Cruise News - APRIL
Welcome to Cruise Passenger magazine's e-news April 2009
The new-look Autumn issue of Cruise Passenger magazine (with free Adventure Cruise Guide) is out now - see inside for our amazing, strictly limited, subscription offers and treat your cruising friends to a subscription while these prices last. Don't forget that we welcome your comments about the magazine and are keen to hear your stories about your cruise experiences, so please send me an email or write to 51 Whistler Street, Manly, NSW 2095.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sally Macmillan, Editor
CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE
sally.macmillan@edgecustom.com.au
Free is the order of the day - free flights, free upgrades, free on board credits, 'buy one get one free'. The economy has caused a lot of European and North Americans to think twice about their vacations. The result is fares and inclusions that Australians have never before experienced. If you're a self-funded retiree, even though your nest egg has taken a battering, your remaining dollars have never had such purchasing power. The beauty of a cruise is that you know exactly what your outgoings are. About the only things extra to spend on a cruise is alcohol and spa treatments. If you are like me and drink mainly iced tea (which is free) your on-board account could be very small.
See you on a cruise soon,
John Pond, News Editor and eNews Editor
CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE
john.pond@cruisepassenger.com
Polar bears in the wild
Without a doubt one of the most eagerly sought-after wildlife experiences in the world is seeing a polar bear in the wild. Aurora Expeditions has led the way in environmentally sensitive voyages to the High Arctic for more than a decade and in 2009 will operate six expeditions to the High Arctic that will seek to enter the realm of the ice bear. The company has also launched a new voyage departing from Alaska to Bering Strait and Wrangel Island, renowned as the home to the world's largest population of breeding polar bears.
Extensive refurbishment on Carnival Sensation
The 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation and emerged with a host of new facilities and features, including a sprawling water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat ('Serenity', located aft on the Promenade Deck) and redesigned tropical themed main pool. The extensive renovation, which took place during a 35-day dry dock, is part of Carnival Cruise Line's 'Evolutions of Fun' refurbishment program for the line's eight Fantasy class vessels. Carnival Sensation is the fourth 'Fun Ship' to receive the upgrades, joining Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Fantasy, which have already been renovated. The four remaining Fantasy class ships will be refurbished over the next few years.
Queen Elizabeth superliner
Cabins on Cunard's new superliner, Queen Elizabeth (now under construction in Italy), go on sale this month, about 18 months before the debut of the $1.1 billion giant. Interest in the new ship from cruise lovers around the world is expected to be intense. The 2,100 passenger liner will be launched in spring 2010 as the second-biggest Cunard liner ever built, after Queen Mary 2. Following the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2 last year, the new ship, details of which are being kept under wraps, will take the name of the original 84,000-ton Queen Elizabeth which was launched in 1938, then the biggest passenger ship in the world. Queen Elizabeth's debut will mean three Cunard Queens will again sail the world's seas from 2010, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
Pacific Dawn lights up
The entertainment line-up on board P&O Cruises' Australia-based superliner Pacific Dawn has taken a new direction with the introduction of an exciting program of laser light shows. In an Australian cruise industry first, Pacific Dawn's three-level atrium is turned into a light and sound production, three times every cruise. During the how, bright strobes of light beam around the darkened atrium to the beat of music while dancers in reflective costumes partner with the lasers to create a spectacular effect.
Popular Athena
Classic International Cruises' flagship is returning to Europe for her northern hemisphere summer season. For the first time, the cruise line has released for sale a series of 23 seven-night return cruises aboard Athena from Athens to seven ports in five countries on three continents between May and October, 2009. A brochure is now available at travel agents. Originally a transatlantic liner, the 16,000-ton Athena features traditional wooden deck chairs, a marbled reception foyer, pool, fitness centre and sauna, five bars and lounges, nightclub, show lounge, casino, library, boutiques, cinema and two restaurants offering traditional two sitting dining and much loved, late night buffets no longer offered on most modern ships. Athena will return to Australia in December 2009 for her second summer season of cruises from Fremantle and Adelaide.
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line's new 4,200-passenger Epic is scheduled for delivery in May 2010. Epic will be the largest 'freestyle' cruise ship yet, Freestyle being NCL's registered trade name for a 'no fixed dining time', an informal dress code, more relaxed disembarkation, more lounges and bars and more entertainment options. By offering even more nightlife than a typical cruise ship, Epic designers are attempting to bring South Beach, Miami, to the cruise ship.
New Florida port
Until now, Royal Caribbean International's homeport for new ships has always been the Port of Miami, but this will change with the arrival of the new 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas, which will call Port Everglades home. When Oasis of the Seas is launched later this year, it will be the world's largest cruise ship and requires a larger homeport with more passenger service areas and longer docks. Port Everglades has enlarged its newest and biggest pier, Terminal 18, to accommodate Oasis of the Seas and future ships of similar size. With 67,500 square feet of interior space, Terminal 18 already was the largest of Port Everglade' 12 cruise terminals.
Carnival Australia expands again
The largest cruise operator in the world is again expanding their Australian operations, following another record cruise season. Over the six months of our cruise season, a record 168,000 passengers sailed on Carnival Australia ships locally. An unprecedented 12 cruise ships from Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia and P&O Cruises UK, all represented by Carnival Australia, made 227 calls around Australia during our cruise season. By the end of 2009, both Sydney and Brisbane will have their own dedicated superliners, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn. In 2010, Pacific Pearl will operate in Australian waters, along with Pacific Sun, bringing the local fleet to four ships.
Princess Cruises' Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will continue their full-time Australian deployment from Melbourne, Sydney and Fremantle.
Sun Princess to WA
Princess Cruises has announced its premium superliner Sun Princess will return to Western Australia in May 2010 for its biggest ever season, with a record six cruises on offer including an exciting new odyssey to Asia. Departing Fremantle on August 15, 2010, the 30-night journey will sail to Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Brunei. Passengers will also be able to absorb the colour and history of Vietnam with Sun Princess calling at four ports in the nation's north and south, Da Nang, Hanoi, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Also on offer will be two of its popular Northern Explorer cruises across Australia's Top End as she cruises to and from Fremantle, including Princess Cruises' first ever itinerary from Queensland, a 15-night voyage from Brisbane to Fremantle.
IN BRIEF
Dawn Princess 2010 World Voyage now on sale
Princess Cruises has announced details of its second 104-night world voyage onboard Dawn Princess, departing Sydney in May 2010, to give Australians a chance to enjoy a Northern Hemisphere summer as they travel the globe. www.princess.com
Pacific Jewel's inaugural program
The inaugural program of the 70,000-tonne Pacific Jewel, which will arrive in Sydney in December this year, features more than 30 South Pacific cruises to destinations in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. Also on offer are two eight-night cruises around the magnificent Tasmanian coastline, several journeys to New Zealand and two three-day sampler cruises, with prices starting from $589 per person.
Be a ship's godparent
On June 24, this year, Seabourn Odyssey will set sail on her maiden voyage from Venice. All guests sailing aboard Seabourn Odyssey's maiden voyage will receive the honorary title of 'Godparent' during her onboard naming ceremony in Venice. Limited space is still available for this extraordinary voyage aboard what is said to be the world's most exciting new yacht.
