 2016 and ending  in Auckland; 

* A 13-night  Australia & New Zealand sailing from Auckland to Sydney  departing 31 January  2016; 

* A 17-night Great Barrier Reef & Bali sailing departing Sydney 13 February 2016.

Azamara Quest will make 25 port visits in Australia and New Zealand over her two months based here including Port Douglas, Townsville, a number of islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne and Hobart as well as the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Dunedin, and Milford Sound in New Zealand to name a few.

Gavin Smith, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific for RCL Cruises Ltd, says the arrival of Azamara Club Cruises in Australia and New Zealand is a response to a ‘buoyant’ cruise tourism market and huge interest from Australian guests.

“Australia is the largest growth market for Azamara Club Cruises globally. So it has long been our aim to bring an Azamara ship to Australia and we are delighted to welcome Azamara Quest.” 

Last year the cruise line introduced AzAmazing Evenings, a complimentary night tour on each voyage that provides guests with an exclusive and bespoke slice of a destination’s authentic culture and character.  Details of the 2016 AzAmazing Evening events are yet to be announced however previous events have included samba shows in Rio de Janeiro, exclusive Three Tenors performances in Italy and dining experiences like the French aristocracy at the Chateau Giscours in Bordeaux, France. 

The boutique Azamara Quest is a mid-sized ship which offers its 694 guests exceptional service and fine cuisine  from around the world. The line also offers more included onboard amenities such as English trained butlers, specialty coffees and teas, boutique wines, international beers and select standard spirits. 

Fares for Azamara’s inaugural Australian season start from AU$6,069* per person for a 16-night Australia & New Zealand explorers sailing departing Sydney 16 January 2016. For Australians wishing to get an earlier taste of Azamara’s specialty cruising experience, the luxury line is offering a double stateroom upgrade special on selected global sailings to guests who book a cruise for 2014-15 before May 31, 2014.

Now open for sale, the 2016 programme is an expansive, curated collection of culture-rich metropolises, charming colonial towns, stunning beaches and unsurpassed natural preserves in some of the world’s most intriguing destinations including South America, the West Indies, Europe, the Far East and Australia. The full programme includes 52 voyages, ranging from five- to 18-nights. Catering to up-market travellers, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest will visit a total of 204 ports in 70 countries, calling at destinations that have been made famous by myths and legends, history and beauty. 

Australian travellers can combine consecutive itineraries for an Azamara Extended Voyage that spans multiple regions and an expansive array of destinations. For example, travellers can embark on the 12 December 2015 voyage from Singapore to Auckland on a 50 night one-of-a-kind odyssey visiting a host of Indonesian, Australian and New Zealand ports and cities as well as multiple small ports and towns that are not accessible to larger ships. Or travellers can embark on the 31 January 2016 sailing in Auckland, on a 107 night itinerary to Athens, via New Zealand, Australia, the Far East to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean.

To make a booking or for further information visit www.azamaraclubcruises.com, phone 1800 754 500 or contact your local travel agent. Travel professionals can call 1300 754 500 or visit: cruisingpower.com.

-ends-

*Price quoted is a from price only and applies to the lowest available interior stateroom. Conditions apply and prices are subject to change. For full terms and conditions, call 1800 754 500.   

Azamara Club Cruises is a brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), a global cruise vacation company that also owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, and CDF Croisières de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 per cent joint venture.  Together, the six brands operate a combined total of 41 ships with four under construction.  They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 460 destinations on all seven continents.  

RCL Cruises Ltd Australia commenced operation in December 2008 as the Australian arm of global cruise holiday company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The company offers three cruise brands in Australia & New Zealand: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. In the 2014/2015 cruise season, Royal Caribbean International will be the largest cruise operator in Sydney, with three ships sailing in the region: Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. This is in addition to two Celebrity Cruises ships, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Century. In the 2015/2016 local cruise season Royal Caribbean International will increase the local fleet to four ships: Legend of the Seas home porting in Brisbane; along with Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas home porting in Sydney.

Information supplied by : Azamara Club Cruises.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Cunard’s Three Queens Celebrate Queen Mary 2’s 10th Anniversary.

Cunard Line celebrated the 10th anniversary of its grand flagship Queen Mary 2 with the arrival of the whole three-ship fleet in Southampton, England on May 9. This was a rare occasion to see all three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – together, with the homeport of Southampton the only place in the world to have hosted the three Queens three times.

