October 2016 Issue 103 Price $9.35 (Incl Gst)

19TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION ESTABLISHED 1998

OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE 103 PRICE $9.35 (INCL GST)

Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany

Genting Dream at Meyer-Werft See Photo Gallery Page 55

Pacific Aria off Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island See Feature Pages 48 and 49

Featuring a comprehensive coverage of Global Cruising for Cruise Passengers, the Trade and the Industry www.cruisingnews.com discover the magic of Australia and the South Pacific

FIJI & SOUTH PACIFIC 13 TASMANIA 8 Dawn Princess®, Emerald Princess®, Sun Princess® & Golden Princess® Nights Dawn Princess® & Emerald Princess® Nights

VANUATU Lautoka Sydney South Paciﬁc Mystery Island Savusavu Ocean AUSTRALIA NEW CALEDONIA FIJI Suva Melbourne Nouméa Dravuni Overnight stay AUSTRALIA Island Indian Wineglass & Ocean Oyster Bays South Paciﬁc Scenic cruising Ocean TASMANIA Tasman Sea Hobart Sydney Port Arthur

Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-Suite* Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-Suite* LAUNCH FARES FROM~ $2,049 $2,649 $3,049 $3,749 LAUNCH FARES FROM~ $1,579 $1,889 $2,099 $2,419 SALE FARES FROM $1,549 $1,949 $2,499 $2,999 YOUR FARES FROM $1,399 $1,699 $1,899 Limited 3rd and 4th guest from $649 per person< 3rd and 4th guest from $499 per person< +Fares are per person twin share based on 21/04/17 sailing. Higher fares may apply to other departures. +Fares are per person twin share based on 02/01/17 sailing. Higher fares may apply to other departures. A Itinerary varies: 14 night duration A Itinerary varies: 5 night duration B Itinerary varies: 6 night duration C Itinerary varies: 7 night duration

Other departures also available from Melbourne and Brisbane. Up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom^

BOOK NOW! Visit your Travel Agent | 1300 385 631 | www.princess.com

*Fares are per person, in AUD, in complete twin accommodation, based on lead interior, oceanview, balcony and mini-suite staterooms available at time of printing, inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees, and port expenses (which are subject to change). Offer ends 31st October, 2016. Advertised fares are available until allocation is exhausted and may fluctuate. Some oceanview staterooms have obstructed views. +Fare based on specific departure dates only. Higher fares may apply to other departure dates. Whilst information is correct at time of publication, offer may be withdrawn or varied at any time without notice. ~Comparison launch fares are based on fares launched into the market from October 2014. <3rd and 4th guest fare based on lead interior or oceanview stateroom when travelling with two adult twin fare paying passengers in the same stateroom. To be read in conjunction with the Booking and Passage Conditions available at princess. com/legal/passage_contract/index. jsp which passengers will be bound by. A 1.5% surcharge will apply to all payments made by credit cards for direct bookings made via our call centre and website. Travel agents may charge additional fees - checkJune with 2016your travel agent. Carnival plc trading as Princess Cruises. ABN 23 107 998 443 19TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION ESTABLISHED 1998

OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE 103 PRICE $9.35 (INCL GST) All is in place for a fantastic record-breaking cruise Blohm+Voss shipyard season. More than 40 vessels will be sailing in local in Hamburg, Germany waters including the much awaited arrival of Royal Caribbean’s 167,000 GRT Ovation of the Seas due in Sydney Harbour early morning of 15 December after reaching Fremantle on 6 December with stops at Adelaide on 11 December and Hobart on 13 December – the ship will be a traffic stopper. Also Seabourn

Genting Dream at Meyer-Werft Encore arrives just two weeks after it is officially named in Singapore and the See Photo Gallery Page 55 biggest Princess Cruises’ ship to sail local waters this summer – the spectacular 3082-guest Emerald Princess – is now on her way down under after departing from Southampton. In a voyage reminiscent of the line voyages of last century, Pacific Aria off Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island discover the See Feature Pages 48 and 49 the 113,000-tonne superliner is spending 48 nights sailing across four continents Featuring a comprehensive coverage of Global Cruising for Cruise Passengers, the Trade and the Industry www.cruisingnews.com from Italy to India via the Suez Canal and south through Asia en route to her Front Cover Photos – Blohm+Voss, Meyer-Werft new home in Australia. Making the first of seven maiden Australian port calls magic of Australia and Kingfisher Bay Resort in Fremantle on 8 November, Emerald Princess will cruise via Melbourne on 13 November, arriving at her new Sydney homeport on 15 November. Stretching Cruise Season Underway ...... 5 290 metres, Emerald Princess is one of Princess’ largest ships and is certain to turn heads as she sails from the Emerald City from November 2016 to April $11 million Makeover...... 10 2017. and the Northwest Passage ...... 16 Special Cunard Events ...... 20 This month of October is the CLIA inaugural Cruise Month, which aims to raise consumer awareness of cruising and promote CLIA agent members as cruise America’s Test Kitchen ...... 22 experts. Watch out for some fabulous cruise promotions. South Pacific New PONANT Ships...... 24 This Edition This First Cruise Season...... 26 Happy Cruising! New Terminal Newcastle...... 28

Blohm+Voss – Hamburg FIJI & SOUTH PACIFIC 13 TASMANIA 8 Dawn Princess®, Emerald Princess®, Sun Princess® & Golden Princess® Nights Dawn Princess® & Emerald Princess® Nights

VANUATU Lautoka Sydney South Paciﬁc Mystery Island Savusavu Ocean AUSTRALIA NEW CALEDONIA FIJI Suva Melbourne Nouméa Dravuni Overnight stay AUSTRALIA Island The Choice Is Yours! Indian Wineglass & Ocean Oyster Bays 31 South Paciﬁc Scenic cruising Ocean TASMANIA Tasman Sea Hobart Sydney Port Arthur

► Roundtrip from Sydney ► Roundtrip from Sydney 2016 Departure Dates 2017 Departure Dates 2016 Departure Dates 2017 Departure Dates Nov 6A Nov 28A Apr 21 May 7A Nov 1A Nov 20B Dec 12C Jan 2 Jan 29C The front cover of this issue of Cruising another successful master refit of the Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-Suite* Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-Suite* News features an aerial photograph of liner, completed as planned, in only 21 LAUNCH FARES FROM~ $2,049 $2,649 $3,049 $3,749 LAUNCH FARES FROM~ $1,579 $1,889 $2,099 $2,419 the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, days. Germany. The company provides SALE FARES FROM $1,549 $1,949 $2,499 $2,999 YOUR FARES FROM $1,399 $1,699 $1,899 Limited On the premises of Blohm+Voss New Riverboat customer service and innovative 3rd and 4th guest from $649 per person< 3rd and 4th guest from $499 per person< 38 spanning 421,000 sq.m. there are solutions from a single source. For seven docks with a size of up to 351m +Fares are per person twin share based on 21/04/17 sailing. Higher fares may apply to other departures. +Fares are per person twin share based on 02/01/17 sailing. Higher fares may apply to other departures. Blohm+Voss, the focus is on the A Itinerary varies: 14 night duration A Itinerary varies: 5 night duration in length and 59m in width. Besides customer. Be it refits, servicing and B Itinerary varies: 6 night duration cruise liners, also container ships, C Itinerary varies: 7 night duration maintenance of ships of all types, the naval vessels and luxury yachts can new building of luxury yachts or the easily dock for refits, maintenance supply of spare parts: the company and repairs. The shipyard is centrally Other departures also available realigned itself in order to be able located across Landungsbrücken from Melbourne and Brisbane. Up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom^ to implement complex projects in a timely fashion, applying high service in the heart of the Hanseatic City of standards and fair prices. In the past Hamburg. year alone Blohm+Voss has made 10 Breaking News – The family-owned BOOK NOW! Visit your Travel Agent | 1300 385 631 | www.princess.com cruise liners fit for the future. At the end Luerssen Group, founded in 1875, has Te Papa 43 of May, Queen Mary 2 had its sixth announced the acquisition of the *Fares are per person, in AUD, in complete twin accommodation, based on lead interior, oceanview, balcony and mini-suite staterooms available at time of printing, inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees, and port expenses (which are subject shipyard stay at Blohm+Voss. It was Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg. to change). Offer ends 31st October, 2016. Advertised fares are available until allocation is exhausted and may fluctuate. Some oceanview staterooms have obstructed views. +Fare based on specific departure dates only. Higher fares may apply to other departure dates. Whilst information is correct at time of publication, offer may be withdrawn or varied at any time without notice. ~Comparison launch fares are based on fares launched into the market from October 2014. <3rd and 4th guest fare based on lead interior or oceanview stateroom when travelling with two adult twin fare paying passengers in the same stateroom. To be read in conjunction with the Booking and Passage Conditions available at princess. Plus the latest news and Proudly Published in Australia by John Treacy & Associates. com/legal/passage_contract/index. jsp which passengers will be bound by. A 1.5% surcharge will apply to all payments made by credit cards for direct bookings made via our call centre and website. Travel agents may charge additional Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. fees - check with your travel agent. Carnival plc trading as Princess Cruises. ABN 23 107 998 443 information on Global Passenger Cruising Every effort is made to ensure the information published is correct. www.cruisingnews.com 3 DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD

The point on the map where luxury meets discovery. Featuring LUXURY suites, world-class dining, top-shelf beverages, butler service and spa sanctuary. Twin-engine helicopters, a submarine and a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks add a whole new dimension of DISCOVERY on our shore excursions. A true original, Scenic Eclipse features the very best in INNOVATIVE DESIGN. From the top of the world to Antarctica and everywhere in between, we have a destination you’ve always longed to explore.

Antarctica Arctic & Fjords Europe & The Mediterranean The Americas

Preview pricing now released and selling fast. Maiden voyage 31 August 2018.

SCENIC ECLIPSE THE WORLD’S FIRST DISCOVERY YACHT

Order your preview brochure today | 138 128 SCENIC.COM.AU | or visit your nearest Scenic agent

SNMA138CruisingNews297x210.indd 1 30/09/2016 2:54 PM Record Ship Numbers for 2016/17 Cruise Season Australia and New Zealand will Five cruise lines will be making their first of 12 maiden calls; the debut of welcome an unprecedented number first ever calls to a range of ports from the 92,000-tonne Norwegian Star which of cruise ships this summer, with more Darwin in the Northern Territory to will make seven maiden Australian than 40 vessels sailing in local waters Burnie in Tasmania, while across the calls commencing with Darwin on 29 – including eight ships making their fleets, individual ships will be making January; the maiden Australian visit of maiden visits Down Under. Among close to 70 maiden calls to coastal Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Europa 2 which the flotilla will be the largest ship to towns and cities. The start of the cruise will debut Down Under with her call visit Australia – Royal Caribbean’s season on October 1 coincides with to Hobart on 26 December, making DISCOVER 167,000-tonne Ovation of the Seas – as the beginning of the local cruise 13 inaugural calls around the country; well as the youngest and most luxurious industry’s first ever Cruise Month the inaugural visit of Oceania Cruises’ ship ever to cruise here, the boutique promotion, which will see cruise lines Sirena which will arrive in Sydney on 6 A WHOLE Seabourn Encore, which will arrive offering great deals through cruise March 2017 and make eight maiden in Australia just two weeks after it is specialist travel agents. Highlights calls to local ports; a Royal Rendezvous officially named in Singapore. of the peak summer period include: of Cunard’s remastered flagship The first international ship call for the Queen Mary 2 and her younger sister NEW Detailing the upcoming peak cruise summer season when Celebrity Solstice Queen Elizabeth in Sydney on 25 season, Cruise Lines International returns to Sydney on 8 October; the February; Queen Mary 2’s first ever visit Association (CLIA) Australasia first maiden ship call for the summer to Tasmania with calls to Port Arthur Commercial Director Brett Jardine said WORLD season when Holland America Line’s on 27 February and Hobart on 28 a record 41 ships from CLIA member Maasdam debuts in Sydney on 20 February; Royal Caribbean’s first call cruise lines would be based in Australia October; the inaugural Australian to Wollongong with a visit by Radiance or visiting local waters between 1 season of the largest Princess ship to of the Seas on 30 October and the first October 2016, and 30 April 2017, sail from Australia this summer, the ever round trip cruise to South America compared to 38 ships over the same 3082-guest Emerald Princess, making from Australia – an 84-night cruise by period last year. Between them, the her first Australian call in Fremantle on Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess departing ships will make almost 900 calls to ports 8 November, followed by Melbourne Sydney on 11 January 2017. around Australia over that period – up on 13 November and Sydney on 15 Other visitors include Carnival Legend, 10 per cent on last year’s port calls November; the inaugural visit of the Costa Luminosa, Crystal Symphony, numbers. With more than half the ships largest ship to visit Australia, Royal Queen Victoria, Black Watch, Europa, (23) offering return cruises from our Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, Noordam, Insignia, Arcadia, Aurora, shores, Australians will be able to take arriving in Fremantle on 6 December L’Austral, Golden Princess, Pacific advantage of almost 400 roundtrip to make the first of six maiden calls Princess, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven itineraries from local ports, a 20 per following her launch earlier this year; Seas Navigator, Voyager of the cent rise on last summer’s offerings. the Australian debut of the ultra-luxury Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Legend Mr Jardine said the record season Seabourn Encore arriving in Darwin on 22 January and sailing down the of the Seas, Silver Whisper and Silver reflected the continuing surge in Australian coast to reach Sydney on 2 Discoverer who will join our locally Australian cruise passenger numbers as February and Melbourne on 4 February based ships Pacific Aria, Pacific Dawn, well as the nation’s growing popularity – In all she will make nine maiden Pacific Eden, Pacific Jewel, Pacific as an international cruise destination. Australian calls; the first Australian Pearl, Carnival Spirit, Dawn Princess, Australia is the fourth largest source visit of the luxury Azamara Journey, Sea Princess and Sun Princess. market for cruise passengers in the arriving in Darwin on 8 February, the It will be an outstanding cruise season. world with official CLIA figures showing more than one million Australians The point on the map where luxury meets discovery. Featuring LUXURY suites, took a cruise in 2015 – a 14.6 per world-class dining, top-shelf beverages, butler service and spa sanctuary. Twin-engine cent increase on the previous year. Australian cruise passenger numbers helicopters, a submarine and a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks add a whole new dimension have grown by almost 20 per cent of DISCOVERY on our shore excursions. A true original, Scenic Eclipse features the annually over the past decade very best in INNOVATIVE DESIGN. From the top of the world to Antarctica and everywhere in between, we have a destination you’ve always longed to explore.

Antarctica Arctic & Fjords Europe & The Mediterranean The Americas

Preview pricing now released and selling fast. Maiden voyage 31 August 2018.

SCENIC ECLIPSE THE WORLD’S FIRST DISCOVERY YACHT Seabourn Encore Rendering Order your preview brochure today | 138 128 SCENIC.COM.AU | or visit your nearest Scenic agent www.cruisingnews.com 5

SNMA138CruisingNews297x210.indd 1 30/09/2016 2:54 PM Queen Mary 2 & Queen Elizabeth Royal Rendezvous Sydney 2011

Carnival Legend – James Morgan Emerald Princess

Maasdam Pacific Eden

A Royal Visit to Tonga Royal Caribbean International has “We’ve had our eye on Tonga as a announced Tonga as a brand new destination for our guests for some destination for its upcoming 2016/17 time, with its vibrant culture, diverse season. Radiance of the Seas, marine life and stunning natural nicknamed the “culinary ship” for her beauty,” says Adam Armstrong, rich variety of onboard dining options, managing director for Royal will call at the Tongan ports of Vava’u Caribbean International in Australia on 12 December 2016 and Nuku’alofa and New Zealand. “Radiance of the Radiance of the Seas on 13 December 2016 for the very first Seas is the perfect size for us to explore Nuku’alofa, capital of Tonga and time. The two new destinations will new ports in our region, paving the home to the only royal family in the be part of a 13-night South Pacific, Fiji way for a number of new, exciting Pacific Islands, is a thriving hub of island and Tonga journey. The cruise, which destinations for our guests.” charm and regal tradition. Guests will begins in Sydney on 3 December 2016 The two new destinations will bring a have the opportunity to explore the and calls at the Isle of Pines in New host of unique experiences to the table islands further with a range of optional Caledonia, Lifou in the Loyalty Islands, for Royal Caribbean – the islands of excursions, including whale-watching Suva and Lautoka in Fiji, as well as Vava’u are renowned for their coral and snorkelling in Vava’u and a Tonga, before arriving in Auckland. gardens and sparkling lagoons, while cultural tour in Nuku’alofa.

6 October 2016 Discover the grandeur. Take advantage of an upgrade.

Sail with Cunard on a selected 2017 voyage and receive a complimentary stateroom upgrade^ plus on board spending money up to US$525 per person # Book by 14 November 2016.

To book visit cunard.com, call 13 24 41 or contact your travel agent

Campaign commences 01 September 2016 and ends 14 November 2016, but may end earlier if sold out. Valid for new bookings only. Some Oceanview staterooms may have an obstructed view. ^Stateroom upgrade offer is available based on the upgrade cost between the lead Inside (IF) to lead Balcony (CB) on Queen Victoria and (DF) on Queen Mary 2, twin stateroom, where applicable. ^Grills upgrade offeris based on the upgrade cost between the top Club Balcony (A1) to lead Princess Grill (P2), or top Princess Grill (P1) to lead Queens Grill (Q6), where applicable. #On board spending money listed is in USD,per person, applies to the first two guests sharing a cabin, is non-transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash or be used at the medical centre or casino. On board spending money amount varies by cabin type and voyage duration. Maximum On board spending money listed is based on Queens Grill cabins. Supplements apply for other cabin categories, please contact Cunard for details. Subject to limited availability. To be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions contained in the latest Cunard brochures which passengers will be bound by. Deposits are refundable outside of 180 days. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. Please check with Cunard at the time of booking. Cunard plc as Agent. ABN 23 107 998 443. Three New LNG-Powered Cruise Ships Carnival Corporation & plc has design, these new vessels will be part signed a memorandum of agreement of the first generation of cruise ships with leading German and Finnish to be fully powered by LNG, which is shipbuilders Meyer Werft and Meyer an industry first and an environmental Turku to deliver three additional next- breakthrough that will produce the generation cruise ships that will be fully most efficient ships in the company’s powered by Liquefied Natural Gas history. Pioneering a new era in the (LNG), the cleanest burning fossil fuel in use of alternative fuels that reduce the world. The shipbuilding agreements air emissions, these new ships will use are subject to several conditions, LNG to generate 100 percent of the including satisfactory financing. ship’s power both in port and on the Carnival Corporation said two of open sea – an innovation that will the new LNG-powered ships are significantly reduce exhaust emissions designated for the world’s most to help protect the environment and popular cruise brand, Carnival Cruise support the company’s aggressive Line, and will be built by Meyer Turku sustainability goals. at its shipyard in Turku, Finland, with “We are proud to be at the forefront delivery dates expected in 2020 and of introducing LNG-powered ships 2022. to the cruise industry, working with The new ship for P&O Cruises UK will our partners to achieve shipbuilding be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard breakthroughs like this that will help in Papenburg, Germany, with an us produce the most efficient and expected delivery date in 2020. sustainable ships we have ever In conjunction with the order, the built,” CEO of Carnival Corporation delivery dates for the new builds for & plc. Arnold Donald said. “This is Germany-based AIDA Cruises and also an important step in our fleet Italy-based Costa Cruises for 2020 will enhancement plan that enables us shift to 2021 to allow the company to to execute on our long-term strategy more effectively allocate measured of measured capacity growth over capacity growth across its 10 global time, while delivering innovative new ships that further elevate our already cruise brands in more markets great guest experience. Every time we throughout the world. launch a new ship, we have a new In total, the company now has opportunity to create excitement and agreements in place to build seven show consumers why cruising is a great LNG-powered cruise ships across four vacation at an exceptional value, of its 10 global cruise brands in coming especially for those who typically years. As previously announced, the consider land-based vacations.” first of these ships is expected to be As part of its fleet enhancement plan, in service for AIDA Cruises and Costa Carnival Corporation has already Cruises in 2019. taken delivery of three new ships in Based on Carnival Corporation’s 2016 for its AIDA Cruises, Carnival next-generation “green cruising” ship Cruise Line and Holland America Line brands, and plans to launch the all- new Seabourn Encore in December 2016. Including Seabourn Encore and the three new ships announced for Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises UK, Carnival Corporation has a total of 18 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2022.

Flow with a Pro on Ovation of the Seas The first ever ‘Flow With a Pro’ cruise takes place on Ovation of the Seas’ history making sailing from Fremantle to Sydney in December this year, complete with tuition, expert advice and demonstrations from Adam Wildman, European flowboarding champion in 2013, 2014 & 2016 and Royal Caribbean’s home-grown FlowRider Ambassador. Throughout the cruise guests will receive access to complimentary group lessons from Adam Wildman, plus he’ll showcase 1300 028 502 some of his spectacular tricks with free www.msccruises.com.au E&OE. MSC Cruises (Australia) Pty Limited ABN 55 003 526 725General Sales guest demonstrations along the way. Agent for MSC Cruises S.A. ATAS Accredited No. A10954 We've taken cruise holidays to a whole new level with our unique experiences like Jamie's Italian, North Star viewing capsule, ice shows, Virtual Balconies and more, which is why we were voted Australia's Best Cruise Operator.

Fijian Delight Fijian Adventure Tropical Delights Pacific Island Fusion 11 Nights 12 Nights 10 Nights 12 Nights DEPARTS 15 & 26 MAR 2017 DEPARTS 19 & 31 JAN, 21 FEB 2017 DEPARTS 3 & 25 JAN, 4 & 22 FEB, DEPARTS 28 JAN 2017 Voyager of the Seas Voyager of the Seas 30 MAR 2017 Ovation of the Seas Explorer of the Seas

LOYALTY NEW VANUATU ISLANDS Mystery Island VANUATU F I J I FIJI CALEDONIA Vila VANUATU Lautoka Port Vila Suva Noumea Mystery Island Lautoka Mystery Island Mystery Island Noumea Isle of Pines Isle of Mare NEW Pines CALEDONIA LOYALTY AUSTRALIA NEW Noumea ISLANDS NEW CALEDONIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA CALEDONIA AUSTRALIA Sydney

Sydney Bay of Islands Sydney Sydney Auckland Tauranga NEW ZEALAND

Map based on 15 Mar 2017 Map based on 31 Jan 2017 Map based on 22 Feb 2017

ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM.AU | 1800 754 500 VISIT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT |

Awarded Best Cruise Operator – International Deployment and Domestic Deployment at the 2016 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards. Amenities vary by ship. Exact itineraries are subject to change at any time. ABN 541 5026 3086. J10529 Stunning $11 Million Modern Luxury Makeover for Celebrity Solstice

On the eve of her arrival down under enjoy indulging in the finest Asian inspired cocktails, Japanese beers and for her fifth consecutive season, cuisine, so we’ve added Sushi on Five premium sakes, plus an array of mouth- Celebrity Cruises has revealed details for some of the best sushi at sea,” watering starters and entrées and the of the extensive AUD$11.25 million Armstrong continued. “We’ve no Photo Gallery – Celebrity Solstice’s revitalisation planned for Celebrity doubt Australians are going to love all Photo Gallery will also receive a full Solstice, including “A Taste of Film” our new offerings, and can’t wait to modern luxury makeover, removing cinema experience under the stars, unveil them when Celebrity Solstice the traditional panel display of printed new Lawn Club cabanas, an authentic returns to our shores in November,” he photos and introducing 25 state-of-the- Japanese sushi restaurant and an all- concluded. art touch screen kiosks, where guests new digital photo gallery. Australians The revitalisation will see various will be able to view their professional will be the first to experience Celebrity enhancements and additions photos taken throughout their cruise Solstice’s myriad of exciting new implemented throughout the ship, and purchase a variety of photo features. After making her debut as the including: A Taste of Film – Celebrity formats. This new service allows guests first international cruise ship to return Solstice will be the first of the Solstice to download their purchased photos to Sydney for the summer season on 8 Class ships to offer this gastronomic and direct to their mobile device at any October, the 2,850-guest ship will cruise film adventure, which pairs big-screen time during their cruise, and instantly to Singapore where she will enter dry- movies that evoke a specific cultural, share their cruise memories with friends dock on 22 October. Emerging nine culinary or destination experience, and family back home via social days later, Celebrity Solstice will then with cuisine that brings the scenes sail into her Sydney home-port on 14 on the screen to life through guests’ networking, email or messaging. November. taste buds. Additionally, a large In addition, an expansive Art Gallery “Since her very first season down under, movie screen will be added to The will emerge from the current Photo Celebrity Solstice has won the hearts Lawn Club where the unique culinary Gallery, featuring a dedicated auction of Aussies,” says Adam Armstrong, experience will be hosted; Lawn Club location with contemporary art lining Managing Director of Celebrity Cruises Cabanas – Brand new alcove-style the freshly renovated space. Suites in Australia and New Zealand. “With cabanas will border the real grass lawn onboard will also see various modern this extensive revitalisation, we’re for additional seating and relaxation luxury enhancements, including lavish adding more of the things they love, space. Guests will be able to adjust new patio furniture being added to making the highest rated cruise ship the cabanas to their preferred view suite balconies. even better. Australians are great throughout the day, whether it be out lovers of the outdoors, so our iconic, to sea or towards the outdoor movie The newly revitalised Celebrity Solstice real grass Lawn Club has proven to screen; Sushi on Five – Celebrity’s hotly will arrive back in Sydney on 14 be incredibly popular. We’ll enhance anticipated newest dining experience November, following a repositioning this space even further by adding will take the place of Bistro on Five and cruise from Singapore. She’ll then an outdoor movie screen, beautiful feature an expertly crafted à la carte embark on a series of picturesque cabanas, and introducing “A Taste of menu, curated by sushi chef Yoshikazu itineraries with calls to the green natural Film” experience, which pairs classic “Yoshi” Okada. Sushi on Five will offer oasis of New Zealand, the exotic films with culinary delights – an industry hand-rolled sushi, fresh tableside grated escape of Indonesia, and to sought- first. We also know that Australians wasabi, house-made soy sauce, Asian- after destinations across Australia.

Carnival Corporation Orders Two New Cruise Ships to Be Built in China Carnival Corporation & plc has formed China-based shipbuilding brand in China. Based on Carnival announced that its cruise joint venture joint venture between China’s largest Corporation’s Vista-class platform, the in China has signed a non-binding shipbuilder, China State Shipbuilding design for the new ships will be tailored memorandum of agreement (MOA) Corporation (CSSC), and Italy-based to order the industry’s first new cruise Fincantieri S.p.A., the world’s largest for the new Chinese cruise brand and ships built in China for the Chinese cruise shipbuilding company. The MOA the specific tastes of Chinese travellers. market. The MOA is subject to several also grants Carnival Corporation’s The first of these ships is expected for conditions including closing of the cruise joint venture the option to order delivery in 2022. The partners signed joint venture, financing and other two additional China-built cruise ships. the memorandum of agreement at key terms. As part of the new MOA, Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint venture in China will operate the new the 11th annual China Cruise Shipping venture in China agreed to order two ships as part of its plans to launch and International Cruise Expo (CCS11) new cruise ships to be built by a newly the first multi-ship domestic cruise in Tianjin, China.

10 October 2016 Here the best keeps getting better

RELAX IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THIS SUMMER ON THE NEWLY REVITALISED CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

CLASSIC US$150 BEVERAGE ONBOARD PACKAGE PICK CREDIT A FREE PERK PREPAID UNLIMITED GRATUITIES INTERNET

FIJI LOYALTY FIJI ISLANDS Lautoka LOYALTY LOYALTY Lautoka LOYALTY NEW ISLANDS Suva ISLANDS NEW ISLANDS NEW CALEDONIA Suva CALEDONIA Mystery Island Lifou Lifou CALEDONIA Noumea NEW Mystery Island Noumea Noumea Isle of Pines CALEDONIA Isle of Pines Noumea Lifou AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

Sydney Sydney Sydney Sydney

SOUTH PACIFIC CHRISTMAS SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS SOUTH PACIFIC & FIJI SOUTH PACIFIC GETAWAY 12 NIGHTS | Celebrity Solstice 8 NIGHTS | Celebrity Solstice 12 NIGHTS | Celebrity Solstice 7 NIGHTS | Celebrity Solstice DEPARTS 23 DEC 2016 DEPARTS 4 JAN 2017 DEPARTS 1 MAR 2017 DEPARTS 13 APR 2017

1800 754 500 | VISIT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT | CELEBRITYCRUISES.COM.AU

* Terms and Conditions Apply. Jeremy Sims Takes Centre Stage Princess Cruises has announced that Announcing the guest speaker, acclaimed Australian actor director Princess also confirmed the cruise Jeremy Sims will play a leading role program would include Neil Armfield’s during its second Travelling Film Festival multi-award winning film Holding the at Sea. Jeremy will join a spectacular Man, Gillian Armstrong’s Women He’s line-up of world class cinema and Undressed, international sensation interactive events planned for the Phoenix starring Nina Hoss, Simon cruise – a six-night roundtrip voyage Stone’s all-star drama The Daughter, from Sydney to Tasmania on Dawn Bill Condon’s Mr Holmes starring Sir Ian Princess. Guests will be able to enjoy a McKellen, delightful family comedy The special viewing of Jeremy’s acclaimed Crow’s Egg, and Iris from legendary between Princess Cruises and The film Last Cab to Darwin, starring documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles Sydney Film Festival, the Travelling Film Michael Caton of The Castle fame, about flamboyant fashion icon Iris Festival at Sea will depart Sydney on 1 followed by an exclusive Q&A session Apfel. November 2016 and will include calls with the director. Created in a unique partnership to historic Port Arthur and Hobart.

Visit from National Geographic Travel team P&O’s cruises to Papua New Guinea join the memorable 10-night voyage, are in the international spotlight, with which saw them learning about the the prestigious National Geographic history of Papua New Guinea, visiting Travel team joining a Pacific Aria special sites such as the skull caves of voyage to the islands. The trip marked Alotau and Rabaul’s live volcano and the first time that National Geographic enjoying beautiful snorkelling in the Travel has worked with a cruise line in waters off Kitava and Kiriwina. Australia, as well as its first visit to the During their trip the duo produced remote Papua New Guinea Islands of daily Snapchat pieces and posted Alotau, Kitava and Kiriwina and the several images on the NatGeoTravel Pictured are (L-R): Jess Mandia – city of Rabaul. Instagram and Twitter accounts, National Geographic Associate Photo US-based Associate Photo Producer attracting more than half a million Producer, Pacific Aria Captain Anthony Jess Mandia and Associate Producer likes. A story will soon appear on the Herriott and Associate Producer Becky Becky Davis travelled to Brisbane to National Geographic Travel website. Davis.

Seabourn’s ultimate Alaska returning to the great land in 2017

SEWARD Haines Juneau SEWARD Haines Juneau Tracy Arm/ Tracy Arm/ Endicott Arm Aialik Glacier Endicott Arm Icy Strait Point Sumner Strait Icy Strait Sumner Strait Wrangell Chiswell Sitka Islands Point Wrangell Rudyerd Bay Sitka Rudyerd Bay Gulf of Behm Narrows Kenai Fjords Alaska Misty Fjords Behm Narrows Misty Fjords Ketchikan Ketchikan Prince Rupert Grenville Channel Gulf of Klemtu Alaska Princess Royal Channel Alert Bay Bella Bella Paci c Paci c Johnstone Strait Ocean VANCOUVER Ocean VANCOUVER

11-day Ultimate Alaskan Sojourn from $9,999*pp 14-day Ultimate Glacier & Fjord Adventure from $14,500*pp Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage) • 1 Jun 2017 • Seabourn Sojourn Seward (Anchorage) to Vancouver • 12 Jun 2017 • Seabourn Sojourn

Enjoy your journey on the World’s Finest Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line. Contact your travel professional, call Seabourn at 13 24 02 or visit Seabourn.com

*All fares are in Australian dollars, cruise-only, per guest, double occupancy and subject to availability. Fares are correct as of 5 Oct 2016. Some suite categories may not be available. Taxes, fees and port expenses are included. Fares are not combinable with any other offer, may vary by sailing date, are capacity controlled, and subject to change without prior notice. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Seabourn reserves the right to correct errors. Ships’ registry: Bahamas. © 2016 Seabourn.

12 October 2016 JOURNEY TO EUROPE WITH A LOCAL

Livorno St.-Tropez (Florence/ Toulon Pisa) 24-DAY WESTERN Marseille (Provence) Monte Sète Carlo MEDITERRANEAN Cádiz (Seville) Barcelona Gibraltar Alicante ADVENTURE Málaga Ajaccio ROUNDTRIP CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME) (Granada) Calvi CIVITAVECCHIA 4 Jun & 8 Sep 2017 Palma de (ROME) Ceuta Mallorca ms Westerdam Almería (Grenada)

DISCOVER THE WORLD WITH FOUR OFFERS VALUED UP TO US$3,300* Book select January 2017-April 2018 cruises and receive all four offers below:* • Signature Beverage Package valued at US$100 per stateroom per day • Pinnacle Grill dinner valued at US$58 per stateroom • Reduced fares for friends & kids • 50% reduced deposit

Days and nights with Holland America Line are among the most memorable of a lifetime. Sail in classic style on beautifully appointed ships to over 400 ports of call, and on board choose from multiple entertainment & dining options. So experience the glories of Europe with the cruise line that knows it best. Holland America Line.

* Explore4 offers are per stateroom based on double occupancy, available for new bookings only, are not combinable with any other discounts, and are not transferable or refundable. Offers are available on select 2017 & 2018 departures. Offer value is based on a 24-day cruise, double occupancy. For full terms and conditions applicable to your cruise, please refer to hollandamerica.com/Explore4. Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Other restrictions may apply. Explore4 offers end 18 November 2016. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands. MSC Splendida to China as of May 2018 MSC Cruises has revealed that it will the most popular ship for Chinese deploy its MSC Splendida to China and other Asian guests cruising the as of May 2018. In connection with Mediterranean with us. MSC Splendida this, following in the footsteps of the represents a second, strong step announcement of the opening of towards meeting the growing demand the new MSC Cruises own office in for our unique product and ultra- Shanghai and a new management modern ships by Chinese guests. She and operations team based there, the will also undergo significant dry-dock Company is taking another key step enhancement in late 2017, ahead of to further improve its ability to serve her deployment, to further improve the Chinese home market. Built in and customise her already amazing 2009, 137,936 GRT MSC Splendida will range of services.” also become one of the largest, most modern cruise ships operating in the MSC Splendida will also introduce region. She features 1,637 cabins, 76% the MSC Yacht Club to the Chinese of which come with a balcony and market. This is an exclusive, “ship- can accommodate a total of 4,363 within-a-ship” high-end concept that is unique to MSC Cruises and is designed HELLESYLT/GEIRANGER guests. Norway for the most discerning guests who FLAAM In her new positioning, MSC Splendida desire exclusivity and privacy. Offering ST. PETERSBURG will join MSC Lirica, which has been STOCKHOLM Russia a broad range of private facilities, STAVANGER TALLINN serving to great success the Chinese (Lysefijord) Estonia market since May 2016 and has MSC Yacht Club’s guests benefit from Sweden exclusive services including a 24-hour North recently moved her homeport to Sea Denmark personal butler, dedicated concierge Baltic Tianjin, to serve the thriving North China COPENHAGEN Sea market during the winter season. reception as well as priority boarding KIEL and disembarkation. MSC Splendida (Lubeck) Speaking at a press conference in Germany will be the only ship to make this high- Beijing, Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ MSC MAGNIFICA | 14 NIGHTS | 2017 end offering available to Chinese Ex COPENHAGEN EVERY SATURDAY Chief Executive Officer, commented: or Ex WARNEMUNDE EVERY SUNDAY “Deploying MSC Splendida to the guests in their home market. Norway GEIRANGER shores of China is a further testimony MSC Splendida will visit many popular HELLESYLT Finland FLAAM of our commitment to this key growth cruise destinations in China, Japan HELSINKI ST. PETERSBURG BERGEN market. In fact, since it came into and Korea. Her itinerary details will be Russia TALLINN service MSC Splendida has been announced in due course. Estonia North Sea Name Revealed Denmark Baltic COPENHAGEN Sea MSC Cruises has announced the name of its second STX France-built Meraviglia-

WARNEMUENDE WARNEMUNDE/BERLIN generation ultramodern mega cruise ship. She will be called MSC Bellissima and (Berlin) Germany will come into service in the northern spring 2019. Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer, commented: “MSC Bellissima is a name that embodies the beauty and the magnificence of this entire next generation of MSC Cruises ultramodern mega-ships, so rich with new OVER LONGYEARBYEN features and amenities for guests of all ages and interests.” NIGHT (Spitsbergen) STAY Seabourn Encore for Australia in 2017-18 Programs HONNINGSVAG Norwegian (North Cape) Seabourn has announced that the newest addition to its small ship fleet, Sea TROMSO Norway Seabourn Encore, will offer an encore Australian season in 2017-18. After spending her first summer cruising local waters in early 2017, the 600-guest ship will HELLESYLT/GEIRANGER FLAAM BERGEN return for an encore season, offering five 16-day voyages in the region between

HAMBURG December 2017 and February 2018. Germany There will be a 16-day voyage from Sydney to Auckland on 4 December 2017, or 21 January 2018, and visiting New Zealand ports including Tauranga and Wellington, as well as Philip Island and Melbourne in Victoria. At the end of her three-month stint down under, Seabourn Encore will depart Sydney on 22 February 2018, on an 18-day voyage along the Queensland coast en route to CALL 1300 028 502 Bali. www.msccruises.com.au Seabourn Director of Sales Australia Tony Archbold said the return of Seabourn or see your travel agent Encore was great news for the Australian market. “We’re so thrilled that the world’s newest and most luxurious ship will call Australia home again in 2017-18. Seabourn Encore’s second Australian season will be twice as long as her first – a testament to the growth of the ultra-luxury cruise market in our region as well as a nod to Australians’ love of the finer things in life,” Mr Archbold said. MAIDEN AUSTRALIAN SEASON LESS THAN ARRIVING FEBRUARY 2017 MONTHS TO GO!

What makes Azamara Club Cruises® different from everyone else? It’s our focus on making sure our guests can experience each destination in-depth, and return home enriched with memories. Here are just some of the things that make Azamara different:

Longer stays in port, more overnights and night touringSM Friendly and intuitive service from our wonderful crew All-inclusive with house beers, wines, spirits and more Beautifully crafted itineraries that visit unique ports Recently revitalised, boutique-style ships that epitomise luxury other ships can’t reach

Great Barrier Reef Australia & New Zealand New Zealand Explorer Australia & Asia 18 NIGHT VOYAGE 15 NIGHT VOYAGE 16 NIGHT VOYAGE 18 NIGHT VOYAGE WED 1 FEB - SUN 19 FEB 2017 SUN 19 FEB - MON 6 MAR 2017 MON 6 MAR - WED 22 MAR 2017 WED 22 MAR - SUN 9 APR 2017

Singapore Singapore INDONESIA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND INDONESIA Komodo NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA Thursday Island Waitangi Celukan Sydney Russel Thursday Island Bali Port Douglas Sydney Bawang Bali Darwin Auckland Tauranga Cairns Cairns Melbourne Auckland Darwin Townsville Tauranga Townsville Napier Whitsundays Picton Whitsundays Port Arthur Napier Great Barrier Hobart Wellington Hobart Milford Sound Milford Sound Reef AUSTRALIA Akaroa Kaikoura Akaroa AUSTRALIA Dunedin Brisbane Dunedin Sydney Sydney

LATE NIGHT STAY (20:00 OR LATER) OVERNIGHT STAY Itineraries as well as embarkation and debarkation times may change without notice. Please visit AzamaraClubCruises.com.au for the most up-to-date itineraries. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.AZAMARACLUBCRUISES.COM.AU Mission Accomplished: Crystal Serenity Completes 32-day Northwest Passage Journey More than three years after the inception of the immensely ambitious plan to transit the Northwest Passage, Crystal Cruises’ luxury cruise ship Crystal Serenity has completed the epic undertaking. The successful voyage marks the first of its kind made by a large luxury cruise ship. For 32 days and 7,297 nautical miles, more than 1,000 guests and 600 crew members witnessed the remote Arctic waterways and terrain that was inaccessible just over 100 years ago. “We are humbled and thrilled to have completed such a monumental journey,” said Edie Rodriguez, CEO and president at Crystal. “As Crystal is constantly seeking new ways to share the world with our guests, the Northwest Norwegian Jewel Receives Thumbs Up Passage represents an especially massive undertaking that Following the announcement of Norwegian Jewel’s was made possible by the extreme dedication of our expert deployment to Australasia commencing November 2017, destination team and expedition partners. We now look Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Norwegian forward to beginning the planning process in delivering Cruise Line Holdings Asia Pacific, Steve Odell, together with another memorable experience for guests on our 2017 Vice President of Sales for Norwegian Cruise Line Australia sailing. ” & New Zealand, Nicole Costantin, undertook a site check Crystal Serenity was captained by Master Birger J. Vorland, of the ship in Seattle ahead of the company’s inaugural who enters an exclusive club of maritime explorers to consumer campaign promoting the ship, planned for successfully lead a vessel through the Northwest Passage, October 2016. and joins Norwegian-born sailors Roald Amundsen and Henry A. Larsen on achieving the professional milestone. “From the moment you step foot aboard Norwegian Jewel During the northernmost portion of the journey, Crystal the freedom and flexibility of choice that Norwegian Cruise Serenity was escorted by the RRS Ernest Shackleton. In Line has become renowned for is apparent,” said Mr Steve addition to being fully equipped as a first response vessel Odell. “The ship offers a wide variety of accommodation for virtually any emergency situation, the RRS Shackleton at diverse price points, as well as a huge choice of dining provided ice breaking capabilities, two helicopters for venues, 16 in total, ranging from casual cafes, ice-cream special adventures and additional expert expedition crew. and dessert bars and extravagant buffet restaurants to The rugged journey was somewhat of a departure from unique specialty dining experiences – including quality Crystal’s luxury ocean cruises, as adventures ashore were steakhouses, Brazilian barbecue, sushi and sake, teppanyaki, centered on the remote and sparse terrain of the region. and fine dining Italian and French venues – all quite easy to “Wet” zodiac landings, icy hikes, and intrepid treks were find and book using the ship’s interactive digital wayfinding enhanced by the extensive knowledge of the local Inuit signage. Norwegian Jewel’s on board entertainment is also guides and the onboard expedition teams. Community incredible, with the ship’s purpose built Stardust Theatre visits in Canada’s Northwest Territories offered invaluable presenting incredible music, magic and cirque-acrobatic connections and insights into the local cultures. In shows – with additional shows, including Australian Ballroom Ulukhaktok, a troop of young local dancers boarded the Spectacular, Burn the Floor soon to be added,” added Mr ship to perform their traditional interpretive dances, fully Odell. outfitted in handmade costume. Travellers reflected on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Nicole Costantin said: “One of my the history of the fateful Franklin Expedition during a visit to favourite elements of Norwegian Jewel, which I expect will Beechey Island, while a call to Pond Inlet brought Captain be incredibly popular among local cruisers, is The Haven – Vorland and the town’s mayor together for a mutual an exclusive enclave that in essence is a luxury ship within exchange of gifts of appreciation. a premium-contemporary vessel, complete with luxuriously Following the astounding response and enthusiasm about appointed accommodation, private pool and sundeck, the 2016 sailing, Crystal has announced a second Northwest dedicated dining area and concierge, as well as 24-hour Passage route in 2017. butler service.” The Haven’s expansive accommodation options range from Courtyard Penthouses with private balconies and courtyards, through to Three Bedroom Villas which accommodate up to eight people and include a private garden with hot tub. Discussing the upcoming marketing push, Ms Costantin said, “October marks an exciting month for us, with our first major marketing and sales push for Norwegian Jewel coinciding with Norwegian Cruise Line’s 50th anniversary, celebrating the line’s long-standing reputation as a leader in innovative cruising with one of the youngest fleets at sea.”

Alaska Welcomes Its 1,000,000 Cruise Ship Visitor in 2016 For the first time in seven years, Alaska welcomed its one millionth cruise ship visitor. Alaska Governor Walker issued a proclamation for the occasion, declaring 22 September 2016, Alaska Cruise Ship Visitor Day. The industry is expected to bring even more visitors next year as Alaska continues to increase capacity. Holland America Line recently announced that it would be adding a seventh ship to the Alaska market next year. Seabourn has also announced that it will be returning to Alaska in 2017 for the first time in 15 years. The last time Alaska saw more than 1,000,000 cruise visitors was 2009. “Following years of amazing growth, Alaska took a big hit, we lost about 15 percent of our market as many businesses suffered and statewide, Alaska lost more than 5,000 jobs. We are now seeing the benefits of the improved tax and regulatory environment enacted in 2010,” CLIA Alaska President John Binkley said.

16 October 2016 Sydney Adelaide Sydney • Kangaroo • • Island • Geelong Eden• Burnie • Tasman Sea Great • Australian Bight Tasman Sea •Hobart Burnie•

Sydney Sydney Sydney • Sydney• Bay of Islands • • Bay of Islands Bay of Islands Melbourne Bay of Islands Geelong Melbourne • Melbourne • •Eden • •Eden • Auckland Auckland Auckland • • Tasman Sea Auckland • • • • Tauranga • • Tauranga Tauranga Tasman Sea • Tauranga Tasman Sea • Tasman Sea • Napier • Gisborne • Napier • Napier• • • • •Burnie Wellington • Burnie Wellington Burnie Wellington • Burnie Wellington• • • Hobart• Princess Cruises Unveils Majestic Princess Design and Key Features Princess Cruises has unveiled the design and key features of Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in its global fleet. Majestic Princess will offer its guests a variety of enticing features and experiences, including two new specialty restaurants – Harmony, created in partnership with Chef Richard Chen formerly of Wynn Las Vegas “Wing Lei” (the first Chinese restaurant in North America awarded a Michelin star) this restaurant will feature haute Chinese cuisine, serving Chef Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes and Le Bistrot, located in the lively atrium, will offer casual French home-style dining with a modern twist. Reminiscent of a Parisian bistro, guests will enjoy traditional Jan Swartz & Stuart Allison escargot casseroles, braised ox tongue – Influenced by fashion, art and history, Under the Stars on the largest outdoor and mushroom ragout, along with the interior designs of Majestic Princess screen at sea, as well as Water baguettes, tarts and pastries. present a sophisticated and stylish Colour Fantasy, a cruise industry first Popular culinary offerings from sister visual experience, representative of presenting a dazzling water and light ships Royal Princess and Regal Princess travelling the world. Exquisite designs show at sea. will also be aboard Majestic Princess use metal, glass and inlaid wood Onboard Experience – Majestic including: the exclusive Chef’s Table throughout to welcome guests. Princess’ guests will also experience Lumiere, a unique and engaging European marble, mosaic tile floors, dining experience personally hosted polished woods and sumptuous the signature SeaWalk, the industry’s by Princess’ Executive Chef which fabrics are featured onboard the ship first glass floor walkway at sea, includes a private galley tour and a alongside plush custom-designed and SeaView Bar featuring “flair” multi-course dinner served at a grand carpets and hand tufted rugs. bartending with spectacular ocean views. The Piazza Atrium, the central custom-designed table where guests Modern and Stylish Stateroom Design focal point of the ship features live are surrounded by a glimmering – More than 80 per cent of Majestic curtain of light; the award-winning Princess staterooms include a private entertainment throughout the day Crown Grill & Bar, an American balcony. All staterooms feature the and evening. The atrium is surrounded steakhouse preparing top quality cuts new Princess Luxury bed, featuring a by The Shops of Princess, nearly 1100 of beef, chops and seafood in an custom-made mattress developed by square metres of luxury boutiques open kitchen served in a classically Dr Michael Breus, the US sleep expert which include designer shops from elegant restaurant setting and known as “The Sleep Doctor” and Cartier, Bulgari and Chopard, leather Alfredo’s, named after Princess Cruises’ luxury linens designed by Canadian goods from Burberry and Gucci, along award-winning Master Chef Alfredo design star Candice Olson. The superb with watches by these luxury brands Marzi, offering a selection of classic bedding system is exclusively designed as well as Montblanc, Longines, Rado Italian and signature Neapolitan-style for the Princess SLEEP program. and Tissot. pizzas (voted “Best Pizza at Sea”), World Class Entertainment – The first along with baked pasta dishes and Majestic Princess will sail on her two shows to be seen on Majestic specialty appetisers and desserts. inaugural voyage on 4 April next year, Princess will be “Fiera” and “Fantastic a five-day Adriatic Sea cruise roundtrip To top it off, there will also be a wide Journey” which have both been from Rome with stops in Kotor and selection of all-day gastronomy in met with enthusiastic acclaim by Corfu. Following her maiden cruise, the World Fresh Marketplace, where international audiences across the guests can taste flavours from diverse Majestic Princess will tour Europe on Princess fleet. These musical shows 7, 14, 21 and 28 day cruises departing food stations around the world ranging feature a world class cast of singers from Rome, Barcelona or Athens. from Mediterranean dishes to colourful and dancers along with some of the A repositioning voyage will depart farmer’s market salads and a new most elaborate production numbers, Barcelona on 14 May 2017, visiting “East Meets West” street food specialty costumes and advanced multimedia counter. stage technology ever produced Dubai and Singapore before arriving Modern and Stylish Cruise Ship Design at sea. The ship also features Movies in Shanghai, the ship’s new home. Majestic Princess will begin its first cruise from its homeport in Shanghai on 11 July 2017 carrying 3560 guests to a variety of destinations in Japan and Korea. “With the debut of Majestic Princess, first in Europe and then in China, we invite guests to indulge in a world class experience that allows them to completely relax, unwind and ultimately ‘come back new’,” Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said.

18 October 2016 ALL EXCLUSIVE DEEPEN YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE.

RabaulRound-trip Sydney Kiriwina21 Days | 20 Jan - 10Guadalcanal Feb 2017 INTRODUCING THE NEW Cruise-Only Fares from US$7,645* (Cat E2) CRYSTAL CRUISES, WHERE AlotauPer Person Double Occupancy*Champagne Bay Great Port VilaALL INCLUSIVE IS ALL EXCLUSIVE. Barrier JoinYasawa-I-Rara us aboard the illustrious Crystal Symphony® in Rabaul Rabaul Reef Lautoka Kiriwina HamiltonKiriwina Guadalcanal Sydney on 20 January 2017 and discover how the Alotau GuadalcanalChampagne Bay Alotau GreatChampagne Bay Island Great Port VilaPort VilaMaré IslandWorld’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™ has BarrierBarrier Yasawa-I-RaraYasawa-I-Rara Reef Reef LautokaLautoka taken ocean travel to entirely new levels. These high HamiltonHamilton Island Island Maré IslandMaré Island standards of perfection given discerning travellers all Pacific FOR A BROCHURE AND FURTHER INFORMATION the reasons they need to set sail for the world’s most CONTACT YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL OR Sydney PacificPacific Ocean Sydney Ocean Sydney Tasman Ocean spectacular destinations. Remaining the World’s TasmanTasman 1800 251 174 (AU) or 0800 446 376 (NZ) Sea SeaSea Best requires nothing less than this continued WILTRANS [email protected] • www.wiltrans.com.au GENERAL SALES AGENT FOR CRYSTAL CRUISES commitment. Welcome to the new Crystal®, where **Cruise only fares quoted in US dollars per person double occupancy. All Inclusive is All Exclusive. Accommodation subject to space at time of booking. Cruise fares are reviewed 31 October 2016. Terms and conditions apply. Issue date: 29 September 2016 Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Unveils Program of Special Events and New Destinations Cunard has announced details of Meanwhile Queen Mary 2 will continue trees on Queen Mary 2, collaborating its 2018 Europe program, featuring a to offer the only regular Transatlantic with Ancestry.com, the largest online series of special event cruises and an crossing in the world with 22 crossings family history resource in the world for impressive 20 maiden calls for its three scheduled in 2018, and the opportunity the trip of a lifetime across the Atlantic; iconic Queens. Between them, Queen for a double crossing sailing roundtrip A Photographic Journey to the Land Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen from Southampton on select voyages. of the Midnight Sun: Passengers Victoria will offer 39 roundtrip cruises Cunard’s program of special event on Queen Elizabeth’s Norwegian from Southampton from March until cruises and onboard activities includes Voyage will learn professional tips December 2018, including sailings to high profile speakers, and has been from esteemed photography experts the Mediterranean, Atlantic Islands themed around guests’ interests to and take a special trip to the Arctic and Europe. The new program includes add a special dimension to each Circle to photograph the stunning 20 maiden calls to destinations around voyage, while a wide spectrum of phenomena of the “midnight sun” and the world, with visits to exotic ports entertainment has been curated to suit the Big Band Ball – Queen Elizabeth will like Havar in Croatia, La Rochelle in every taste. play host to a spectacular celebration France, Bodo in Norway and Puerto del The 2018 special event program of music and dance, with a 13-piece Rosario in Spain among the program includes: Transatlantic Fashion Week: Big Band Orchestra delighting guests highlights. Cunard is also returning to Passengers will be treated to the with music from Glen Miller to Duke 10 past popular destinations including glamour of fashion shows onboard Ellington. Helsinki in Finland, Alghero in Sardinia Queen Mary 2 while being treated to The 2018 program also includes five and Gdynia in Poland. inspirational talks with some of fashion’s Christmas Market voyages and a Providing Australian guests with even most reputable names including special five-night New Year Voyage easier access to ‘the best of the Med’, British fashion writer Colin McDowell calling in Amsterdam on 31 December. Cunard will offer fly-cruise Queen MBE; Voyage du Vin: Wine-tasting Cunard Director Angus Struthers said Victoria itineraries to the Western onboard Queen Victoria introduces the 2018 main program offered an and Central Mediterranean regions passengers to some of Europe’s finest incredible richness and variety with between September and November wine and port destinations, along itineraries and events that appeal 2018. This program allows passengers with onboard talks from experts and to all. “Whether it’s a two-night short the flexibility to join voyages lasting excursions around the Atlantic Coast; break or a 24-night voyage the between seven and 21 nights and to A Journey of Genealogy: For the first Queens of Cunard offer every single disembark at captivating historic cities time Cunard will offer the opportunity passenger luxury on a grand scale,” Mr such as Rome, Venice or Barcelona. for passengers to trace their family Struthers said.

Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria

20 October 2016 EXPERIENCE SPANISH HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES

NO KIDS | NO CASINOS ALL VERANDA STATEROOMS MORE TIME IN PORT SMALL SHIP CRUISING

PASSAGE THROUGH WESTERN EUROPE 15 days Ocean Cruise 16 April 2017 Barcelona – Bergen on Viking Sea FROM $8,949pp

MADRID PRE-EXTENSION 2 NIGHTS FROM $949pp

VIKINGCRUISES.COM.AU | 1800 845 464

All prices shown above are in Australian Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, are subject to availability. Must book by 31 October 2016. Prices are correct at the time of printing. Conditions apply. For more information visit vikingcruises.com.au/oceans ABN 81 131 274 372.

Ad_CruisingNews_20160929_A4.indd 1 30/09/2016 9:52 AM Holland America Line Launches Partnership with America’s Test Kitchen

that spans not only recipes but also the science of the cooking process. Its mission is to determine the best methods, ingredients and cooking tools — and now these discoveries will be shared with our guests,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We provide our guests with tremendously immersive and authentic experiences to enrich their travel, and America’s Test Kitchen’s commitment to delivering a quality culinary experience with a focus on learning is a perfect match.” The planned 45-minute demo courses will feature a mix of video content, live instruction, taste tests and recipe Holland America Line turns its culinary the shipboard shows will be hosted by samples. Some of the courses in programming up a notch with the Holland America Line chefs, trained by development include Asian Dumplings, introduction of dynamic shipboard America’s Test Kitchen culinary experts. Salad for Two, We Love Chocolate, cooking shows produced in partnership Shipboard cooking demonstrations Everything Salmon, Getting to Know with the long-running public television and hands-on workshops — with topics Chiles, Flavours of the Mediterranean, show America’s Test Kitchen, the most ranging from shaping Asian dumplings Meatless Monday Meals and New popular how-to-cook show on North to making the perfect pie crust — Italian Favourites. Also planned are American TV. Holland America Line is will combine foolproof, accessible 90-minute workshops that focus on a sponsor of America’s Test Kitchen on recipes and cooking techniques that teaching a specific skill set. Proposed public television, and is proud to make are rooted in the rigorous testing and workshops include Perfect Pies and this experience possible at sea. science-based approach of America’s Handmade Pasta. Test Kitchen. Holland America Line’s shipboard America’s Test Kitchen demo courses Culinary Arts Centre will be In addition, Holland America Line and workshops will begin aboard ms transformed to replicate the television guests will experience 24-hour access Westerdam 18 October for the ship’s set where the prominent America’s to episodes of America’s Test Kitchen Mexico season and on ms Nieuw Test Kitchen TV shows are recorded and Cook’s Country television Amsterdam 13 November for the for broadcast by more than 350 programs in their staterooms. Caribbean season. The program is public television stations. Designed “America’s Test Kitchen will bring a expected to roll out fleetwide by June specifically for Holland America Line, new take on cooking classes at sea 2017.

22 October 2016 Complimentary Inside to Balcony DISCOVER SOMEWHERE NEW upgrade^ Europe 2017 cruises

Watch mythical landscapes come into view from your balcony, marvel at the midnight sun and explore intriguing town with roots in Viking times on our Baltic, Norway and Iceland cruises. Discover the glamour of the Riviera, enchanting Venice and the treasures of the Mediterranean or combine both on cruises departing from Southampton. We’ve hand-picked a selection of Europe cruises where you will receive a complimentary upgrade^.

Southampton - Helsinki - St Petersburg - Southampton - Stavanger - Flaam - Southampton - Palma - Marseille - Tallinn - Stockholm - Copenhagen - Oslo - Cruise in Aurlandsfjord- Cruise in Sognefjord - Florence/Pisa (tours from La Spezia) - Cruise in Oslofjord - Bruges (tours from Olden - Cruise in Innvikfjorden- Ajaccio - Gibraltar - Southampton Zeebrugge) - Southampton Cruise in Nordfjord - Bergen - Southampton

Fares pp twin share from* Fares pp twin share from* Fares pp twin share from*

Inside (OA) Balcony (HF) Mini-Suite (BS) Inside (OA) Balcony (HF) Mini-Suite (BS) Inside (OB) Balcony (HF) Mini-Suite (BE) $2,479 $2,479 $5,359 $1,269 $1,269 $2,729 $1,779 $1,779 $3,279

Limited offer. Book by 30 November 2016. More cruises available. VISIT POCRUISES.COM | CALL 13 24 28 | CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT

ship usually berthed alongside, but there is a possibility we may be required to land passengers by tender.

Fares are cruise only, per person, in AUD, in complete twin cabins as specified, based on lead categories (unless stated otherwise), inclusive of all discounts, taxes and charges (which are subject to change). Some Balcony cabins may have an obstructed view. Valid for new bookings only. Campaign commences 3 October 2016 at 9:00am AEDT and ends 30 November 2016 at 23:59pm AEDT, but may end earlier if sold out. ^Cabin upgrade offer is available on selected voyages, based on the upgrade cost between the top Inside to lead Balcony twin cabin where applicable. Upgrades at the fares shown are subject to availability of cabin in the lead cabin grade. Supplements apply for other cabin categories, please contact P&O Cruises World Cruising for details. Subject to limited availability. Conditions apply. Airfares, hotels and transfers additional, unless otherwise stated. A limited number of cabins have been set aside at these special fares, once sold fares may revert to a higher fare. Fares may be withdrawn or varied, P&O Cruises World Cruising reserves the right to do so at any time. A 1.1% surcharge applies to Visa and Mastercard payments and a 2.3% surcharge applies to Amex for direct bookings made via our call centre and website. To be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions contained in the latest P&O Cruises World Cruising brochures which passengers will be bound by. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. Please check with P&O Cruises World Cruising at the time of booking. Carnival plc trading as P&O Cruises. ABN 23 107 998 443. Dream Cruises Introduces ‘Bistro’ by Mark Best and flavours. Bistro’s menu will focus on small producer-sourced Australian beef, lamb, river fish and the freshest seafood. Chef Best is universally recognised for his critically-acclaimed Sydney- based restaurant ‘Marque’, followed by further success with Pei Modern in A new generation Melbourne and Sydney. His cooking of ships for PONANT is world-renowned and he is among a distinguished few to achieve Four new yachts will soon be added 19/20 in the Good Food Guide, to the Ponant fleet. Le Lapérouse, an independent, anonymous and Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le unbiased annual restaurant guide Kerguelen: the names of the 4 ships published by the Sydney Morning in the PONANT EXPLORERS series pay Herald. tribute to great French explorers who set sail to discover new continents. The first “I am very excited to be introducing two will arrive in time for the northern my very first restaurant at sea, onboard Summer 2018 season and the other two Genting Dream,” he explained. “Bistro’s for the northern Summer 2019. menu is brimming with the very best Internationally-acclaimed Australian Combining great design, cutting-edge of Australian produce with a cultural chef Mark Best brings culinary artistry technology, a small capacity and mix of Asian flavours, inspired by my to the table for discerning diners of respect for frequent culinary travels across South Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream, with the environment, these new ships will the announcement of his very first East Asia, China, Japan and Korea and the cultural diversity of Sydney, my enable Ponant to offer an ever-wider restaurant at sea. Genting Dream is the range of inaugural cruise ship of Dream Cruises, home town. My philosophy is to cook destinations. Flying the French flag, the first-ever Asian luxury cruise line. simply, to really bring out the flavours they are equipped with state-of-the- With menus featuring contemporary of the ingredients and then delight art technology and have Ice Class 1C Western cuisine, ‘Bistro’ promises the palate with a creative Asian twist. certification. These four new yachts Dream Cruises guests an inspired For example, some favourite dishes will comply with the International dining experience from a chef who has are small potatoes gently poached “CLEANSHIP” label (from Bureau garnered international recognition for in butter with seaweed; the best Veritas) for innovative green equipment an uncompromising approach that has Australian lamb served with potato including: A dynamic positioning system propelled him to the forefront of the and kimchi; and Murray cod cooked culinary world. in green grape juice. It is my aim at to avoid dropping anchor, thereby ‘Bistro’ to revolutionise ocean going protecting the sea bed; Silent and Dream Cruises President Mr. Thatcher dining with a dining experience rivalling fuel-efficient electronic propulsion; Brown said: “We are delighted that any land based experience.” FarSounder sonar providing 3D vision Mark has brought his truly unique flair The 219-seat ‘Bistro’ restaurant, which of the sea bed at different depths; to the dining experience onboard Diesel engines that can run on lighter, Genting Dream. ‘Bistro’ will offer guests includes a 54-seat ‘Grill’ outdoor seating area and a select 8-seat less-polluting MDO (Marine Diesel Oil); an unprecedented at sea dining Wastewater and sewage treatment concept. Mark will also contribute to ‘Chef’s Table’ in a private room, will serve a selection of Chef Best’s inspired systems on board and low-energy bulbs our culinary enrichment programme for lighting. onboard to broaden our guests’ Western dishes, together with the finest The PONANT EXPLORERS will measure knowledge and inspire their creativity.” selection of wines. Guests will enjoy the 131 meters in length, will have 92 cabins Genting Dream guests will enjoy quality opportunity to sample delectable wine and suites only, and will be manned by dining as part of a totally unique, pairing menus, a widely-acclaimed 110 crew members. alfresco restaurant experience. A signature feature of Chef Best’s restaurants. recognised champion and advocate Oriana’s Refit of the highest-quality Australian, ‘Bistro’ is a stunning addition to an farm-grown and reared produce, eclectic array of over 35 restaurants Oriana will be going into refit in Chef Best promises an amalgam of and bar concepts to be enjoyed on Hamburg on 25 November, after she Western and Asian-inspired ingredients Genting Dream. returns from her USA & Caribbean cruise. Oriana has won many admirers Sun, Sand, Sea and Souks over the years and clocked up countless nautical miles. With her teak Celebrity Cruises is offering sailings out of Abu Dhabi for the first time ever this promenade and lido decks, tiered year, giving travellers the chance to blend modern luxury with timeless tradition stern and wonderful classic features, on a range of cruises onboard Celebrity Constellation. The premium cruise ship Oriana is the very definition of cruising that boasts sophisticated cuisine, elegant accommodation and a luxury spa elegance and tradition. The refit club, will make the Emirate’s newest cruise terminal her home from November program will encompass updates to 2016 to January 2017, offering cruises that range from 9 to 14 nights and calling the cabins, suites, entertainment areas, at the exotic ports of the United Arab Emirates and India, around the Persian Gulf restaurants, bars and public areas. and Arabian Sea. The opulence of the modern cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai Guests can look forward to enjoying are contrasted with the ancient traditions of Muscat, Mumbai, Goa, Cochin and new luxurious materials, soft furnishings New Mangalore, cities that pulse with age-old culture and fascinating history. and carpets, upgrades to furniture, The cruises feature a range of incredible shore excursions, like camel-riding in Abu improved lighting, rich colour schemes Dhabi’s sprawling desert sands, a visit to Dubai’s spice and gold souks and a day and the ultimate in comfort and of indulgence on one of Goa’s famed, golden-sand beaches. relaxation.

24 October 2016 ARANUI 5 Discover the Marquesas Island aboard a fascinating 13 night voyage with the working freighter, Aranui 5 the lifeline to this isolated area. With just 254 passengers, enjoy personalised service, quality cuisine and included shore excursions, then watch the crew in 5 action delivering essential supplies. WIND SPIRIT Savour the romance of sailing in five star luxury with Wind Spirit’s 7 night cruise through the Society Islands, including Bora Bora. Wto exploreays Visiting deserted motus and enjoying intimate and gracious service, this is what sailing the South Pacific is all about.

PAUL GAUGUIN by sea Enjoy decadent luxury aboard the MS Paul Gauguin, designed Tahiti specifically to sail these shallow waters. Discover the magic of the Society Islands, bask on a private white-sand beach and relish Discover the beauty of Tahiti exceptional five star service from start to finish. You’ll never want and her islands with five idyllic to go home! cruising options. Whether you enjoy the romance of sailing in five DREAM YACHT star luxury, small ship cruising, Explore beautiful Tahiti aboard the deck of the 12 passenger Dream a catamaran with just four other Yacht Catamaran. With guaranteed departures on all 7 night Bora Bora couples or an adventure by Dream itineraries, simply book your cabin then delight in this freighter, Ultimate Cruising has marvellously personalised way to see Tahiti. Enjoy perfect day after packages to suit your preferred perfect day! cruising style. Packages include airfares, accommodation and ISLAND ESCAPE cruise as well as luxury limousine With just 24 passengers, the elegant Island Passage is purpose transfers from your home to your built to explore gorgeous coves and islands the larger ships cannot relevant international airport. access. Enjoy gourmet cuisine, impeccable service, exceptional If you’re travelling alone, ask us comfort and frequent daily guided excursions throughout your about our solo traveller options. all-inclusive, hand-crafted itinerary.

THE SMALL SHIP SPECIALISTS 1300 4 ULTIMATE (1300 485 846) www.ultimatecruising.com.au First Calls by Carnival Spirit fun and fully engaged experience onboard. Guests on the cruise will have the chance to join Carnival’s new Academy of Fun knowledge- building sessions, and discover more about each destination with local entertainment classes featuring music and dancing. The 1980’s themed Throwback Sea Days will provide the perfect excuse to channel Madonna on the dance floor and enjoy a midnight buffet, and there’ll also be time to get to know the ship’s crew with special Q&A sessions, ship tours and even a crew talent show. Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Jennifer Vandekreeke said Carnival Spirit’s Singapore cruise would open Carnival Cruise Line has announced calls to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam up a world of opportunities for holidaymakers, enabling them to a special voyage to Singapore for for an overnight stay, and beautiful discover exotic destinations in Asia Carnival Spirit, giving Australian Ko Samui in Thailand. Carnival Spirit while having more fun than ever holidaymakers a rare chance to will reach the South East Asia hub of onboard the popular superliner. enjoy an adventure through Asia Singapore on 22 May. combined with the fun of a Carnival Carnival Spirit will enter dry dock when cruise. Carnival Spirit’s 19-night cruise The Singapore voyage will feature the she reaches Singapore in May 2018. sails from Sydney on 3 May 2018 and cruise line’s new Carnival Journeys She will then sail on a series of voyages will include five ports, including Airlie enrichment program, designed to offer around Asia from Shanghai during the Beach and Darwin in Australia, Bali in guests a deeper, richer connection local summer season before returning Indonesia, as well as the ship’s maiden with destinations visited as well as a home to Australia in late 2018.

Cairns’ First Cruise Season P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden has made history, becoming the first cruise ship ever to be based in Cairns. The 1500-guest ship, set sail on her first roundtrip cruise from the city on Saturday 10 September, will call Cairns home until 11 November, carrying an estimated 13,000 holidaymakers on nine cruises from the city, including to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The inaugural season is expected to deliver more than $6 million to the State’s economy to now offer five ships cruising year- any other state in Australia, with P&O in passenger and crew spending, round from eight homeports. In a move provedoring and associated port ships now sailing to 11 destinations which is testament to the growing charges. along its coast. In addition to popularity of cruising in Queensland, launching Cairns as a new homeport, With an estimated 40 per cent of it is the only State with two cruise the cruise line has opened up a range guests travelling from interstate to join homeports. of new Queensland ports in recent the Cairns’ cruises, the two-month “We’ve had our eye on Cairns for years including Gladstone and Fraser cruise season will provide a boost to many years and are thrilled to have Island earlier this year. local accommodation and travel the capacity to be able to base one “The city’s far north location lends itself operators, restaurants and cafes. of our latest ships in the city for the next to a range of idyllic itineraries featuring According to industry figures, domestic two months. We have always seen Papua New Guinea and the Solomon cruisers spend an average $483 a day Cairns as a cruising hot spot with great Islands, and being one of Australia’s on accommodation, shopping, dining potential and Pacific Eden’s mid-range most popular tropical destinations, and transport before boarding a ship in size means she can berth at the cruise an Australian port. terminal right in the heart of the city Cairns is also a fantastic draw card on Speaking in Cairns P&O Cruises Vice providing a fantastic cruise experience its own,” Mr Cheng said. President Sales and Marketing Simon for our guests,” Mr Cheng said. Pacific Eden’s 2016 Cairns season will Cheng said Pacific Eden’s deployment According to industry figures, feature eight roundtrip cruises and also supported Queensland suppliers Queensland is the second biggest one repositioning cruise. The ship will who contribute large quantities of source market for Australian cruisers become a familiar sight in the far north produce to the cruise line. Since with more than 280,000 Queenslanders with an even bigger encore season in launching in 1932, P&O, Australia’s only cruising in 2015. Queensland is also 2017, featuring 10 cruises from Cairns homegrown cruise line, has expanded home to more cruise destinations than from August to November.

26 October 2016 GRAB A NOW ACCEPTING CELEBRATING

16 CRUISE HOLIDAY SPECIALISTS

Early Booking Bonus Offer: Book a lead-in Balcony stateroom on board Queen Mary 2 for the price of an Oceanview stateroom! Offer expires 30 Nov 16 unless sold out prior South African

SojournCruise Tour 29 night African Safari Cruise Tour including 3-night Dubai stopover and 16-night cruise on board Queen Mary 2

Join us in January 2018 for a not-to-be-missed 29-night African Sojourn combining the best of South Africa and Queen Mary 2. Our Sojourn commences in Dubai with a three-night stay at the five-star Raffles Hotel as well as two nights at the Four Seasons The Westcliff in Johannesburg, five-night exclusive use at &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp and three nights at The Westin in Cape Town.

Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird Offer valid until 30 Nov DUBAI 2016. Book a Balcony stateroom on board Queen Mary 2 for the price of an Oceanview stateroom (subject to availability).

KIRKMAN’S MAURITIUS KAMP

JOHANNESBURG REUNION

SYDNEY CAPE TOWN PORT ELIZABETH Some of the Inclusions • One-way flight from Sydney to Johannesburg • Domestic flights Johannesburg to Skukuza & Skukuza to Cape Town • 16 night cruise on board Queen Mary 2 • 3 night stopover at Raffles, Dubai with daily breakfast • Half-day Dubai guided sightseeing tour • Dubai Seawings Tour • Half-day desert safari with BBQ dinner • 2 nights at Four Seasons The Westcliff, Johannesburg with daily breakfast • Group dinner in Johannesburg • 5 night exclusive use of &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa: Inclusive of pre-paid gratuities, all meals and beverages incl. soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits/beers, teas and coffees • Complimentary laundry service at Kirkman’s Kamp • Twice daily game drives in open 4WD safari vehicles including refreshments • 3 nights at the Westin Cape Town • Full-day Winelands Tour including wine tasting • Lunch at Grande Provence in the Franschhoek Valley • Half-day Table Mountain Tour For details and more packages call 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel/sojourn

*Terms and Conditions: Fares are per person, in AUD, double occupancy (in lead-in categories unless stated otherwise) and inclusive of all discounts, taxes and charges (subject to change). A 1% surcharge applies for payments made using credit card. Whilst information is correct at time of printing (04/10/16), offers are subject to change or withdrawal. ^Balcony upgrade is based on reserving a Balcony (DF) for the price of an Oceanview (EF), where applicable. Onboard spending money listed is in US$ per stateroom and applies to the first two guests sharing a cabin, is non-transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash or be used at the medical centre or casino. A limited number of cabins have been set aside at these special fares, once sold fares may revert to a higher fare. Offer is valid for new bookings only, not combinable with any other offer. Offer commences 04/10/16 and ends 30/11/16, unless sold out prior. Some Oceanview staterooms may have an obstructed view. Fares may be withdrawn or varied, Cunard reserves the right to do so at any time. To be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions contained in the latest Cunard brochures which passengers will be bound by. Please check with ecruising.travel at the time of booking. Multi-User Cruise Terminal for Newcastle The New South Wales Government has P&O Cruises purchases large quantities committed $12.7 million to the port of Hunter region wine for use on the operators, Port of Newcastle and the line’s five ship fleet with nearly 100,000 Port Authority of NSW, for a permanent bottles each year across a variety of multi-purpose cruise terminal facility at iconic labels and wine types. the Port of Newcastle. A permanent Below – P&O Cruises President Sture terminal will strengthen Newcastle as an international cruise destination and Myrmell, Port of Newcastle CEO Geoff position Newcastle with the capability Crowe and NSW Premier Mike Baird to conduct turnarounds. For the second time Hapag-Lloyd It will be built at the Channel Berth Cruises’ Hanseatic navigates the within the Port’s Carrington Precinct, Northeast Passage located less than 10 minutes’ drive to the city centre and beaches. The In the early morning of 7 September terminal will be designed to meet 2016, expedition ship MV Hanseatic, one of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ two current and future cruise industry expedition vessels, once again requirements, including current navigated successfully the Northeast berthing capacity for cruise ships up Passage. In 2014, the Hanseatic was the to 320 metres in length. The funding first non-Russian cruise ship to navigate will enable the construction of a cruise this legendary sea route. After sailing terminal, car park and improved wharf a total of 5,542 nautical miles, the ship accessibility for ship provisioning. The arrived in Nome on 10 September announcement builds on an earlier officially ending its cruise. The Hanseatic State and Federal Government expedition voyage departed from commitment (June 2016) of $800,000 Tromso/Norway on 16 August 2016. The for the upgrade of mooring bollards at first port of call was Murmansk/Russia, the Channel Berth, which will enable where the adventure of the Northeast the port to host larger, heavier ships Passage started officially. After cruising carrying up to 3,500 passengers. through the Barents Sea/Arctic Ocean, The mooring bollards upgrade will Hanseatic stopped at anchor in commence later this year and is Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land, due to be completed in mid 2017. before the ship went on through the Concurrently, the terminal will enter the Kara Sea to Severnaya Zemlya. Other detailed design phase. Construction stops at anchor took place off Siberia, of the terminal is due to commence Wrangel Island and Chukchi Island. in mid 2017 and will be completed in The Northeast Passage officially ended 2018. when the ship rounded Cape Dezhnev. Carnival Australia has welcomed the The cruise was fully booked. The crew NSW Government’s announcement. organized 20 landings and tours with the 14 on-board Zodiacs and Speaking in Newcastle, Sture Myrmell, rubber boats, which are well suited to President of P&O Cruises, said the expeditions. During spectacular wildlife announcement was good news for observations, guests saw walruses and the people of Newcastle. “It reinforces polar bears. On one island, 16 polar the great reputation the people of bears at the same time were seen, Newcastle have earned over the years some even mothers with their babies. In for the warmth of their welcome for total 86 polar bears were counted from the thousands of cruise visitors to the the bridge region,” Mr Myrmell said.

Aranui Announces 2018 Earlybird Deals With 2016 full, and 2017 almost at year. capacity, Aranui Cruises has released Aranui’s Regional Representative earlybird deals for Aranui 5’s first Australia New Zealand Laurent Wong sailings in 2018. The company has just said in addition to offering all the announced its first three departures mod cons of a new freighter, Aranui of 2018 which have been discounted 5’s cruise fare included a couple of by 10 per cent, with fares from $5750* thousand dollars’ worth of added per person twin share in a standard value such as shore excursions through stateroom. The discount is available the 17 scheduled ports of call, a twice across all accommodation categories weekly laundry service, all main meals across three striking and distinct and offered until 31 December 2016. and a complimentary glass of wine French Polynesian archipelagoes – the The new 125-metre long mixed cargo with onboard lunches and dinners. Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society and passenger vessel has proved so “Aranui 5 presents an incredibly great popular in its first season that the cruise value way to experience Tahiti, while Islands – showing off some of the most line has added two additional sailings also offering an authentic seafaring naturally beautiful and untouched to its 2017 schedule, with the full 2018 adventure. The cruise line’s 14-day islands in the world, all with the comfort program to be released later in the itineraries take guests to nine islands and ease of cruising,” Mr Wong said.

28 October 2016 SPECIAL REPORT

Proud Australian Company Celebrating a Successful 10 Years at the Brisbane Terminal

Nationwide Service Group Pty Ltd has and Security Operators in many premier 10th year providing port side services been proudly providing for more than shipping terminals around Australia. to the Brisbane Terminal. It has been 28 years Ports & Maritime Services Nationwide provides a comprehensive an honour to grow our Queensland across the country. They have grown Port facility management service for operations alongside that of the ever in stature and are now considered one expanding Brisbane Terminal, and to corporate and government clients, this of Australia’s premier Maritime and be part of their never ending mission to encompasses the supply of Stevedoring Security service providers. This is due provide better customer experiences Services, Maritime Security Guards to their dedicated staff, all of whom for the people of Brisbane. Nationwide (M.S.G) and all Ground staff services boast decades of industry knowledge have also been privileged to bear and experience. In this time they have required for safe and friendly terminal witness to the growth of Brisbane as built close working relationships with key operations necessary for the ever a Cruise destination, sought after by industry stakeholders while performing growing Cruise and Shipping industry. national and international customers the roles of preferred Ground Handling Nationwide is proud to celebrate its alike.

“Nationwide would also like to thank all of our current and previous staff who have worked with us over the 10 years at the Brisbane Terminal. Without all of your tireless efforts and continual support with an ever evolving work place, the past 10 years wouldn’t have been so enjoyable and successful a place to have worked. You are all a tribute to our company and we are proud of what you have all helped us to achieve”. Josh Berry, General Manager

Here’s to the future and success of the Brisbane Terminal and the growing Cruise Industry.

P: (02) 9456 7888 (Sydney Office) E: [email protected] W: www.nationwideservices.com.au

PORTS & MARITIME MANAGEMENT SERVICES | GROUND HANDLING MARITIME SECURITY | STEVEDORING LOGISTICS

NATIONWIDE SERVICE GROUP | Established 1982

www.cruisingnews.com 29 Media Statement from Royal Caribbean International regarding Quantum Class Dynamic Dining As Cruising News goes to press changes on Anthem of the Seas to our award- guests can change their selections pre- to their Dynamic Dining has been winning My Time Dining program, cruise via our online Cruise Planner. announced – available on our ships fleet wide and Guests on the flexible My Time Dining “Royal Caribbean International prides which offers both traditional and option will enjoy dinner on deck 4 itself on pushing the boundaries of flexible options. This will be effective within the American Icon and Silk from the 27 November sailing. In innovation and constantly creating dining rooms. Early and late seating addition, Ovation of the Seas also will amenities and experiences that guests will enjoy dining on deck 3 within shift to the My Time Dining model as of exceed the expectations of our the Chic and Grande dining rooms. guests. When we introduced Quantum the 23 November sailing. Our guests spoke, and we listened. class, we debuted the Dynamic Guests will have the option to choose We look forward to introducing the Dining concept to give guests the from the traditional option with two enhanced menus and simpler and greatest flexibility and choice across dining seating times – early or late more convenient dining program our distinctive restaurants. Since the – or the flexible option which offers onboard Anthem of the Seas and launch of Quantum class, we have guests the flexibility to select their own Ovation of the Seas and providing been reviewing guest feedback seating time and table companions guests with the high standards about Dynamic Dining. Our guests each evening. Additionally, all of our have told us that they prefer the guests will enjoy a selection of new, of quality that Royal Caribbean ease of a cruise holiday where they robust menus that will change daily International has become known for.” have flexibility without having to plan throughout the cruise. Guests also will The following review on pages 31 to 34 extensively. Based on this feedback, continue to have the option to choose was written prior to this Breaking News we are changing the dining platform from the extensive variety of specialty – Editor restaurants available onboard. American Icon Guests currently booked on Anthem Chic of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, who have already pre-selected the Dynamic Dining Classic option for their upcoming cruise, will be assigned to either early or late seating to match their original choice of time. Guests who have selected the Dynamic Dining Choice option will be assigned to the My Time Dining flexible option. We will honour any specialty restaurant reservations made previously and

The Grande

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30 October 2016 FEATURE STORY

The Choice is Yours by Kerry Treacy

Wonderland

Food Glorious Food – I have resorted I loved with its dark brooding colours white and gold diamonesque inspired to this well used phrase on a number and changing colourful screens. As the artwork. Cuisine is contemporary of occasions as I reviewed dining name suggests Asian fusion filled the with much light food and vegetarian opportunities available to passengers menu. The food was not overdone with choices. I especially enjoyed the on our many cruises. Ovation of the chilli although it was easy to increase Crab cake and Salmon strudel. Beef Seas has perfected a very workable the flavour if you so wished. The waiters carpriccio, salads, grilled Prawns, program for the four main dining have tasted the various dishes and Chops and Steak also featured. restaurants, although as we go to were able to advise very confidently American Icon – Traditional American press changes are being made – see and they were spot on. with USA coast-to-coast favourites previous page for late breaking news. The Grande – On entry the chandeliers feature. Idaho potato pancakes, When I cruised on Ovation of the Seas and high backed chairs create a Yankee Franks, New England Clam this is how it worked – on boarding a list majestic mood. Suggested dress was Chowder, Southern Buttermilk Fried of rotations and dates were supplied formal and menu expectations are Chicken, Maryland crab cakes, for the entire cruise for your main high. The Grande’s menu features American burgers etc Classic meat evening dining experience spread many items found at upscale and fish dishes are popular. Signature over four restaurants – The Grande, restaurants including Lobster bisque, desserts based on chocolate, SILK, American Icon and Chic. If you Truffle wild mushroom Risotto, Lobster peanut butter, berries and ice-cream wished to change or book at a special tail and Escargot. complete an enjoyable meal. venue for which there was a charge Chic – Another Gold Anchor service as Windjammer – A Royal Caribbean you were able to do so. are all the complimentary restaurants quotation states “Wander through We commenced at SILK whose decor on rotation. The decor is heavy on our Windjammer Marketplace, a

Chops Grille Chef’s Table

www.cruisingnews.com 31 global culinary Pavilion that invites and offers amazing panoramic 270 of condiments, sides and salads are you to explore the world, dish by dish. degree views. On offer are sandwiches available. Throw your appetite to the wind and and freshly warmed paninis, wraps, Coastal Kitchen – the “Suite explore a world of New Tastes.” This custom made salads, home-made Restaurant” is the venue exclusively area is always popular on ships. Food soups, gourmet desserts, muffins, for suite passengers and Pinnacle is displayed at various stations rather cakes, fruit and the most delicious members and is open for breakfast, than a buffet line and includes Salad bite size chocolate and peanut lunch and dinner. The cuisine is a Bar, The Grill, Sandwiches, Pizza, New butter mini muffins. Lectures and California-Mediterranean fusion York Deli, Potatoes, Seafood, Bakery, some entertainment were scheduled – healthy foods, traditional dishes Asian Sushi, Dessert and Ice-Cream. most days in the lounge area and an and vegetarian light choice, salads, The Solarium Bistro located on deck early arrival was a must if you wished flatbreads and desserts. Grilled 13 was just a short walk from our seating. Nightly Two70° transformed to Prawns, Antipasti, Chicken breast, Beef stateroom and is a real gem offering a show lounge with live entertainment tenderloin, strip Steaks, Lamb and dark light and healthy dining. Numbers grew featuring dazzling light shows. chocolate Tiramisu are a few of the day by day as word spread regarding Doghouse – Located in the SeaPlex, a much adored favourites. the food and position of this find. The two-story multi-sport and entertainment This completes the complimentary dining area flowed through to an array area, is the first food truck at sea. A choices for dining. of lounges and deck chairs surrounded varied menu of sausages and hot-dogs Michael’s Genuine Pub – Food and by healthy pot plants, a hot tub and with international flavours plus a variety drink does not have to be complicated observation wings which were open at various times for viewing depending on the position of the ship. Reservations are required for dinner. Menu listings included Yellow fin Tuna, Sashimi, Mediterranean Ratatouille, Mushroom Risotto, Sea Scallops, Salads, Pasta, Duck, Lamb and desserts all low-fat and no-sugar added. Sorrento’s – An authentic New York pizzeria experience at sea, complete with brick walls, a wood-fired oven and come hither aromas. Early rock and roll memorabilia featured on the walls as well as old record covers – it was a step back in time. Seating is both inside and out but of course it is the pizza that is craved. The menu is traditional with a daily speciality followed by dessert. Sorrento’s is one of six casual service restaurants on board. Cafe Promenade – Located next door to Sorrento’s is the Cafe Promenade, a busy quick food eatery. Menu items include mini croissant sandwiches, biscotti, cookies, pastries, muffins, Cafe – two 70 Izumi cheesecake and ice-cream. Seating is shared with Sorrento’s and is both inside and out. It is a popular venue to watch the passing parade of fellow passengers. Dispensers of tea, coffee and water feature and it is open 24 hours a day. Café @ Two70° – A lunch favourite of mine is also open for continental breakfast and snacks to 730pm. This lounge bar is at the stern of the ship

32 October 2016 Jamies

La Patissiere – That’s the philosophy at Michael’s Included in this speciality restaurant Genuine Pub, the first American (at US$39.00 per person) are bread, Gastropub at sea, brought to you by appetizer, entrée and dessert. There James Beard award-winning chef are a few fish dishes of Tuna, jumbo Michael Schwartz. Always sourcing Shrimp and Snapper plus Lamb, simple, fresh ingredients, the food Pork and Chicken options. Lobster is is standard pub fare and delicious. available for an extra charge. It is a The decor features dark wood, brass favourite place to celebrate special finishes and deep booths. Craft beers occasions. are popular including the chef’s own Chef’s Table – Located in an exclusive “Michael’s Genuine Home Brew,” plus area within Chops Grille is a private wines, cocktails and spirits. Peanut retreat for up to 16 guests to enjoy a butter Pie in a jar and banana toffee five course menu and wine tasting. A Panini has attracted a large following sommelier pairs every course with wine from the sweets selection. chosen to enhance your enjoyment of Chops Grille – For more than a decade each dish starting with a champagne the Chefs of Chops Grille have proudly toast. Cover charge is US$95.00 per presented hand cut steaks at this person. Royal Caribbean hallmark restaurant. Izumi – Izumi Japanese Cuisine is

Royal Caribbean’s signature pan- Asian speciality restaurant. Enjoy complimentary Edamame soy beans (delicious) and miso soup as you choose from an a la carte menu of sushi rolls, sashimi and other starters as well as beverages including speciality cocktails, beer and chilled sake. Starters featuring shrimp and vegetable tempura, pork Cyoza dumplings, salads, deluxe seafood citrus salad, Tofu Sesame salad, Carpaccio, Tuna Wasabi and Hamachi Ponzu Truffle, Soups and Noodles, Shrimp Wonton Soup and Spicy Misoramen Signature Rolls plus dessert, Crispy Sesame Balls and Izumi Sampler. Many guests have to book more than once. Wonderland – I think I could safely say unless you have visited Heston Blumentals’ restaurant this will be a totally new experience for you. ‘Alice’ greets you as you arrive and escorts you to your table. Your waiter (appropriately dressed) hands you a blank framed piece of paper together with water and a brush and instructions to paint a picture. Guests (including myself) commence to paint a tree, face or building etc and

www.cruisingnews.com 33 Michael’s Genuine Pub SILK

look bewildered as nothing shows. Jamie’s Italian – Jamie’s Italian seats custard tart. Items are priced from John was the only person around 132 guests and serves simple but tasty US$2.00 to $5.00. who realised the trick was to paint Italian food. This trattoria style speciality La Patisserie – is a speciality coffee bar the entire page and the menu was restaurant is owned by UK celebrity at extra charge. The menu is extensive revealed. Based on theme rather than chef Jamie Oliver and is open for lunch and includes chocolate based sweets, course, a variety of flavours, textures, (US$20.00) and dinner (US$30.00). Start bonbons, truffles, Danish pastries, temperatures and portion sizes are your meal with a Antipasti plank piled cookies, cakes, Starbucks drinks, served. The meal is split into different high with meats, pickles and cheese. coffee and teas ranging from US$1.75 elements – Sun, Ice, Fire, Water, Earth Pasta made fresh each day follows, TO US$4.75. La Patisserie is located and Dreams. Starting with Sun included plus a selection of grills, small plates of near the Pub and across from Cafe were Baby Vegetables in the Garden tasty morsels and of course dessert. Promenade and Sorrento’s. and Chilled Sweet Pea Soup; Ice Speciality Dining Packages are – Crispy Crab Cones and Oceanic And finallyRoom Service – Available available for purchase. You can dine Citrus; Fire – Buffalo Chicken Eggs and 24 hours a day with a service charge in 3 of the unique restaurants and pay Vanishing Noodles; Water – Tempura for orders between 11pm and 6am. US$80.00. Restaurants included in the Caviar and Liquid Lobster; Earth – Ordering is by phone, through the package are Jamie’s, Chops Grille and Terroir Beef and Cuban Pork Shanks interactive TV, or for breakfast by filling and Dreams – Molten Chocolate Cake Wonderland. out a menu form and hanging outside and Boston Cream Pie Maze. All the Kung Fu Noodle House – Situated next the cabin door. There is a good choice above were explained with a good to the pool area and entrance to the to satisfy. serve of humour. I will never forget this Windjammer on deck 18 is this a la Now where are you going to start? experience. This dining extravaganza carte eatery. Enticing listings include Photos – RCI, Kerry and John Treacy four piece dim sum, noodle bowls such is too huge to explain – you will have Please Note – Menu items and cover price to experience yourself. There is a cover as Taiwanese spicy beef noodles and charges may have changed since this report was charge of US$45.00 per person. desserts including sesame balls and written.

34 October 2016 The Rob Henderson Doug Cremer& Collection

It has been 30 years since the much loved ORIANA was withdrawn from service in 1986. At the time she was the largest and most famous Australian cruise ship, based in Sydney. We celebrate this unique and wonderful ship with four recently discovered historic photographs.

Oriana with her fleet mate Orcades in Auckland harbour Oriana alongside at Sydney’s Sydney Cove Passenger Terminal with her fleet mate Orsova passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind her

Oriana in her original Orient Line livery anchored in Port Said The two old giants together, Oriana passes under the Sydney on her maiden voyage to Australia in 1960 Harbour Bridge with her partner Canberra alongside at the Sydney Cove Passenger terminal

‘An Evening with Tim Rice’ Seabourn has announced an the appropriately named Seabourn 2008, his star joined the Hollywood Walk exclusive partnership with Tim Rice, Ovation, which will launch in spring of Fame. the acclaimed English musical theatre 2018. ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’ will be a lyricist of Broadway, West End and film, Tim’s much loved work has given concert-style presentation narrated winner of three Oscars, three Tonys, pleasure to millions around the world: throughout by Tim himself taking guests three Golden Globes and several Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour on a musical journey through some of Grammys. The new production, Dreamcoat; Jesus Christ Superstar and his best-known work. The production ‘An Evening with Tim Rice,’ created Evita (with Andrew Lloyd Webber); features the four Seabourn Encore exclusively for Seabourn will have its Chess (with Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Singers and includes anecdotes and debut onboard Seabourn’s newest Andersson of ABBA); Aladdin and visuals from his personal archive. ship, Seabourn Encore in January Beauty and the Beast (with Alan Audiences in the Grand Salon onboard 2017, when she sails from Singapore Menken) and The Lion King (with Elton every ship will learn how each song on her inaugural voyage. The curtain John) — to name a few. In 1994, Tim came to life as they are drawn into will then go up across the rest of the was knighted by Her Majesty Queen the mind of one of the world’s most fleet next year, culminating onboard Elizabeth II for services to music, and in respected and iconic songwriters.

www.cruisingnews.com 35 river cruising from a unique point of view

At Avalon Waterways, we’ve designed a cruise experience that’s just a bit different. Spaces are bigger. Views are more epic.

Our Panorama SuitesSM feature wall-to-wall, floor- to-ceiling Open-Air Balconies® that bring the outside in. Beds are positioned to face the river, so you can lay back and enjoy the view.

EARLYBIRD OFFERS AVAILABLE See our website for details.

Luxurious accommodation All meals onboard Regional wine & beer with lunch & dinner Sightseeing with Local Guides Exclusive Local Favourites

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK Call 1300 230 234 | Visit avalonwaterways.com.au | See your Local Travel Agent river cruising from a unique point of view

At Avalon Waterways, we’ve designed a cruise experience that’s just a bit different. Spaces are bigger. Views are more epic.

Our Panorama SuitesSM feature wall-to-wall, floor- to-ceiling Open-Air Balconies® that bring the outside in. Beds are positioned to face the river, so you can lay back and enjoy the view.

EARLYBIRD OFFERS AVAILABLE See our website for details.

Luxurious accommodation All meals onboard Regional wine & beer with lunch & dinner Sightseeing with Local Guides Exclusive Local Favourites

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK Call 1300 230 234 | Visit avalonwaterways.com.au | See your Local Travel Agent RIVER CRUISE NEWS

Avalon Waterways Offers $2000 Air Credit Avalon Waterways has announced free air credits of up to $2000* per person with its range of 2017 European river cruises. Until 31 October 2016, travellers who book any Avalon Waterways 2017 European river cruise of 15 days or more will receive a credit of $2000* per person to spend on airfares. Bookings for cruises of 7-14 days will receive an air credit of $899* per person. Popular cruises available with the deal include: Magnificent Europe – 15 days between Budapest and Amsterdam, from $7478* per person twin share with an air credit of $2000* per person; Rhine & Rhône Revealed – 16 days between the Côte d’Azur and Amsterdam, from $8784* per person twin share with an air credit of $2000* twin share with an air credit of $2000* an air credit of $899* per person. The per person; Grand France – 16 days per person and Romantic Rhine – eight offer applies to all cabin categories he mighty rivers of the United States between the Côte d’Azur, Paris and days between Amsterdam and Zurich, and is also available to solo travellers of America once served as the great Normandy, from $8451* per person from $3714* per person twin share with (regular single supplements apply). highwaysT of early exploration and inspired Expansion for the American Queen Steamboat Company dreams of discovery. Today, the American the flexibility of two riverboats sailing Queen Steamboat Company recreates the same between New Orleans and St. Paul.” sense of wonder, excitement and inspiration The American Duchess will feature a generous space ratio showcased by with all the convenience and comfort of three 550 sq. ft. Owner’s Suites, four modern luxury. 550 sq. ft. Loft Suites, a U.S. riverboat first; and spacious Veranda Suites and AMERICAN QUEEN AMERICAN EMPRESS Interior Suites. The new vessel will be ANTEBELLUM SOUTH EASTBOUND VOYAGE incorporating the highest standards The American Queen Steamboat the line, the American Duchess will of service, entertainment and shore 8 NIGHT/9 DAY VOYAGE 8 NIGHT/9 DAY VOYAGE Company is introducing a new ship offer overnight stays in port including excursions customers have come to DEPARTING 12 NOVEMBER 2017 DEPARTING 29 OCTOBER 2017 to its US – flagged fleet in June 2017. the heart of Nashville as well as shorter expect from the American Queen NEW ORLEANS TO MEMPHIS PORTLAND (VANCOUVER, WA) TO CLARKSTON American Duchess will be the third ship roundtrip itineraries from the “Music Steamboat Company. for the company joining the American City” and New Orleans. For added Featuring open seating with two dining Queen and American Empress. convenience, guests can also enjoy venues, The Grand Dining Room and INCLUDES: INCLUDES: Construction begins soon on a recently departures from Chicago (Ottawa, Il.) The Grill Room will offer regionally • 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in New Orleans including • 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in Vancouver including purchased American-made hull that for the first time. inspired cuisine similar to that of the breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers • 7 night cruise aboard the American Queen • 7 night cruise aboard the American Empress will become an all-suite purpose-built “The American Queen Steamboat American Queen. • Complimentary wine and beer with dinner onboard • Complimentary wine and beer with dinner onboard boutique paddlewheeler offering the Company has led the way in a rebirth “In five short years, the American river cruiser an intimate experience of U.S. River cruising as thousands Queen Steamboat Company has • Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water • Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks on board and soft drinks on board through America’s heartland. She will discover our heartland and the Pacific grown to over 500 employees and we • Included Shore Excursions • Included Shore Excursions feature the largest suites on the river Northwest, served by an award- look forward to hiring about 100 more, in every category, which will be fitted winning, All-American crew,” shares right here in the U.S., in anticipation Inside Stateroom from Deluxe Outside Stateroom from Veranda Stateroom from Deluxe Veranda Stateroom from US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, to the American Queen Steamboat Ted Sykes, company president and of the American Duchess inaugural 2,168 twin share 3,718 twin share 3,168 twin share 3,738 twin share Company’s highest standards. The COO. “Demand for more capacity season,” said John Waggoner, the 166-guest American Duchess follows in on the Mississippi River has been line’s chairman as well as president the pedigree of the line’s namesake overwhelming the past two seasons and CEO of HMS Global Maritime, American Queen, sailing the mighty and we look forward to delivering a operator of over 85 U.S.-flagged Mississippi and her tributaries. New for new boutique, all-suite experience and vessels.

REQUEST A BROCHURE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT OR CALL 02 9959 1355 [email protected] | WWW.AQSC.COM.AU

*Terms & conditions: Sales to 31 Dec 16 or until sold out. Fares are cruise only in US Dollars, per guest, twin share, (correct as at 26 Sep 16), based on an Inside Stateroom Cat. (E), Deluxe Outside Stateroom with Bay Window Cat. (D) on American Queen & Veranda Stateroom Cat. (E), Deluxe Outside Stateroom Cat. (C) on American Empress including all discounts and port charges. New bookings only. Gratuities & airfares additional. All fares & itineraries are subject to change, availability & currency fluctuations and can withdrawn at any time. Offer cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Prices based on cash or cheque. Travel agent service fees may apply. Cancellation and change penalties apply. For full terms and conditions see your preferred travel agent or refer to the brochure.

38 October 2016 he mighty rivers of the United States of America once served as the great highwaysT of early exploration and inspired dreams of discovery. Today, the American Queen Steamboat Company recreates the same sense of wonder, excitement and inspiration with all the convenience and comfort of modern luxury.

AMERICAN QUEEN AMERICAN EMPRESS ANTEBELLUM SOUTH EASTBOUND VOYAGE 8 NIGHT/9 DAY VOYAGE 8 NIGHT/9 DAY VOYAGE DEPARTING 12 NOVEMBER 2017 DEPARTING 29 OCTOBER 2017

NEW ORLEANS TO MEMPHIS PORTLAND (VANCOUVER, WA) TO CLARKSTON

INCLUDES: INCLUDES: • 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in New Orleans including • 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in Vancouver including breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers • 7 night cruise aboard the American Queen • 7 night cruise aboard the American Empress • Complimentary wine and beer with dinner onboard • Complimentary wine and beer with dinner onboard • Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water • Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks on board and soft drinks on board • Included Shore Excursions • Included Shore Excursions Inside Stateroom from Deluxe Outside Stateroom from Veranda Stateroom from Deluxe Veranda Stateroom from US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, US$ * per guest, 2,168 twin share 3,718 twin share 3,168 twin share 3,738 twin share

REQUEST A BROCHURE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT OR CALL 02 9959 1355 [email protected] | WWW.AQSC.COM.AU

Crystal Mozart is set to explore the Munich; full day to the delightful On-board there unlimited onboard Danube River in extraordinary style, historic city of Regensburg; and many refreshments, from premium with butler service for every suite, other excursions including shorter beverages, champagne, fine wine superb Michelin star-level cuisine, strolls to significant historical and and spirits to soft drinks, gratuities and an unrivalled selection of all- medieval highpoints. There is a choice for all shipboard staff, including inclusive luxuries and privileges. The of three departures – 22 November to butlers and Crystal Adventures staff, experience on board continues ashore 2 December 2016, 2 December to 12 complimentary culinary experiences with expertly curated complimentary December 2016 and 12 December at Michelin-starred or highly renowned excursions allowing for unprecedented to 22 December 2016. All these are local restaurants, complimentary access and uniquely authentic 10 days round-trip Vienna cruising the curated Crystal Adventures ashore, local experiences. Complimentary scenic Wachau Valley, visiting Vienna, featuring both cultural and soft/ excursions include full days to St Austria; Melk, Austria; Linz, Austria; extreme adventures, depending on Gilgen and St Wolfgang in Austria’s Passau, Germany; Vilshofen an der the port, complimentary WiFi and Lake District; an adventure to Česky Donau, Germany; Bratislava, Slovakia; internet access (60 minutes per person Krumlov (Czech Republic); full day returning to Vienna cruising the scenic per day), 24-hour room service and to Salzburg’s Christmas Markets; to Danube River; complimentary fitness programs.

Exploring the Amazon River by Small Ship The Manatee Rescue Centre in famed ‘piranha dance’. And then Equitos is a rehabilitation centre for there are the pinups of the forest – the the protection of the endangered capuchin monkeys with their punk rock freshwater manatee, a gentle hairdos, the ever-smiling three-toed herbivore found in rivers, swamps and sloths, the bubblegum pink dolphins, wetlands of the Amazon rainforest. the cereal box Toucan bird, the slinky Under threat from poachers, habitat jaguar, the giant anteater and the loss and pollution, orphaned and Jesus lizard, so named because it injured manatees are brought to the can walk on water. From some of the centre for rehabilitation before being world’s most beautiful creatures to returned to the river. Hand-feeding the most dangerous animals on Earth travellers come away as ambassadors a baby manatee and watching its the Amazon rainforest should be on for these wild places, ensuring they hippo-like lips grip the teat of a bottle everyone’s list. remain viable and healthy for future is one of those life-affirming moments A wildlife trip to South America also generations. we all seek, but seldom find, in travel. provides opportunities to learn about Cruise the Amazon River in luxury with Thanks to donations by Scenic, not only the people. In the Amazon jungle Scenic on board Aqua Expedition’s are the injured animals given the best it’s the people from the Cocama 16 suite Aria. Boutique in size, suites chance of survival, local communities tribe who show visitors how to fish for feature panoramic windows, luxurious are educated in sustainable red-bellied piranha and what plants amenities and king size beds. Other alternatives to hunting. can be used for medicine or magic, on board amenities include an In contrast to the placid manatee is while out on the river it’s the Riberenos air- conditioned bar, lounge and the black caiman, the largest predator who’ll share stories about jungle spirits, restaurant. Enjoy delicious Amazonia in the Amazon ecosystem, best viewed including El Bufeo Colorado, a shape- inspired cuisine with menus exclusively on a night safari when the crocodilian- shifting pink dolphin and El Tunchi, designed by Executive Chef, Pedro like creature comes out to hunt. protector of the forest. Miguel Schiaffino and fine South Taking to skiffs (small tenders) under Guests of Scenic can contribute to American and European wines. Two to the cover of darkness, spotlighting protecting the Amazon rainforest three times daily take the opportunity for red jewelled eyes or drag marks in through enrichment experiences such to explore off ship into the Amazonian the mud, is not for the faint of heart. as visiting the Manatee Rescue Centre, jungle on board custom made Nor is fishing for piranha, their razor relocating river turtle eggs or delivering motorised launch boats or skiffs with sharp mouths snapping as you haul school supplies to local villages. By one of the four on board naturalists. them ashore, toes safely tucked inside making tangible contributions to the Discover the Amazon on a journey with covered shoes to avoid doing the communities and environments visited, Scenic in 2017.

