Cruise News - March
Welcome to Cruise Passenger magazine's e-news March 2009
We're very happy to bring you some good news! According to the latest statistics from the International Cruise Council of Australasia (ICCA), the number of Australians taking a cruise increased by an amazing 26 per cent in 2008, with a record number of ships operating in Australian waters from October 2008 to April 2009. More ships means more choice for passengers, from ocean voyages to river cruising and adventure travel, and fares have never been so competitive.
Our new website is being developed, so watch this space... and don't forget that we welcome your comments about the magazine and are keen to hear your stories about your cruise experiences, so please email me at: sally.macmillan@edgecustom.com.au, or write to 51 Whistler Street, Manly, NSW 2095.
And don't miss the Autumn issue of Cruise Passenger with free Adventure Cruise Guide magazine,
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sally Macmillan, Editor
CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE
sally.macmillan@edgecustom.com.au
Last month saw the greatest number of cruise ships visiting Sydney ever, 28 liners in 28 days. Port facilities were stretched beyond their limit. One line had to disembark passengers by tender from the middle of the harbour. When are government officials going to realise what the millions of dollars these cruise passengers spend are worth to our economy?
Perhaps it is time that Clover Moore MP, who is also Sydney's Lord Mayor, needs to ask a few questions in Parliament and endeavour to get better port facilities for our harbour city.
See you on a cruise soon,
John Pond, News Editor and eNews Editor
CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE
john.pond@cruisepassenger.com.au
Silversea floats out new Silver Spirit
Silversea Cruises' newest ship, Silver Spirit, has just been 'floated out' from dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. During the next few months, the new build will undergo her final outfitting ready for delivery later this year. On 23 December, the all-suite luxury ship will embark on an 11-day 'Holiday Spirit' maiden voyage, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, followed on January 3, 2010 by a 16-day 'Maiden Crossing' from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale, where a formal naming ceremony will be held. The 36,000-ton vessel accommodates 540 guests who will have a choice of no less than six restaurants, including an alternative venue for Asian-inspired fusion cuisine and an innovative supper club offering contemporary foods and all-night entertainment.
Don't miss our feature on cruising Alaska onboard Silver Shadow in the autumn issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE, available end of March.
2008 Cruise Passenger Reader Awards
The winners of our annual Cruise Passenger Reader's Awards will be announced in the autumn issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE, available end of March. Thank you so much to everyone who took part, your votes and comments are invaluable to all of us at the magazine and to everyone in the cruise industry. The best Reader Entry is winning a fabulous voucher for an Orient-Express travel adventure, worth $4,000. We will be running a new, easier-to-enter Reader Awards competition for 2009, with entries starting in the winter issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE, available end of June. Give us your feedback about your cruise experiences and you could win a fabulous prize.
Tall ships in the Med
Star Clippers will position its entire fleet of three tall ships in the Mediterranean for the 2010 summer season. It will be the first time since 2007 that all three ships have sailed the Mediterranean at the same time. Star Clipper will continue round-trip Athens routes, while Royal Clipper will maintain the popular itineraries round-trip Civitavecchia (Rome) and between Rome and Venice. Star Flyer is scheduled to sail seven-day round-trip Monaco itineraries, as well as eastern Mediterranean and Turkey cruises from Rhodes, Greece. For more information, call Star Clippers on 1300 362 599 or visit www.starclippers.com.
Front seats for Navy ceremonial fleet
Captain Cook Cruises is operating a cruise on Friday March 13 to welcome the Royal Australian Navy as it enters Sydney Harbour. The fleet will include the largest number of warships Sydney Harbour has seen since the Bicentennial celebrations in 1988, with up to 20 warships accompanied by a Fleet Air Arm fly-past. Fleet entry will start at the Heads of Sydney Harbour and will anchor between Kirribilli Point and Bradley's Head. The best place to view the activities is from Captain Cook Cruises' MV Sydney 2000, which departs from No 1 King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour. Cruise prices are: adults $39 and children $19. For enquiries call Captain Cook Cruises on 02 9206 1100, email dine@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
HAL's new pool concept
The Retreat, a new resort-style pool area on the aft of the Lido deck will be a highlight when Holland America Line's ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam emerge from nearly month-long dry docks. The main focus of the new pool experience will be a shallow area with 44 lounge chairs where guests can relax and dip their fingers and toes in the refreshing water. Built-in benches create another place for guests to relax.
Good news for kids...
...and big kids, too. Costa Cruises and Sony Computer Entertainment Italia have announced a new partnership featuring the world's first dedicated 'PlayStation World' at sea. PlayStation3 and PlayStation2 will be available on board the Italian cruise line's new ships, Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, when they are launched later this year. The entertainment systems will then be rolled out on Costa's remaining 12 ships. PlayStations will also be available in cabins and in the children's and teens' clubs. The fun is set to continue after dark as well, with 'PlayStation Nights' on the giant 18m2 screens on the lido decks of four of Costa's fleet members: Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica.
'Magnificent Europe' river cruise
APT's 15-day 'Magnificent Europe' river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, on one of the company's exclusive river ships, is staffed by an APT Cruise Director. The fully inclusive price includes airport transfers, APT's Freedom of Choice Touring, cruise staff gratuities, a taste of opera at the Budapest State Opera House (an APT exclusive), 41 meals and wine with dinner. This very popular cruise departs weekly. Prices start from $5,545pp (based on cabin category E), which is a saving of $500 per couple for sailings from June 1 to October 31, 2009.
Look out for our full review of the 'Magnificent Europe' cruise in an upcoming issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE.
Dubai cruise hub
Dubai is fast becoming a hub for cruise tourism as cruise tourist arrivals in the Emirates are expected to grow more than 75% to 200,000 this year. Dubai received just 2,700 cruise passengers from five ship calls in 2003, but in 2008 more than 113,000 cruise passengers visited the city. Cruise tourists have grown dramatically since European operator Costa Crociere began using Dubai as a hub for cruises that also visit Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Bahrain.
NCL introduces online check-in
NCL's new online check-in enables both travel partners and guests to update and track pre-cruise activity through a quick, three-step process. "By checking in online with 'My NCL' guests will speed up the boarding process, allowing them to start enjoying their Freestyle Cruising vacation sooner," said Vivian Ewart, Vice President of Passenger Services. Booked guests can log onto www.ncl.com, from reservation inception up until 24-hours before departure, and click on the online check-in icon to begin the process. Guests will be asked to enter their name, ship, sailing date and reservation number in order to create a username and password. Guests can also log into their My NCL account at any time to update their profile and cruise vacation preferences, as well as check on their Latitudes (past guest program) status.
Sydney Harbour brunch a winner
Sydney shines in the early morning and a Sunday Brunch Cruise is a fantastic way to start the day. You'll cruise aboard the spectacular MV Sydney 2000, the vessel chosen for the official arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney. Designed to impress, this vessel offers million-dollar views, spacious interior dining rooms and expansive outdoor observation decks. The all you can eat buffet includes smoked salmon; adults $49 (concession $39). For bookings, call 02 9206 1100.
Pacific Sun's 'Your Choice Dining'
'Your Choice Dining' is now available on board P&O Cruises' Pacific Sun (now based permanently in Fremantle), following the successful debut of the concept on superliner Pacific Dawn. It gives passengers the flexibility to choose where, when and with whom they dine throughout their cruise and replaces the traditional first and second sitting arrangements for evening meals. Pacific Sun passengers can now choose between five dining venues each evening including the Burgundy dining room, the Bordeaux dining room, the Steakhouse, the Outback Cafe, and the Pizzeria.
World's best authors
Guests sailing aboard Cunard's flagship ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, on her transatlantic voyages will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the literary world's most fascinating personalities this year. Among the best-selling authors and playwrights scheduled to sail are EL Doctorow, Erica Jong, Amy Bloom, John Guare and Susan Cheever. They are among several celebrated, award-winning authors who will be part of the enrichment program. Guests can look forward to engaging Q&A discussions, lectures, book signings and readings with select titles to be featured in the Cunard Book Club.
Don't miss details of this and more in Top 10 Cruise Indulgences in the Autumn issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE, available end of March.
Uniworld 'President's Cruise'
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced its inaugural 'President's River Cruise' onboard the new River Beatrice. This spectacular cruise sails from Passau to Budapest. Some extras on this cruise include cocktail reception at Artstetten Castle with Princess Anita von Hohenberg, royal descendant of the Habsburg lineage, plus a guided tour of the Castle's museum and crypt. As well, you can visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna to observe a morning training session or take in a Mozart and Strauss concert at Palais Auersperg in Vienna and dinner at Griechenbeisl, one of the oldest restaurants in Vienna where composers Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner, Strauss and Brahms once dined.
Check out our feature on river cruising in Burgundy and Provence in the autumn issue of CRUISE PASSENGER MAGAZINE, available end of March.
IN BRIEF
Special singles deal
Oceania Cruises has cut its single supplement from 100%-plus to 25%. Singles taking a Cunard transatlantic voyage on Queen Mary 2 will pay an extra 75% instead of 100%, or even just 50% more on some April and May crossings.
Watch this space: other cruise lines are bound to follow their lead
Newcastle cruise terminal?
The NSW Government says Newcastle needs to consider investing in a terminal for cruise ships. Tourism Minister Jodi McKay said recently, "Cruise ship passengers could provide valuable revenue for local businesses. We have a temporary facility for unloading the passengers, but it's certainly not ideal."
This could mean many ships may take advantage of Newcastle as a gateway to the Hunter Valley vineyards for day tours; Sydney Ports, look out.
Cheaper airfares expand cruise choices
With more new airlines calling Australia home and bigger planes equating to more seats, we are starting to see some incredible pricing. This will mean more of us will be heading to Europe and the Americas to take advantage of extremely low cruise prices. Discounts of up to 75% are not unusual. Some five-star cruise lines are not offering huge discounts, but instead offer large onboard credits, upgrades, free flights, included tips and even free shore excursions.
The moral of this story is that if you can afford it, there has never been a better or cheaper time to go cruising.