To view video highlights of Queen Mary 2’s arrival in Southampton, visit: http://bit.ly/1l5IJiY.  For video highlights of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit aboard, go to: http://bit.ly/DukeOfEdinburgh.

The ships arrived at first light and began a day of spectacular celebration with an early morning birthday salute to Queen Mary 2 – “Happy Birthday” in ships' whistles (foghorns in common parlance) sounding out across Southampton Water. 

This was followed by a special reception and lunch aboard Queen Mary 2 for invited guests in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who last visited the ship when accompanying Her Majesty The Queen to name her in 2004.  Prior to the reception and luncheon, His Royal Highness visited several behind-the-scenes areas to meet with crew who perform different roles onboard.  After meeting officers, he was given a tour of the largest Bridge at sea and was invited to sign the Visitor’s Book.

At the special reception, His Royal Highness unveiled a portrait of Queen Mary 2 by renowned maritime artist Robert Lloyd that was commissioned by Cunard Line to celebrate a decade of service by the flagship.

“We are honoured that His Royal Highness visited our flagship Queen Mary 2 on such a special day in the history of the world's only ocean liner,” Cunard Line CEO David Dingle said. 

“For him to have spent time with many of our 1200 staff was very exciting and highly appropriate, for it is they who have made Queen Mary 2 the great success she is today,” Mr Dingle said.  

As we reflect on her first decade of excellence, we look forward to the next ten years and are delighted to have had His Royal Highness taking part in these celebrations with us, as he was also present at her entry into service in 2004.”

Since entering service, Queen Mary 2 has sailed 1.5 million nautical miles on more than 400 voyages including 213 transatlantic crossings. She has called at 182 ports in 60 countries and carried more than 1.3 million guests.

Information supplied by : Cunard Line.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !

CLIA Announces Cruise Week Dates as Campaign Goes Global 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced its 2014 Cruise Week will be held from September 1-8, with CLIA offices from around the globe collaborating on the major consumer event for the first time.

Announcing the dates, CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said the 2014 Cruise Week would feature a new logo reflecting the global partnership and would have a worldwide theme focusing on “new to cruise” passengers.

Mr Jardine said Australia and New Zealand will be the first to conduct Cruise Week, with CLIA offices in the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA to follow.

“We’re very excited by the new approach which reflects the close level of liaison and collaboration happening between CLIA regional offices since we joined together to form CLIA globally,” Mr Jardine said.

“There are a lot of creative ideas and marketing concepts we can share between us which we think will really benefit agents and help build on the success of this promotion.”

Mr Jardine said CLIA member agents would soon have access to a special agent toolkit full of ideas on how to make the most of the week. The new logo will also be launched shortly.

.

“As always we’ll have a big marketing and PR push around the week and our cruise line members will have some fabulous deals, so we urge agents to get in early to organise events and activities that will really help drive sales.

“Agents who want to maximise results need to start planning now to ensure that their local activity fits in with the national marketing push.”

For more information visit www.cruising.org.au in Australia and www.cruising.org.nz in New Zealand. 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry. CLIA is composed of more than 55 of the world's major cruise lines and serves as a non-governmental consultative organisation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an agency of the United Nations.

Information supplied by : CLIA Australasia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia, the HOME of Australian Cruising !

Aussie Mums Given a Special Treat Onboard Pacific Jewels' Mothers Day Cruise.

In an extra special treat for Aussie mums, Australian Idol winner Damien Leith joined the cruise line’s three-night Mother’s Day cruise on the weekend to perform exclusively for Pacific Jewel’s guests.

The Irish-Australian singer-songwriter, who won Australian Idol in 2006, performed a selection of his greatest hits as well as tracks from his latest album Chapter Seven during two shows in the ship’s Marquee theatre.

A select group of guests who won an onboard competition also rubbed shoulders with the multi-platinum Aria-award winning singer during an exclusive cocktail party in the Dome.

Meanwhile every cabin received a copy of Chapter Seven as a special Mother’s Day gift.

While onboard, Damien and his children enjoyed all the ship has to offer including the largest adventure park at sea, P&OEdge.

Information supplied by : P&O Cruises Australia.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !