Cruise News - June
If there's a cruise in your future, there's no better time than now to take it. With the economy spluttering, cruise lines are slashing fares, reducing some by as much as 60 per cent. Other deals are out there as well, with free upgrades, free or reduced airfares, cheaper pre- and post-cruise tours and onboard credits among many.
Add to that the debut this year of nine major ships to the world passenger fleet and 18 smaller river vessels and you have more cruising choices than ever before. Reduced fares can be found across the board but some are truly astounding.
Plus, make sure to check out our new website www.cruises.com.au, and join our Facebook page 'Cruises.com.au' to meet other interested cruisers.
See you on a cruise soon,
John Pond, News Editor & eNews Editor
Cruise Passenger magazine
John.pond@cruisepassenger.com.au
Great Oceania Rates
Over the seven years since its launch, Oceania has gained a following of loyal cruisers who tend to book very early to secure their spots on the line's elegant ships. In fact, while most cruisers book 60 to 90 days in advance to secure the best rates, Oceania enthusiasts book on average nine months in advance. And right now, it's very tempting to do so.
The line's 2010 European cruises have just gone on sale and Oceania is offering discounts on nearly every sailing, this year and next. Many sailings are discounted by 60 per cent or more. In addition to heavily discounted rates, Oceania is offering onboard credits of $200 to $900 per stateroom on select sailings.
Hairspray on board
Oasis of the Seas has announced it will feature a production of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray on board the ship. Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever built, weighing in at 220,000 tons, and can carry 5,400 passengers.
The musical will be the first Broadway show to be staged by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and one of the few legitimate Broadway productions to be staged at sea. Broadway shows are typically much longer than what cruise passengers experience at sea, so it's likely RCI's version will be shortened. The production will take place at the Opal Theater and with just 1,380 seats, booking tickets may be necessary.
Best of both ships
Wings Away Travel has brought together the best of both cruise worlds in a unique package seldom offered in Australia: a week of 'big ship' cruising the Mediterranean on MSC Poesia followed by a week of river cruising through Burgundy and Provence on the four-star Avalon Scenery.
Accommodation on MSC Poesia is in an outside cabin with balcony and on Avalon Scenery is an outside stateroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. The package includes 22 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 15 dinners as well as select guided sightseeing on MSC Poesia and nine port excursions on Avalon Scenery. Also included are two nights' accommodation in Venice, one in Nice and three in Paris for a total of 20 nights. The package kicks off in September this year and prices start from $12,840pp including return flights and taxes from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Christmas in July
Witness the magical beauty of Sydney Harbour this winter on Captain Cook Cruises' two-night Sydney Weekender cruise aboard the MV Captain Cook's Explorer and bring a partner or friend for half the price. As an added surprise, the cruise - departing June 10 - will celebrate Christmas in July. Onboard dining is first class and guaranteed to keep you warm with hearty buffet breakfasts, al fresco luncheons featuring fresh local seafood and the elegant Captain's Dinner with live music and dancing.
MV Captain Cook's Explorer has 60 cabins with a choice of twin or double berths all with harbour views and ensuite facilities. Sydney Weekender cruises depart June 12, July 10 and August 28, 2009, from 1 King Street Wharf. Prices from $470pp twin share for the first person and from $235pp twin share for the second person. Prices include all accommodation, meals, onboard facilities and most shore excursions.
Great news for Australian families
Disney Cruise Line has announced plans to move Disney Wonder from its current home base in Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Port of Los Angeles in 2011. The company is working with the port to finalise a two-year agreement with a three-year extension option.
Disney is presenting the relocation as part of an overall expansion plan. It will put two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy - currently under construction in Germany - at Port Canaveral in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Each will feature 1,250 staterooms and will weigh 128,000 tons. When in service, they will more than double Disney Cruise Line's current passenger capacity. The number of Australians booking on this line should jump enormously with the move when families don't need to travel the extra distance to Miami.
Ship Shares Looking Good
RCI's first quarter loss was not as bad as expected. Though revenues are down, the world's second largest cruise operator has fared better than expected. The company also operates Celebrity Cruises.
Luckily, financing for RCI's Oasis of the Seas has been finalised and the 220,000-ton vessel will succeed the company's 160,000-ton Freedom Class cruise ships as the world's largest.
Carnival's Big Ship
Carnival Cruise Line's latest ship, Carnival Splendor, offers activities galore with Vegas-type shows, a mini golf course, water slides, movies under the stars and a great deal more. With accommodation for 3,006 passengers it is the largest in the Carnival fleet. Carnival Splendor will make year-round cruises to the Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, California, making it the largest Carnival ship to ever sail the West Coast. Though cruises.com.au guesses Mexican ports will be out of the question for now.
Tie The Knot at Sea
Romantics can get married or renew their vows at sea aboard the classic ocean liner Athena in Australia next summer, when Classic International Cruises releases their new and affordable wedding and vow packages. Once a transatlantic liner and boasting its own chapel, the intimate yacht-like Athena will offer traditional cruise holidays from Fremantle and Adelaide between December 2009 and March 2010.
The new wedding, same-sex commitment and vow renewal packages will be offered on any of the 16 cruises from two to 35 nights departing Western Australia and South Australia next summer, including a special four-night Valentine's cruise, departing Fremantle on Valentine's Day 2010. The packages include use of Athena's chapel, beauty and hair treatments for the bride and groom, pre-wedding drinks for the wedding party, music, champagne and canaps after the ceremony, wedding portrait and group picture, private dining area with selected wines, wedding cake, Champagne, petit fours and fresh fruit for the honeymooners in their cabin, as well as a bouquet for the bride. Wedding ceremonies are performed by celebrants as arranged by the couple.
Vow renewal packages include the ceremony conducted by the captain and all the options offered in the wedding package. Post-ceremony cocktail parties can also be arranged. Discounts for group bookings are also available for relatives and friends joining the couple on the cruise.
Third Person For $57 A Day
Passengers aboard Holland America Line's (HAL) ms Volendam sailing the 14-night Pacific Treasures roundtrip from Sydney on January 6, 2010 have the opportunity to bring along an additional third or fourth guest for just $57 per person, per day. This offer is ideal for families looking for a great school holiday getaway.
The cruise calls in Noumea, Mouli and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; Port Vila and Luganville in Vanuatu and Lautoka and Levuka in Fiji before returning to Sydney on January 20. Fares from $2,391pp twin share for an inside stateroom and $2,681pp twin share for an outside stateroom.
Barge Through France for Half Price
French barge operators have announced discounts of up to 50 per cent on normal prices, making this year the perfect time to explore the scenic canals and rivers of France. French Travel Connection is offering dozens of crewed barges in some of the most spectacular regions of France including Burgundy, Provence and the Loire Valley. Each barge is a floating boutique hotel with a choice of four grades from comfort to ultimate luxury and capacities from three to 10 cabins. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms and all meals are included.
Inexpensive options include the atmospheric Lorraine, cruising among the villages and vineyards of Burgundy. Priced from around $3600pp twin share for a six-night cruise, Lorraine is offering discounts of 40 per cent in June and July 2009. Or for the ultimate in luxury, book your passage on the five-star Napoleon, operated by Orient-Express. Napoleon cruises the Rhone through Provence, offering the style and service of a fine Parisian hotel from $5700pp twin share for a six-night cruise.
IN BRIEF
NCL's huge water park
Norwegian Cruise Line is taking the plunge with their next cruise ship, Norwegian Epic, by featuring enormous deck-top amusements in their very large water park. Features will include a rappelling wall and a 33-foot-high extreme rock-climbing wall. The line recently announced that the 4,200-passenger ship, due to debut in May 2010, will also feature curve-walled cabins, an ice bar, bowling alleys and 14 dining venues.
P&O to visit Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island Tourism has welcomed P&O Cruises' announcement that its ships will make five visits to the island next year. Pacific Sun will call at Norfolk Island four times between March and June, 2010, as part of her South Pacific itineraries from Auckland, while superliner Pacific Jewel will make one call in September.