40 October 2016 2017/18 Africa Brochure AmaWaterways has announced onboard the Zambezi Queen in the a four-night wildlife cruise and two the debut of its 2017/18 Africa 2017/18 season. AmaWaterways’ full nights in Victoria Falls, two nights Brochure, which features a new list of 2017/18 Africa itineraries includes: in Johannesburg and seven nights ‘Wildlife & the Falls’ itinerary, giving Discover Africa – Three nights in Cape at Tanzanian luxury safari lodges in guests the opportunity to experience Town, followed by a four-night wildlife Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Johannesburg, a Chobe River safari cruise and two nights in Victoria Falls, Serengeti; optional pre-adventure with in Botswana, Victoria Falls and game with an option to extend for two three nights in Cape Town. drives in Greater Kruger National Park. nights in Johannesburg; Wildlife & the All sailings will take place onboard the Falls – One night in Johannesburg, The new 12-night itinerary will begin in all-suite, 28-passenger Zambezi Queen a four-night African river safari, two Johannesburg at the luxurious Fairlawns Often referred to as a ‘floating lodge,’ nights in Victoria Falls, two nights in Boutique Hotel in a Grand Chateau the Zambezi Queen was designed Johannesburg and two nights at a Suite. Guests will then embark on a for optimal game viewing. The top luxury safari lodge in Greater Kruger four-night luxury cruise and experience level of the ship features an open-air National Park; Stars of South Africa – pool deck, where travellers can relax a safari in Chobe National Park. The Three nights in Cape Town, a four-night with 360-degree views of the Chobe final week will include a guided tour wildlife cruise, two nights in Victoria River and its daily visitors, including the of Victoria Falls National Park, a tour Falls, two nights in Johannesburg and largest concentration of elephants of Nelson Mandela landmarks, a stay three nights at a luxury safari lodge in in Africa. Cruisers will enjoy private at Tintswalo Safari Lodge (pictured Greater Kruger National Park; Rivers & balconies and spacious staterooms, left) and daily morning, afternoon and Rails of Africa – Three nights in Cape as well as air conditioners throughout. evening game drives through Greater Town, a four-night wildlife cruise, two The environmentally responsible eco- Kruger National Park. nights in Victoria Falls and a three-night ship uses a jet propulsion system that In addition to AmaWaterways’ newest Rovos train journey from Victoria Falls preserves the river bed and uses a solar Africa itinerary, the company will also to Pretoria and Golden Trails of East heating system to supply guests with feature several other unique sailings Africa – One night in Johannesburg, hot water.

The Scenic Eclipse Here is a new rendering of the Scenic Eclipse imposed in Antarctica waters. A brochure is due for release in 2017. Scenic Eclipse is the World’s First Discovery Yacht and the first ocean cruise ship from Scenic. Launching in the Mediterranean on 31 August 2018, her maiden voyage season will include The Americas; Antarctica; Europe and the Mediterranean and the Arctic and Fjords. Designed to deliver the ultimate experience of a lifetime for only 228 guests, Scenic Eclipse takes Brand New Ship for American Cruise Lines ocean cruising to a whole new level – American Cruise Lines newest ship, now New England itinerary sailing round- marrying luxury, discovery and safety under construction at Chesapeake and giving guests the opportunity to trip from Boston, MA, after sailing two Shipbuilding of Salisbury, MD, has explore above and beyond what was 7-night cruises on the Chesapeake Bay been named American Constellation. previously imaginable. round-trip from Baltimore, MD. This ship will set a new standard of excellence for coastal cruise ships. Immediately after being launched into the calm waters of the Wicomico River, tugboats manoeuvred the cruise ship into Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s East Outfitting Basin where the upper decks will be added and outfitting will be completed. American Constellation will be delivered in April 2017. It has a capacity for 170 passengers and will offer 10-night cruises on a new Grand

www.cruisingnews.com 41 P&O Cruises Serves Up the Action Woodbridge of the famed ‘ Woodies’ duo will host an exclusive breakfast in Melbourne as part of a tournament of onboard events lined up for the cruise. The five-night roundtrip cruise from Sydney includes two days’ admission to all the action at Melbourne Park as well as a volley of tennis-themed activities onboard including trivia, table tennis championships and Wii tennis P&O Cruises has announced an ace tournaments. The Australian Open will line-up of legendary tennis talent and also be screened live on the ship’s tennis-themed onboard activities on giant screen for guests to watch in its popular Australian Open cruise poolside style during their cruise, while in January. Australian Grand Slam the Men’s and Women’s Australian champion Ken Rosewall will share Open trophies will also be onboard. his tips on the international tennis event and offer photo opportunities Departing on January 19, fares for the as Pacific Pearl cruises from Sydney cruise include general admission and to Melbourne, while Wimbledon and direct transfers to the National Tennis Olympic Doubles champion Todd Centre for the two days.

Crystal Cruises Concludes Technical Feasibility Study Fiji Cruise Package Photo – Tim Ryan 1950’s-era vessel into a modern, luxury Special cruise and dive packages are cruise ship that would comply with all available with Captain Cook Cruises modern safety and technical standards four-night Northern Yasawa and Tivua – unprecedented for a single vessel Island cruise aboard small ship MV Reef refurbishment. Crystal commenced a Endeavour. The cruise guarantees divers comprehensive feasibility study and will dive at different and untouched professional evaluation, convening locations each day, while accessing a world-class team of engineers and the most remote and pristine areas of experts while incurring over $1 million Fiji. Seven dives throughout the cruise, in costs. The technical feasibility Following an intensive, six-month including at new Tivua Island dive study concluded that while the ship evaluation, Crystal Cruises has wreck Raiyawa are available. is remarkably intact and structurally determined that while the SS United The cruise visits some world class dive sound, modifying the ship for today’s States is structurally sound, the technical spots and offers guests two dives each standards for oceangoing service and commercial challenges associated day, always in different locations. Dive (SOLAS) would require significant with returning the historic liner to groups are small in numbers and dives changes to the hull that would pose service as a modern cruise ship have last about 40 minutes. All scuba diving is stability challenges. Additionally, the unfortunately proven insurmountable. operated by Viti Water Sports, a PADI5 installation of a modern, state-of-the-art As a show of support for the vessel, Star Dive Centre, and cater for certified, diesel electric propulsion plant would Crystal Cruises will be making a occasional and first time divers. First significant donation of $350,000 to aid have necessitated altering of the time divers can learn to dive onboard, in the Conservancy’s ongoing mission existing shaft lines and rebuilding about practicing all the basics skills in the pool to save the ship. The Conservancy 25 percent of the hull to reconfigure and then experiencing their first open intends to resume its pursuit of stationary the ship to a twin shaft-twin rudder water dive in the warm clear waters. redevelopment opportunities for arrangement. While it was known that Passengers can experience seven America’s Flagship. In February, Crystal the vessel would need to have been free dives on the four-night cruise and and the SS United States Conservancy essentially rebuilt from the inside out, choose from over 15 dive sites including announced they had entered into these specific challenges, among The Blue Lagoon, The Zoo, The Maze, an exclusive option agreement with others, collectively posed significant risk Babylon Caves and Mistiq, all offering the goal of converting the iconic to the success of the project. a different dive experience from diving Two New Expedition Vessels through caves and canyons, over breathtaking coral gardens, to wall The TUI Group is to invest in two new- the highest Polar Class designation diving and diving through amazing builds for its Hamburg-based subsidiary for passenger ships, they will be able marine life including pelagics and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The two, new, to cruise not only in polar regions in sharks. Diving Raiyawa, Captain Cook 5-star expedition vessels are scheduled the Arctic and Antarctica but also in Cruises Fiji’s newest dive site just off for launch in April and October 2019, warm water destinations such as the Tivua Island is also included in the respectively, following 20 months of Amazon. On-board Zodiacs will allow package. Having only opened this year, construction. The two 16,100 GT ships landings in otherwise inaccessible Raiyawa, has been turned into a wreck (Length: 138 metres, width: 22 metres, expedition areas. The ships will also divers dream. Offering an exciting dive draught: 5.4 metres, passenger decks: feature a water sports marina. The for advanced divers, divers descend 7 and cabins and suites: 120) will be 5-star ships will be for expedition built at the Norwegian Vard shipyard of segment with one new-build to serve down through misty, rich waters with the Vard Holdings Limited, a shareholding German-speaking markets (Germany, ship coming into sight like a ghost ship. of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard. The Austria, Switzerland) and the other The four night Northern Yasawa and vessels will be equipped with state- new-build to serve German-speaking Mamanuca cruise and dive package of-the-art technological features and markets and in addition Belgium, the is on sale until 30 November 2017 and environmental technology. With PC6, UK, Netherlands and the US. valid for travel until 31 March 2017.

42 October 2016 Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington. It is branded and commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place. “Te Papa Tongarewa” is broadly translatable as “the place of treasures of this land”. If you are visiting Wellington this is a must see, especially the ground- breaking exhibition that tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances – Gallipoli: The scale of our war. Each is captured frozen in a moment of time on a monumental scale – 2.4 times human size. The large- scale sculptures took a staggering 24,000 hours to create, and countless hours were spent researching their rich histories. Cutting-edge technology was used to create 3-D maps, projections, miniatures, models, dioramas, and interactive experiences to bring this story to life. A week out from the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in April 2015 the public had their first look at this exhibition, developed by Te Papa working closely with Weta Workshop. So far there have been over 900,000 visitors. Entry is free and it will be open till 2019. It is an outstanding exhibition allowing much time for reflection and has had profound emotional impact on many people who have visited. – JT

www.cruisingnews.com 43 FEATURE STORY

Atlantica takes on the Pacific by Jonathan Crabbe

For a ship named after ‘the Pond,’ made history when she conducted (Fiji), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Costa Atlantica will be traversing a the first-ever around-the-world cruise Bora Bora and Papeete (French sizeable portion of the Pacific over the dedicated to the Chinese market, an Polynesia). Leaving Tahiti, the ship coming months. Based in China since 86-day westbound circumnavigation. sets a westerly course for Nuku’alofa 2013, the 86,000 gt vessel will undertake Now the ship is preparing to embark (Tonga), Noumea (New Caledonia), the first roundtrip voyage to the South on her second long voyage from Port Moresby and Rabaul (Papua New Pacific for Chinese passengers as she China, which will see her weave her Guinea). A return to Saipan and a visit leaves the northern winter behind in way through the tropical islands of to Busan (Korea) follow before Costa the South Pacific. The 46-day cruise, search of warmer climes. Atlantica arrives back in her homeport departing Tianjin (the port for Beijing) of Tianjin on 14 January, 2017. Absent While the booming Chinese cruise on 30 November, will take the ship as from her itinerary are ports in Australia market is best known for short hops far southeast as French Polynesia and and New Zealand, but it is surely only a to nearby Japan and South Korea, includes fifteen port calls in eleven matter of time before we too welcome there are indications of growing countries. With fares starting at AUD a Chinese ship. interest in much longer voyages from 10,000, the voyage can only be taken China. Last year, Costa Atlantica as a complete roundtrip. Completed in 2000, Costa Atlantica was the first of six ships known as Following initial the Spirit class built for Carnival stops in Korea and Japan, Costa Corporation. Australians will recognise Atlantica makes the vessel as being a sister to the her way south locally based Carnival Spirit and to the Mariana Carnival Legend. With the exception Islands and the US of their brand-specific funnels, the territory of Saipan. ships’ exteriors are virtually identical. From there she Atlantica is one of four Costa vessels island-hops to based in Asia year-round, the others Honiara (Solomon being Fortuna, Serena, and Victoria. Islands), Port Vila A fifth ship – Costa neoRomantica – (Vanuatu), Suva arrives in April next year.

44 October 2016 AIDA delays China but goes global by Jonathan Crabbe The name AIDA (pronounced eye-ee- for a summer season of Western of AIDAcara (then known as simply da) is something of an unknown on Mediterranean sailings. AIDAbella is Aida) in 1996 marked the introduction the Australian cruising scene. With an scheduled to return to Southeast Asian of the line’s signature ‘club ship’ eleven-strong fleet of modern cruise waters late next year, so her Chinese concept. The innovative approach to ships, Carnival-owned AIDA Cruises deployment may follow in the northern German-style cruising was designed is the third largest line in Europe, but spring of 2018. to attract a younger, more active its exclusive focus on the German- Coinciding with the postponement of crowd with a casual, lifestyle-oriented speaking market and restricted Chinese operations, AIDA revealed onboard product. The concept caught deployment have limited the brand’s it will undertake its first around-the- on, and Aida was joined by two slightly recognition elsewhere. While AIDA’s world cruise late next year. The line has larger sisters in 2002 and 2003. The ambitious plan to enter the Chinese selected its smallest and oldest ship, acquisition of the company, first by P&O market is on hold for now, a global the 38,557 gt AIDAcara, to conduct Princess and later Carnival, saw the circumnavigation will see the brand the 116-day voyage, which departs introduction of additional and larger make its first appearance in Australian Hamburg on 17 October 2017. Following waters. tonnage, cementing AIDA’s position a westbound route, AIDAcara will sail as Germany’s largest cruise line. Earlier Just weeks after announcing plans around South America and across this year, the company welcomed its to market its forthcoming Chinese the Pacific before making her maiden newest and largest ship, the 125,000 cruises as a premium ‘Made in call in Sydney on 20 December. The gt Japanese-built AIDAprima, and an Germany’ product, AIDA has had a ship’s arrival in Australia marks not only rethink on its aspirations in China. In identical sister, AIDAperla, will follow in AIDA’s first foray into the South Pacific, November last year, AIDA revealed 2017. While the outward appearance but the last of Carnival’s nine major it would be the latest cruise line to of the AIDA fleet may not be to brands to visit the region. Following a base a ship in China when its 69,203 everyone’s liking, the ships’ distinctive two-day stay in Sydney, the ship heads gt AIDAbella arrives in Shanghai in lines and striking hull art make them north to Cairns, Darwin, and Southeast April 2017. Now, with no explanation among the most recognizable in the Asia, arriving back in Hamburg on 10 other than demand elsewhere, it world. With its global expansion plans, February 2018. For now the voyage is appears AIDA’s entry into the booming we will undoubtedly be seeing more of only being sold as a complete roundtrip Chinese market will be delayed by at the eyes and lips of AIDA in the years to with fares starting from 11,995 euro (AUD least a year. Following a four-month come. ‘farewell’ season in Southeast Asia for its 18,000) per person. traditional German-speaking clientele, While its roots date the 2008-built AIDAbella was to have back to 1960s East undergone a refit to prepare her for Germany, AIDA year-round service from Shanghai. The is celebrating ship will arrive in Shanghai on 2 April the twentieth as originally scheduled, but instead anniversary of its of heading to a local shipyard she current operations will make her way back to Europe in 2016. The delivery AIDAbella

www.cruisingnews.com 45 Akaroa Pauanesia gift shop Auckland Across the Tasman Sea – Cruising along New Zealand’s coastline By Petra O’Neill Each morning as I walked briskly including healthy salads, there are two then spent two days at sea crossing around the Promenade Deck counting surcharge restaurants and a sushi bar the Tasman when at daybreak the the number of laps, I would look out while pizza, burgers and gelato are clouds parted to reveal the majestic on the horizon. On this day the Tasman available poolside. The high tea served peaks of New Zealand’s Milford Sound. Sea was quite still when suddenly a every afternoon is a highlight with On the south island we visited Dunedin female humpback whale followed by an amazing selection of cakes and a city with a strong Scottish heritage her young calf on the migratory path scones. with striking cathedrals, gracious back to the Antarctic Ocean leapt Days at sea allow you plenty of time terraces and the steepest street in the out of the water. On other days I saw to enjoy the onboard amenities world. You can visit Larnach Castle, albatross, bottle nose dolphins, sea that include a gym the best that Speight’s Brewery with reputedly lions, fur seals and penguins. Perhaps I’ve experienced at sea, Japanese the world’s best beer, stock up on there is no more pristine a sea than this bathhouse and spa for luxurious Cadbury’s chocolates, come up to be found anywhere. indulgences to lectures, yoga, bingo, close to fur seals and rare yellow eyed I was onboard the Diamond Princess bridge, zumba, art auctions, ice penguins and join the Taieri Gorge a 2670 passenger cruise ship for 58 sculptures and cooking classes. Best Railway travelling on a series of steep days or 4 cruises between Sydney and of all I enjoyed spending time in the viaducts past stunning mountainous Auckland to talk on the destinations library reading while listening to music scenery. visited and provide directions. To do provided by jazz or classical musicians. Nearby Akaroa is a pretty seaside that I had to learn the layout of 18 Each evening is show time in the town with the quirky Giant’s House, decks without getting lost, but with my Princess Theatre with Broadway style brightly painted craft shops, cafes and crew access card I did that quite a lot. shows as well as a DJ in the disco, art galleries. You can also explore the On deck 2 was a vast laundry the size pianist in the bar and a band such scenic lush countryside of the Banks of a football field and after entering a as Gavin Starkey and Evolution that Peninsula, visit Christchurch or swim in fire escape, I eventually exited in the belted out soul, R&B and rock and roll the bay with playful Hector’s dolphins. galley to the annoyance of the head and could play any request including On the north island Tauranga has chef. As the days passed by the ship a perfect rendition of Mustang Sally. beautiful beaches or you can view felt more like home. Onboard were The journey began sailing out of the bubbling mud and geysers at Ray and Barbara King from Tasmania Sydney harbour flanked by the harbour Rotorua. The cruise ended in Auckland who spend most of their time at sea bridge and the Opera House surely a friendly vibrant city wedged having taken over 200 cruises. one of the world’s most breathtakingly between two harbours, with neat At the centre of the ship is the Atrium stunning harbours. As we followed the timber houses, boutiques, restaurants with five fine dining restaurants coastline and day turned to night, and many attractions. And while many radiating off it. The informal Horizon twinkling lights came into view. With a passengers disembarked here, I still Cafe offers a buffet selection day in both Melbourne and Hobart we had many more days to enjoy at sea. Milford Sound Port Melbourne Poolside onboard the Diamond Princess

46 October 2016 Taieri Gorge Railway Milford Sound

Cruising provides an excellent overview of New Zealand with the best itinerary including the Bay of Islands down to Milford Sound. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, P&O and Princess Cruises have frequent departures to New Zealand from October to March. For must see shore excursions book in advance but don’t be restricted by the ship’s choices. Research local tour operators (many will be waiting at the terminal) or if you want to self explore, have your day planned out with a map, transport options (shuttle buses are usually provided), NZ currency for incidentals (though credit cards are widely accepted), and list of places to see, port agent’s contact and terminal details if you get lost. Arrivals that are in the city centre such as Auckland and Akaroa are perfect for self exploration. Strict quarantine rules apply in New Zealand. Do not take food off the ship. Take a water bottle that you can refill as New Zealand has the freshest purest water often from springs. Sample local produce at farmers markets including cheeses, fruit and wine which is excellent. Bring your woollies and fleece jackets. Even in January it is cool. Get to know key ship staff by name and at the end of the cruise give thanks and pass on any positive feedback. Working onboard gave me an insight into how hard the crew try. Your appreciation means a lot.

Wilderness near Akaroa

Fur Seals, Otago Peninsula

Diamond Princess, Port Chalmers Port Chalmers

Promenade deck

www.cruisingnews.com 47 Exploring the Worlds’ Largest Sand Island By Raelene James And now a cruise destination! P&O Cruises and the Kingfisher Bay Resort have formed a partnership to bring cruise 4 ships to Fraser Island that will deliver increased tourism opportunities across the Queensland Fraser Coast. The first Fraser Island cruise was in April this year on the 5 1400-passenger Pacific Aria on a round trip from Brisbane and another a round trip cruise on Pacific Eden is planned leaving Sydney on 10 December, 2016. Five cruises are planned in 2017 – two from Sydney on 9 January and 11 December 7 and three from Brisbane on 1 May, 10 November and 27 November. All cruises are of four-night’s duration. Over a number of years the late Great Barrier Reef Pilot Captain John Foley developed several new cruise destinations, notably in the Great Barrier Reef, but also along the Queensland coastline including Fraser 8 Island. Excursions will take visitors on a four-wheel drive down beautiful 75 Mile Beach, a tour through the pristine rainforests to meet some of the island’s wildlife, the opportunity to swim in crystal clear creeks or take a dip in world-famous Lake McKenzie. Raelene James recently visited Fraser Island and provided this special 9 editorial and photographic report. 10 1. Lake McKenzie

6 2 1 11 3

2. Kingfisher Bay Resort

4. Waddy Point Sand Blow 5. Champagne Pools

3. Hoop Pines at Central Station

48 October 2016 6. Aerial View of 75 mile beach

7. Sand dunes

8. The Pinnacles – coloured sands

9. Maheno Shipwreck Traditionally known by the Butchulla The following day was spent people as K’gari, meaning exploring Lake Wabby which is “paradise”, Fraser Island offers an located at the base of the massive unique experience for all visitors. sand dunes. It was a 5.5 kilometre Accessible by four wheel drive only, return walk to the lake through the there is no shortage of activities forest and then on the sand dunes. and natural wonders to amaze and We were greeted by a wild dingo intrigue visitors to the island. at the start of the walk and always From Brisbane, we drove to Inskip cautious of their whereabouts. Point, near Rainbow Beach and After the hike to the lake, it was caught the barge. After a short 15 time for a swim at Eli Creek, a fresh minute ride across the channel, we water creek which pours millions of disembarked and continued our litres of fresh water into the ocean journey along 75-mile beach to get every hour. The kids enjoyed floating to our accommodation. This main down on their boogy boards with beach highway links most tracks to the current. the main attractions on the island. Day four was an early start, trying First stop was the Maheno to beat the tide to make it to the Shipwreck. In 1935, it was being Sandy Cape lighthouse. It was a towed from Sydney to Japan when long drive up 75-mile beach and the tow line broke. The Maheno around the heads. Unfortunately drifted onto the beach and all we didn’t make it as there were attempts to refloat failed. cars bogged at Ngkala Rocks and We continued up the beach to visit we were beaten by the rising tide. The Pinnacles, stunning cliffs with On the way back we stopped over 72 shades of red and yellow at Waddy Point and hiked up to 10. Eli Creek sand. the lookout to see the sand blow. Day two began with a drive to The view was spectacular, with Central Station which was the the ocean smashing against the headquarters of the forestry coloured rock cliffs. operations from 1920 to 1950. Some Our final destination was the old logging machinery is still on Champagne Pools, a collection of display and the massive Hoop Pines swimming holes formed around the tower over the site where a school rocks. They are the most popular salt once existed. water swimming destination on the Next stop was the magnificent Lake island. McKenzie. It contains only rainwater There is so much to see on Fraser and has pure white sand and crystal Island – five days wasn’t enough! We clear water. The shades of blue and hope to return next year and also green were mesmerising. see the migrating whales. 11. Lake Wabby

www.cruisingnews.com 49 SHIP REVIEW

Normandie to Rio by Tim Ryan

The sight of several cruise ships visiting the city of Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Olympic Games created much interest with the mountains surrounding the city providing a spectacular backdrop to the event but the impact paled into insignificance when compared with the presence of the magnificent French Liner Normandie which visited the city for the annual Rio Carnival nearly eighty years ago. The sight of several cruise ships visiting the wife of Albert Debrun, the French tons. The ship boasted many other firsts the city of Rio de Janeiro during the President with an estimated crowd as it had become the largest steam 2016 Olympic Games created much of 200,000 watching the much turbo-electric powered liner ever built interest with the mountains surrounding anticipated event with intense national and its interior design and decor were the city providing a spectacular pride. equally innovative, distinctive and backdrop to the event but the Normandie was destined to be the luxurious. Most significantly its exterior impact paled into insignificance when Ship of State – a symbol of French profile was streamlined while its hull compared with the presence of the ingenuity not just in the field of shape featured a clipper bow and its magnificent French Liner Normandie engineering but also in both terms underwater design included a bulbous which visited the city for the annual Rio of art and culture as the French Line forefoot that enabled the ship to glide Carnival nearly eighty years ago. intended that Normandie be the efficiently and swiftly through the sea. Generally considered to be the finest largest, fastest, most beautiful, most The exterior hull design was attributed passenger ship ever built, Normandie glamorous and most magnificent to Vladimir Yourkevitch, a former naval was constructed at the Chantiers et liner ever created and the ultimate architect for the Imperial Russian Navy Ateliers de Penhoet shipyard at St. example of the glorious era of Art- before the 1917 revolution who later Nazaire in France for the Compagnie Deco. immigrated to France. Générale Transatlantique, (French Normandie was the largest passenger Art-Deco was an elegant and luxurious Line), and was launched on 29 liner built to date with a length of 1,029 era which delighted in ornament for its October, 1932 by Madame Debrun, feet and a gross tonnage of 79,280 own sake and it exuded sophistication, Normandie & Queen Rouen Suite Grand Staircase Smoking Salon Mary New York 1940

50 October 2016 Maiden Voyage New York 1935 Brass Door to Our Lady of Lebanon Church Brooklyn

class and quality. The name derived dining room in spectacular style while featured unique interiors designed by from the 1925 Art Decoratif Exhibition in the walls themselves glistened with some of France’s best designers and Paris and Normandie unapologetically tiles of moulded glass with each end the most luxurious accommodations on was to become a suberb ambassador of the room adorned by an Art-Deco the ship were the Deauville, Trouville, and exhibit of this glorious age. The chandelier of etched glass. Rouen and Caen suite apartments interiors were designed by a range of Another popular feature on board which boasted their own dining noted French exponents of the Art- was the cafe grille which led to the rooms, multiple bedrooms, private Deco era including Emile-Jacques grand staircase which featured the decks and even baby grand pianos. Ruhlman, Raymond Subes, Renee bronze statue of La Normandie by A disproportionate amount of public Lalique, Pierre Patout and Jean Dupas. Baudry. A series of public rooms could space was devoted to the first-class Normandie received much acclaim be accessed by the staircase to the passengers, including the dining room, for its lavish Art-Deco interiors but smoking room and the Grand Salon, grand salon lounge, grille room, first perhaps the most spectacular room another of the spectacular lounges class swimming pool, theatre, winter aboard was the first class dining room. on board which also doubled as a garden, and other amenities. With a length of 305 feet and a width nightclub during voyages. Normandie commenced its maiden of 46 feet and a height of 28 feet, La The Grand Salon itself was decorated voyage from Le Havre to New York on Salle Manger was designed by Pierre extensively with glass panels etched 29 May 1935, earning the right to the Patout and was the largest room and painted on the back in gold, silver, prestigious North Atlantic Blue Riband afloat on any ship. Passengers entered platinum and palladium designed by by setting speed records in averaging the dining room through two tall Jean Dupas. The panels told the story 30 knots both westbound to New York metal doors adorned with ten bronze of navigation in a mythical sense and and on its return to Europe. The ship medallions by the artist Raymond with golden ships, gods, goddesses, Subes which featured French castles, reached New York in four days, three serpents and other creatures and the cathedrals, and the French ocean liner hours and fourteen minutes taking the art works represented some of Dupas’ Ile de France. Blue Riband away from the Italian liner finest creations. Rex much to the immense pride of the The French Line boasted that the French nation. first class dining room was longer In addition, “Normandie” boasted an than the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles indoor and outdoor pool, a chapel However in August 1936 Cunard’s and the room could seat up to 700 and a theatre which could function new superliner Queen Mary captured guests who were served with Daum as both a stage and cinema. The the Blue Riband from Normandie crystal and Christofle silver cutlery theatre was based upon the design of averaging 30.14 knots which stirred a and arguably the finest cuisine ever the Radio City Music Hall in New York fierce rivalry between the two liners. In offered on a ship. The design of the and is credited as being the first true July 1937 Normandie regained the Blue room featured twelve tall pillars of large stage and entertainment facility Riband once more, but the Queen Lalique glass and 38 columns along the aboard any ship up to that time. Mary recaptured the trophy again the walls which brilliantly illuminated the The First-class suites on “Normandie” following year. De Luxe Suite Normandie by Maximilien Vox Lounge

www.cruisingnews.com 51 Cafe Grille Main Restaurant Normandie & Manhatten Skyline – Berenice Abbot

Prior to the introduction of the Queen in New York on 28 August 1939, and and on 28 November 1946 Normandie Mary, the French Line was keen for would never sail again. Mothballed at made a forlorn sight as it was towed Normandie to retain the distinction Pier 88, it was taken into custody by across New York Harbour to Newark, of being the world’s largest ship and the U.S. Coast Guard when France was New Jersey, where the ship was with the addition of an enclosed occupied by Germany in June 1940, scrapped the following year. tourist lounge on the aft boat deck, and less than a week after Pearl Harbor, Many fittings from the Normandie Normandie was re-measured at 83,423 the ship was taken over by the U.S. were saved and one corner section gross tons which exceeded Queen Maritime Commission to be converted of Dupas’ work in the Grand Salon is Mary’s tonnage of 81,235 tons by a into a troop ship with the intention of displayed in the Metropolitan Museum considerable margin. renaming the ship U.S.S. Lafayette. of Art in New York. The metal doors Normandie only conducted a few In January 1942 the U.S. War from the dining salon also survive cruises in its short career but its fabled Department requisitioned the vessel today as part of the entrance to Our 22 day voyages from New York to Rio and by 9 February its conversion into a Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic de Janeiro in February 1938 and 1939 troopship was nearly completed with Church in Brooklyn, New York. Along gained much publicity and quickly all the artworks and furnishings having with Christofle silverware, the prized booked out with a maximum of 1,000 being removed. But on that day while Art-Deco posters of Normandie by artist first class only passengers being carried. being loaded with supplies, a spark Adolphe Cassandre are still eagerly The itinerary included visits to Nassau, from a welder’s torch ignited a bale of sought after by collectors. Trinidad, Martinique but the highlight lifejackets filled with inflammable kapok was five days in Rio where Normandie in the Grand Salon lounge. The fire In its short lived but prosperous life, anchored offshore. spread rapidly, and a series of mistakes Normandie carried a number of distinguished passengers, including its Passengers participated in the annual by the ship’s crew and firefighters led to Rio Carnival and at that time the the ship capsizing on its port side and launching lady Madame Lebrun, and festivities celebrated the beginning sinking at its berth due to the weight of film stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Cary of Lent and the period leading up to water pumped onto the upper decks Grant, and James Stewart and even Easter. Passengers also took the railway by fire fighting craft. the von Trapp family singers, the real life family upon which the musical “The up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer After a massive salvage operation Sound of Music” was based. at the summit of Corvacado and also Normandie was righted and refloated the gondola to Sugarloaf Mountain. in September 1943, and towed to Normandie was a ship of superlatives In the meantime Normandie became the Brooklyn Navy Yard for possible and in every respect lived up to its a tourist attraction in its own right conversion into an aircraft carrier but name of being the most beautiful ship generating much attention as it lay at the plan was abandoned due to the ever built. Tragically Normandie’s anchor in Guanabara Bay. cost and the ship remained in Brooklyn eventual demise was as ignominious as Normandie’s career as a passenger for the remainder of the war. Despite the ship itself was glorious but the liner liner was cut short by the outbreak of plans to restore the ship as a liner once will always be identified as the ultimate the Second World War. At the end of its more, the costs were prohibitive and symbol of that magnificent Art-Deco 139th Atlantic crossing, the ship arrived the vessel was sold for breaking up era.

Normandie wreck New York 1943

Jean Dupas Panel in Metropolitan Museum

52 October 2016 The ART of cruising with ASTOR Cruise and Maritime Voyages has the group also has members from The Gallery throughout the cruise. had a touch of creativity added to South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, The 620 passenger cruise ship Astor Astor’s coming season, while based Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, in Fremantle. Astor will welcome Taiwan, and Japan. During the cruise will arrive in Fremantle (from London Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers Australian artists and guests from Tilbury) on Friday, 9 December 2016 (WA region) Inc for the 6-night cruise Switzerland, Clotilde Ruegg and Peter to begin her fourth summer based from Fremantle, departing 12 February, Faust, will conduct demonstrations in Western Australia. She will offer 16 2017. The cruise will visit Esperance, in the art of porcelain painting. Two exciting itineraries from WA, before Albany and Bunbury, before returning schools have been planned, with heading to Adelaide, where she will to Fremantle on 18 February, 2017. one on board the ship and for the More than 50 members of Porcelain Art land lovers another in Mandurah offer three return itineraries from the Teachers have registered for the cruise, following the cruise. There will be a free City of Churches, before heading back including from as far as Canada, while exhibition of hand-painted porcelain in to her home in the UK.

Two Talented Home Cooks Laura Blanot, Sophia Levin, Luke Mangan, Sture Myrmell, Michelle Walsh, Australian restaurateur Luke Mangan Sammy Jakubiak & Tristan Lutze has hand-picked two talented home cooks and foodies Sammy Jakubiak and Sofia Levin as short- listed finalists in his Search for a CEO (Culinary Experience Officer) campaign, launched in March. The campaign marks Mangan’s milestone of becoming the first restaurateur in the world with dishes served on land, sea, air and rail following a recent partnership with Eastern & Oriental Express. restaurants, across P&O Cruises’ ships, vote on the day, the two winners Mangan called on foodies across the Virgin Australia and Eastern & Oriental will now create a dish each to be country to enter for the chance to brand partnerships in October. available in all Salt grill restaurants be short-listed in one of the following Of the five dishes created for the onboard all five P&O Cruises’ ships. categories: The Drinks Connoisseur, occasion, Sammy’s was a beautiful Luke opened his first restaurant at sea The Artisan Supplier and The Talented creation of orange and amaretto onboard a P&O ship in 2009 and now Home Cook, for which Sammy cheesecake while Sofia’s was a has a Salt grill onboard each of the and Sofia were selected. The final delightful beetroot cured kingfish. cruise line’s five ships. His next Salt grill crowned ‘CEO’ will be awarded with Chosen by a panel of judges including will launch in June 2017 when P&O’s a smorgasbord of tasting and travel Luke Mangan and P&O Cruises latest ship Pacific Explorer debuts in experiences at Luke’s international President Sture Myrmell and a popular Sydney.

P&O Cruises Makes History in Solomon Islands P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden on 30 Our ship’s tenders were greeted and September 2016 became the largest escorted to shore by a traditional cruise ship to visit the remote paradise war “tomoko” canoe, paddled by 26 of Gizo in the Solomon Islands as part locals.” of a history-making voyage. The visit Pacific Eden will return to Gizo and to Gizo, which is the capital of the Honiara at the end of October. She Western Province, Solomon Islands, is will make a further three visits to P&O’s inaugural call to the port and Solomon Islands in 2017. In total, there the first of two maiden visits for Pacific will be seven ships under the Carnival Eden in the Solomon Islands on this Australia umbrella that have called in cruise. The next day when Pacific Eden Honiara this year. In addition to P&O berthed at Honiara, she also became Cruises’ two visits, Princess Cruises has the first cruise ship – and the largest made four calls while Seabourn has vessel – to call at the new Honiara City also made one visit. wharf. A study released in July this year P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell showed cruise shipping contributed thanked the City of Gizo community about $640,000 to the Solomon Islands for the special welcome for Pacific each year in direct and indirect Eden’s 1500 guests. Prior to P&O’s call, only smaller expedition style ships have economic impact. visited the city. “Pacific Eden has the Image: Local man Skinner Rence honour of being the largest cruise ship built this great canoe and towed it and the first P&O vessel to visit the for 13 hours to Gizo so that he could City of Gizo – a major event for the welcome Pacific Eden’s guests to the community,” Mr Myrmell said. “From Solomon Islands in style. The canoe the moment our guests got off the ship, was out on the water as Pacific Eden they were made to feel welcome. made her historic inaugural visit.

www.cruisingnews.com 53 Exciting New 7 Night Cruise Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Captain Cook Cruises has announced Waikerie, Morgan and Swan Reach, Conservation Park a new cruise on the Murray River – the where guests will be taken on seven-night Upper Murraylands Cruise fascinating guided walks and visits onboard Paddlewheeler, PS Murray to historic museums. At Blanchetown Princess. The cruise will depart once guests will be enthralled with the a month from Friday, 21 April, 2017. experience of going through Lock No. The seven-night Upper Murraylands 1 (one of thirteen along the river). The Cruise will explore the northern area seven nights Upper Murraylands 2017 of the Murray River from Mannum to cruise departures include 21 April, Morgan, before returning to Mannum. 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, The diverse itinerary ensures this cruise 15 September, 13 October and 10 offers something for everyone. The November. Cruise departures in 2018 Upper Murraylands cruise will visit include 12 January, 16 February and 16 historic towns including picturesque March.

Fantastic New Kangaroo Island, Wine and River Cruise Holiday SeaLink Holidays have launched a and wine lovers, or really anyone that Admiral’s Arch new Escorted Tour, the 9 day/ 8 night enjoys new experiences, travelling in Highlights of South Australia departing groups and meeting new friends. The 24 March 2017. The tour encompasses tour includes complimentary hotel pick the natural wonders of Kangaroo up and drop off at selected Adelaide Island, a Murray River cruise aboard Hotels, return luxury coach and ferry paddlewheeler PS Murray Princess and travel from Adelaide to Kangaroo a tour of world renowned wine regions Island, three night’s accommodation at Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn and the Barossa and Clare Valley. The tour touring on Kangaroo Island, 4 night will be escorted by well-known South Murray Princess cruise in an outside Australian, Shirley Tamm, who has cabin, 1 night’s accommodation in over 35 years’ experience in the travel Clare, touring of the Fleurieu Peninsula, industry. the Barossa and the Clare Valley, most The Highlights of South Australia tour meals and the tour is fully escorted by is ideal for wildlife, cruise and food Shirley Tamm from Adelaide.

Name of new ship announced wind (Australis – southern; Ventus – Ventus Australis will be a twin sister wind), the new, 210-passenger Ventus to the 210-passenger Stella Australis, Australis is being constructed at a launched in 2010, which will continue shipyard in Valdivia in southern Chile to offer expedition voyages through ahead of her launch in late 2017 for the channels and fjords of southern Chile during the next 2016/17 summer Ventus Australis has been announced Australis’ 2017/18 summer season of season until her new fleet-mate joins as the name of the new ship being cruising in Patagonia. Tailor-made for her for Australis’ 2017/18 program. built for Patagonian cruise line, cruising on the southern tip of South When she commences service, Ventus Australis, which offers ‘bottom of the America, Ventus Australis will replace Australis will offer four-night cruises from world’ expedition voyages to Cape the smaller, 136-passenger Via Australis, Ushuaia in Argentina to Punta Arenas Horn and the glaciers and fjords of which was built in 2005 and sold in Chile or return – the two southern- Tierra del Fuego. Latin for southern recently to Lindblad Expeditions. most towns in the world.

BOOK REVIEW – ‘Swallowed by the Sea’ explores Australia’s most famous shipwrecks Over the centuries, Australian waters disaster, describing how the ship came have become the final resting place to be in Australian waters, the people for many ships lost in raging storms, involved, the dramatic circumstances on jagged reefs, under enemy fire, or of the actual wrecking and the through human error. In this new book, aftermath. Swallowed by the Sea (NLA Publishing Graeme Henderson is a maritime $44.99, 1 October 2016), maritime archaeologist, former museum director archaeologist Graeme Henderson and the 2002 Western Australian Citizen explores the most famous wrecks of the Year. His discovery at age 16 from across Australia, dating back to of the wreck of the seventeenth- 1622 and as recent as 2010. Readers century Dutch East India Company learn about the oldest known wreck vessel, Vergulde Draeck, sparked a in Australian waters, the Tryal, driven life-long interest in shipwrecks. Graeme into sunken rocks by the inept Captain has published widely on individual Brookes, and the loss of emigrant shipwrecks and those found off the barque Cataraqui, which struck a reef coast of Western Australia; this is his off King Island in the middle of a stormy first book on shipwrecks that occurred night, drowning more than 400 people. Australia-wide. ISBN 9780642278944 Henderson sets the scene for each (Paperback)

54 October 2016 PhotoGALLERY

These photos are from Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany of the float-out and conveyance down the river Ems towards the North Sea of the 151,300-gt cruise ship GENTING DREAM. This new ship for Dream Cruises has an overall length of 335m and is 39.70m wide, has 19 decks with 1674 cabins and passenger capacity of 3,360. The first cruise is scheduled for November.

www.cruisingnews.com 55 Azamara Club Cruises Prepares to Debut New Look Australasia Leadership Team its Second Boutique Ship Down Under RCL Cruises has appointed Kathryn Valk as Director of Sales & Marketing, Neil Linwood as Director of Operations and At the end of August it was just under six months to when Melinda Ryan as Head of Revenue & Planning, completing Azamara Journey will make her Australian debut. Azamara the new-look leadership team for Australia’s fastest-growing Club Cruises CEO Larry Pimentel was on hand making final cruise company. These senior appointments follow the arrangements holding special events for the media and appointment of Adam Armstrong to Managing Director travel agents as well as guests booked on the world cruise. earlier this year whilst Gavin Smith was promoted to Senior Azamara Journey’s maiden Australian season will see the Vice President International. small ship call to Australian ports 21 times; injecting more “We are about to kick off our biggest season ever. As we than $2.85 million into the local economy in passenger begin the countdown to the December arrival of the all- spend alone. The ship will first arrive to Darwin on 8 February new Ovation of the Seas, the biggest thing to ever happen 2017 as part of her Asia repositioning, and stay sailing in to Australian cruising, I am excited to welcome these new the region until early March, offering two Australia & New leaders to our local management team,” said Adam Zealand sailings and a return Asia repositioning voyage. Armstrong. “I’m confident that they will do a tremendous job “When Azamara Journey arrives, she’ll be completely in leading our brands through this milestone season – and unlike the ship you saw last season. She will sail to Australian well into the future,” he concluded. shores refreshed and renewed after a multi-million dollar Kathryn Valk leads the Marketing and Sales functions in revitalization that took place earlier this year,” Pimentel said. Australia & New Zealand. She brings a wealth of experience Azamara Club Cruises’ first ever 102-day World Journey from her previous position as Executive General Manager of begins on 7 March 2018 from Sydney calling at 60 ports in Marketing & Sales with Ardent Leisure Group’s theme park 29 countries. CEO Larry Pimentel and his wife Sandi hosted and attractions division, comprising Dreamworld, Whitewater a special High Tea for Australian and New Zealand guests World and the Skypoint brands. Kathryn has also previously already booked on this voyage at the Langham Hotel in held the position of General Manager at both Creata, a Sydney. global brand activation company working with McDonalds, Shell, Virgin and Kellogg’s, and Build-A-Bear Workshop Australia. Neil Linwood joins with significant cruise industry experience including his most recent role as Managing Director of CLIA Australasia. With over 25 years of experience in a range of industries, previous roles include Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Strategic Development at Carnival Australia as well as senior positions with Pepsi and Hilton International. His new portfolio includes responsibility for Port Operations and Customer Services. Melinda Ryan has been promoted to Head of Revenue Management & Planning Asia Pacific, rounding out the new commercial team. Mel established Royal Caribbean’s Australian revenue team when the office opened in 2009, and now steps into an expanded tri-branded role which includes Celebrity and Azamara, managing deployment, revenue planning and air planning. Before joining RCL, Mel worked in revenue management roles for a number of international hotels. Strategic Changes to Brand Leadership Team Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. recently announced strategic changes to its brand leadership team to further align the Company’s organizational structure with its goal to drive sustained growth and profitability. Bob Binder has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Cruises, in addition to his current role as Vice Chairman of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which he has held since 2011. Prior to that, Binder served as President of Oceania Cruises, where he played a key role in the development and design of new Oceania ships and new restaurant concepts for the line. In addition, Andy Stuart, President of Norwegian Cruise line, and Jason Montague, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will add the title of Chief Executive Officer to their expanded roles with their respective brands, effective immediately. “One of Norwegian’s main strengths is the strong and deep bench of talent across our executive team,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “The focus and dedication that these leadership changes bring to each of our brands will further align our organizational structure with the unique needs of each brand and will enhance the overall performance of our company by creating even more exceptional vacation experiences across our fleets, strengthening our relationships with our travel partners and optimizing results to position the company for future growth.”

56 October 2016 Qld Policy Leaders Series – Tourism Aqua Opens Office Over a breakfast held in Brisbane AQUA Expeditions has opened a recently there was an insightful call centre within the Sydney-based discussion on the future of tourism in offices of Travel the World Group. The Queensland. The panel, Julieanne expansion is due to the market’s strong Alroe, CEO and Managing Director, bookings for its Amazon and Mekong Brisbane Airport Corporation, Daniel cruises. Also Milly Alva Haimberger, Gschwind, CEO, Queensland Tourism Director of Sales and Marketing for Industry Council and Ann Sherry Aqua Expeditions, has advised that AO, Executive Chairman, Carnival Vera Lett has moved to London to Australia highlighted the opportunities take care of their European partners and challenges for tourism in the and clients and Benjamin Seelos has future. It also examined the key policy joined the Singapore office as Country issues to be addressed to ensure the Manager Singapore and he will be the tourism industry is afforded every main point of contact for Asia Pacific opportunity to contribute to the partners. State’s economic and social growth. also considered and the need for The panel focussed on the need for innovation and sustainability to be Sad Passing of James Patrick improved tourism product quality and the key drivers for the future. As an The cruise and travel industry has been to provide an authentic experience industry, more training and education saddened by the death of James for visitors – “where Australians go”. is required, to reskill and reframe the Patrick. James was co-owner with his The advantages of something unique, attraction of a career in tourism and to wife Diane of Sydney-based Wiltrans for example, Tasmania’s MONA were instil a culture of good service. International.

Special Ambassadors Champion Olympians Cate and Bronte food and wine themed cruise to talk Cate and Bronte hosted an exclusive Campbell were recently making a about healthy eating in their role Uncle Tobys’ breakfast with guests splash onboard P&O Cruises’ Pacific as Uncle Tobys’ ambassadors, the and took part in healthy breakfast Dawn with the swimming sisters taking sisters drew a big crowd at a special presentations to passengers over the some time out on the high seas on Q&A session with guests, afterwards three days, discussing Uncle Tobys’ their first ever cruise. The popular duo signing autographs and giving fellow role in nourishing the active Australian enjoyed their first swim since they passengers the chance to wear their lifestyle. Also they raised more than left the Olympic pool in Rio taking Olympic medals. a dip in Pacific Dawn’s pool before $700 for P&O’s charity Save the trying their hand at some of the top The sisters also made waves on the Children through the special Uncle deck P&O Edge Adventure Park bridge, with the ship’s Captain and Tobys’ breakfast and a passenger activities including the flying fox and crew giving them a special tour during auction of a swimming costume segways. Onboard the three-night their time onboard. donated by the girls.

Bronte & Cate having a chat Pacific Dawn Captain Dockeray wearing Bronte and Cate Campbell’s Olympic Medals

New Australasian gsa for Hurtigruten Bentours have been appointed general sales agent for Hurtigruten in Australia and New Zealand. They take over from Discover the World. A dedicated Hurtigruten team has been established to sell and market the product across the industry.

CLIA Global Announces CLIA Australasia Managing Director Transition Cruise Lines International Association Vice President of Grand Circle Cruise (CLIA) has announced that Joel Katz Line in the UK and supported the will join CLIA Australasia as Managing expansion of Grand Circle’s ocean Director, effective January 1, 2017. Mr ship business, driving excellence Katz will oversee strategic direction through the ocean cruise organisation. and government relations for the Prior to his role with Grand Circle, organisation, as the region continues Mr Katz worked in Australia as Chief to see unprecedented growth. Mr Katz Operating Officer for Orion Expedition joins CLIA with more than 25 years of Cruises, and for both Hyatt and international experience in the travel Marriott hotel companies. Joel Katz industry. attended the recent Cruise360 in Most recently, he served as Executive Sydney.

www.cruisingnews.com 57 Cruise New Zealand Conference Debbie Summers, newly elected chair of Cruise New Zealand said “The conference was a resounding success. With record stakeholder attendance this critical cruise forum galvanised rigorous debate, gave precious future economic insights and our invited prominent speakers were extremely well received.” The 2016 conference with 135 remains dependent on for cruises that Zealand simply because of passenger delegates in attendance was held homeport out of there. However, these demand. New Zealand is currently at in Wellington with Azamara’s Larry are not new issues, and the sector a critical point where infrastructure Pimentel as the keynote speaker. continues to show resilience against in some areas is not catering to Retiring Chairman Kevin O’Sullivan these obstacles to growth. Perhaps demand – New Zealand cruise regions welcomed delegates and presented the wider growth experienced by need to provide safe berths that the Economic Impact Report. He said the global cruise sector, especially can accommodate the ships that “New Zealand delivered its largest the surging growth in the Asia Pacific are coming, and many of them are ever season on record in the 2015-2016 region is exerting a stronger influence getting bigger. New Zealand’s costs cruise season and welcomed not only than anything that local challenges of operation need to make financial nine ships new to New Zealand in the present. sense. Increasing levies and charges 2015-2016 season, but also received Globally, the cruise sector is growing. do not do New Zealand any favours. 254,409 passengers and 91,900 crew Cruise Lines International Association Larry Pimentel’s presentation had who visited New Zealand across 138 is projecting 2016 to have 24.2 million delegates looking for more. He said voyages making a total of 703 port ocean-going cruise passengers, “New Zealand is one of my favourite visits. The economic activity generated another year of growth, up 4.3% from destinations, everyone wants to see by passengers, crew and ship totalled the year before. If shipbuilding orders it – the marketing of New Zealand a direct spend of NZD 645 million which are to be of any guidance, this growth is brilliant.” He suggested that more contributed NZD 484 million to New is set to continue with 78 ships totalling cruise lines should be encouraged to Zealand’s GDP and supported 8,748 250,000 lower berths on order over the schedule overnight stays and more pre jobs. This represented a growth of 26% next ten years. and post cruise packages developed in passenger arrivals and 22% in crew and that the unique Maori heritage Australia’s strong rate of growth as arrivals, with a corresponding growth and its food and wine highlighted. a source market has been the main Larry suggested every cruise ship visitor of 18% in passenger port days and 7% driver of New Zealand’s growing cruise in crew port days, which collectively should be introduced to the Te Papa sector, and will continue to make up museum – see story on page 43. generated an increase of 11% in value around half of the volume into the Michael Mihajlov, Director, Destination added from the season before.” He country. However New Zealanders Management, Carnival Australia went on to report “The 2016-2017 cruise will also continue to play a growing spoke about their various brands season will welcome eleven ships new significant role in the size of New working in partnership with New to New Zealand but will contract by Zealand’s cruise sector, when given the 8% in passenger numbers, albeit with Zealand and Anita Hodson, Director chance. minimal impact on value added (+1%). of Nautical and Port Operation for This is due to the exit of Pacific Pearl’s Forecasts produced by Market Crystal Cruises detailed the cruise winter cruising program, which has Economics for Cruise New Zealand lines plans for the future for New traditionally carried New Zealanders, have always been based on forward Zealand and internationally. Hodson who have a comparatively low spend cruise bookings and the cruise sector a proud Kiwi who left some 20 years profile. At the time of analysis, the in New Zealand is headed for more ago and last visited seven years 2017-2018 season was scheduled growth over time where higher highs ago spent a number of days prior to welcome another four ships new and lows will be recorded regardless to the conference on a famil being to New Zealand, and rise to a new of the rate of growth. However, reacquainted with her homeland. record, with 11% growth in passenger cruise’s growth should not be taken for Adam Armstrong from Royal numbers and 11% growth in value granted, as cruise lines will not visit New Caribbean joined the speakers for an added, on the 2015-2016 season. Forecasts to 2018 do illustrate good growth but the rate of growth is slowing. Previously accounting for a growth rate of 5 times over the last ten years, it is now growing at a rate of 4 times over the last ten years.” Despite the record forecasts for the 2017-2018 cruise season, the rate of growth will reduce to three times over the previous ten years. In conclusion the Impact Report spelt out that New Zealand is facing infrastructural constraints and rising costs of operation which have the potential to cap the growth the country had been experiencing over the last ten years. Compounding the issue of the potential to plateau growth is Sydney’s continued congestion, which New Zealand

58 October 2016 interesting panel discussion and later another panel discussion featuring local tour operators talking about succeeding with cruise. There was also much time for networking for delegates. The 2017 conference will be held at the Auckland Museum on 24 and 25 August. Larry Pimentel and Debbie Summers The new Board met for the first time Michael Mihajlov shortly after the AGM and Conference and are already working hard at an advocacy level tackling issues such as infrastructure, environmental, hotel & transportation challenges. Board members are: Debbie Summers – Chair, Karen Thompson-Smith – Deputy Chair, Peter Brown, Craig Harris, Sean Marsh, Ian McNabb, Tony Petrie and Leigh Robins – Kevin O’Sullivan Tansy Tompkins (not in picture).

Anita Hodson

New Zealand Set to Welcome Record Number of Cruise Ships New Zealand will welcome a record popularity as an international cruise Princess, sails into Milford Sound and number of cruise ships to its shores this destination as well as continuing PO Cruises Pacific Aria arrives in summer, including an unprecedented growth in New Zealand passenger Auckland; the first international ship nine ships making their inaugural calls numbers. Official CLIA figures show call for the summer season when to the country. Among the visitors close to 70,000 New Zealanders took a Celebrity Solstice returns to Auckland will be the largest ship to sail to New cruise in 2015 – a 10 per cent increase on 4 October; the NZ debut of Holland Zealand – Royal Caribbean’s 167,000 on the previous year. “New Zealand’s America Line’s Maasdam in Tauranga tonne Ovation of the Seas – as well popularity as one of the world’s hottest on 20 November; the inaugural call as the youngest and most luxurious cruise destinations will be clearly of the largest ship to visit NZ, Royal ship ever to cruise local waters, the evident this summer,” Mr Jardine said. Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, boutique Seabourn Encore, which “Not only will there be more ships arriving in Fiordland on 21 December, will arrive in New Zealand just one visiting than ever before, there will be followed by Dunedin on 22 December. month after she is officially named in scores of inaugural calls around the Ovation of the Seas, which was Singapore. country as cruise lines extend their launched earlier this year, will make eight maiden calls in total; the NZ Detailing the upcoming cruise season, itineraries to take in a wider range debut of the ultra-luxury Seabourn Cruise Lines International Association of beautiful ports around the North Encore in Milford Sound on 9 February (CLIA) Australasia Commercial Director and South Islands. It’s going to be followed by Oban on 10 February, Brett Jardine said a record 33 ships an exciting summer for communities the first two of 10 maiden calls; the from CLIA member cruise lines would around the country as they welcome maiden visit of the luxury Azamara be cruising New Zealand waters these wonderful ships and share in Journey, arriving in Milford Sound on between 1 October 2016, and 30 April the economic benefits that flow from 28 February and Dunedin on 1 March, 2016 – a significant increase on the cruise tourism,” Mr Jardine said. the first of 10 maiden calls; the debut 28 ships which visited over the same The start of the cruise season on 1 of the 92,000-tonne Norwegian Star period last year. Between them, the October coincides with the beginning in Dunedin on 13 February, the first of ships will make more than 600 calls of the local cruise industry’s first ever seven maiden NZ calls; the maiden to ports around the country. The visits Cruise Month promotion, which will NZ visit of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Europa will include close to a dozen maiden see cruise lines offering great deals 2 which will debut in Auckland on 20 port calls for cruise lines at destinations through cruise specialist travel agents. December and make eight inaugural including Stewart Island, Wellington Highlights of the peak summer period calls around the country and the and Kaikoura, as well as more than 60 include: the first maiden ship calls for inaugural visit of Oceania Cruises’ inaugural port calls for individual ships. the summer season on 20 November Sirena which will arrive in Dunedin on Mr Jardine said the record season when the largest Princess ship to visit 17 April 2017 and make six maiden reflected the nation’s growing NZ this summer, the 3082-guest Emerald calls to local ports.

www.cruisingnews.com 59 Australian Cruise Association Conference The 20th anniversary Australian Cruise Association conference was held in Sydney at the Four Seasons Hotel from 7-9 September 2016. Themed “20 years – Our People, Our Passion, Our Success”, the Conference celebrated the role of the Association’s members in the successful growth of the cruise industry in the region and explored the opportunities for growth over the next 20 years. 131 delegates attended the conference in contrast to 50 delegates at the 2005 conference.

In her opening address Jill Abel, ship visits to Australia is the aggregation Maritime Organization in relation to CEO of ACA told of the early days of all international passenger and current regulations and upcoming of the association then known as crew expenditure and cruise ship programs covering all parts of the Cruise Down Under when there were expenditure at each port visited by world. 16 members. She paid tribute to a cruise ship. In 2015-16 this direct Cruise industry pioneer, Ted Blamey, Mike Bartlett and his leadership in expenditure totalled $1.735 billion. founder of Chart Management developing the association. Keynote international speakers Consultants and long serving member Stephen Bradford, ACA Chairman, included Edie Rodrigues, CEO Crystal of the Association looked at the highly outlined the role of the association for Cruises, who said that she is bullish and important Asian region showing several the future and presented the latest passionate about all things Australia charts with the details of progress and economic impacts from the 2015-16 with the luxury cruise market very the possible future of the Asian market. Report prepared by the AEC Group. robust and growing at a rapid fire. Debbie Summers, chair of Cruise New Now in its 12th year the report looks at It is all about itinerary planning and Zealand provided a report on the the changing economics of the cruise there is potential to grow the cruise New Zealand market and their key industry observing key indicators in season beyond the summer season for indicators. context with the current environment the international lines. However “you Jonathan O’Dea New South Wales which helps the association and its have to set up the right infrastructure MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, members understand the size, growth and offer authentic and creative Tourism and Major Events, informed and economic significance of the experiences as Australia is expensive” delegates of the importance of Sydney industry to the Australian economy she said. as a marquee port and that regional to assist with future planning and Captain Michael McCarthy, Chair ports are crucial for forward planning. strategy. The report noted growth in of Cruise Europe and Commercial However he had no answers for future several significant areas of the cruise Manager for the Port of Cork Sydney port Infrastructure. sector – 40 ports were visited in the Company Ireland, provided an The Port Authority of NSW coo and last year – up from 31 in 2014-15 which insight into the European cruise harbour master Philip Holliday said means good news for regional ports; environment including the impact of there was no slowing down of the there were 2,762,000 passenger days recent political developments such as demand for berthing in Sydney and in ports, up from 2,400,000 last year; Brexit and increasing security threats with the upgrades at the OPT two small Passenger expenditure increased to and Bruce Anderson, environmental ships can be accommodated at the $1.069 billion from $930 million the expert from Starcrest Consulting in same time. He also mentioned that the year before and crew expenditure Seattle presented an in-depth slide handling of two large ships in the one also increased to $103 million from $87 presentation which included the day at the OPT is being investigated. million. The economic impact of cruise requirements of the International John McKenna, gm of cruise at the

Jill Abel Edie Rodrigues Capt Michael McCarthy Ted Blamey Debbie Summers Prof Ross Dowling Stephen Bradford

60 October 2016 Mike Bartlett, Helen & Partick Hutcheon Tony Boddick & Cassandra Bartlett & Karen Davies Paul Mifsud, Julie O’Brien & Stephen Bradford Port Authority of NSW told delegates Olsen discussed the importance are promoting the destination. that in order to address the current of Destination Development and Delegates appreciated the time for reality in Sydney they need to change how the brand and identity need to networking and getting to know one the way we do business. deliver on the promise to meet visitor another. It was another conference of Matt McInnes from Tourism Australia expectations. He was supported by a excellent content and demonstrated told of their vision to make Australia panel from Newcastle – David Brown, the strong voice ACA provides to its the most desirable destination on earth Eden – Natalie Godward and Karen membership. and one of TA’s eight ideas to consider Sweeney – Gladstone, each looking is to embrace and promote the new at how they are supporting the visitor The 2017 Conference will be held on Aussie Special Cruise Module. experience on shore. Professor Ross the Sunshine Coast from 6-9 September Earthcheck GM, Consulting, Mark Dowling looked at how ACA members at Mooloolaba.

Showcasing NSW Produce Over 25 food and beverage producers the state. and wood roasted lamb from the from Sydney and NSW gathered to The following day, attendees Moran Family Farm, Bathurst were showcase their outstanding produce welcomed a very special guest – served. and experiences to Australian Cruise renowned Australian chef, Mark Best “Our goal this year was to reflect the Association Conference attendees. (Pei Modern). Best spoke on his role high standard and wide range of Destination NSW and the Port Authority with the Culinary Council for Holland produce, cruise passengers are now of NSW hosted Flavours of NSW at the America Line. enjoying. From fabulous wines and Cargo Hall in the Overseas Passenger The Gala Dinner, sponsored by craft beers to locally grown and raised Terminal at Circular Quay. Some of Abercrombie and Kent, was also a meats, vegetables, fruits and dairy the key producers included Pepe highlight for attendees. It began with a products – I am sure our Conference Saya and their renowned butter, fireworks display over Sydney Harbour attendees left with a new appreciation Australia’s Oyster Coast serving freshly followed by dinner at the Opera Point of all that NSW has to offer” said shucked oysters from the NSW South Marquee presented by ARIA catering. Australian Cruise Association CEO, Jill Coast, Zokoko Chocolate sampling Guests were treated to a menu Abel. single origin chocolate from the Blue designed by renowned Australian Mountains and N2 Extreme Gelato Each year the Association also pays serving a flash frozen gelato dessert chef, Matt Moran showcasing the best tribute to a philanthropic organisation designed exclusively for the event of NSW produce with wines supplied working in the Conference location. and featuring indigenous ingredients by cool climate vintners See Saw in At the final breakfast this year, Orange from regional NSW. Also Archie Rose Orange and Glandore Estate Wines in Sky Laundry discussed their successes Distillery created bespoke cocktails for the Hunter Valley. and challenges providing the world’s the occasion and Dave’s Brewery Tours Buffalo mozzarella from Marrickville, first free mobile laundry service for the served beers from six breweries across whole roasted chicken from Tenterfield homeless.

www.cruisingnews.com 61 (L to R) CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz, CLIA global President and CEO Cindy D’Aoust and CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell The official Conference of the passengers expected to cruise this year featured senior cruise executives, Australasian Cruise Industry, Cruise360 represents only 2% of global holiday- Jennifer Vandekreeke, Sarina Bratton, – A Panoramic View of Cruising, makers. She said “There is unlimited Adam Armstrong and Harry Sommer presented by Cruise Lines International potential for growth and agents discussing ‘How Industry Trends are Association (CLIA), was held in Sydney who build their brand and let their Impacting Decisions’ and Michael at the Star Event Centre on Friday customers know what you specialise Mihajlov, Marc Miller, Barry Brown and 16 September, attended by 450 in – personalise – know what your John Conceicao regarding ‘Destination delegates. Cruise360 is now established customers want – invest in yourself and Development’. as an annual event, designed to CLIA training.” Cindy provided valuable The third panel session featured Debra engage and inform with sessions insight into where the cruise industry is Fox, Andy Harmer, Phil Smethurst and addressing issues and trends that are placed in 2016 and updates on CLIA’s Michael McQueen who analysed travel topical, interesting and relevant to the vision for the future. She also mentioned agency needs including reference retail trade and other cruise industry the need for CLIA to give back and the to sales, marketing and destination stakeholders. partnership formed with Mercy Ships concepts. It was noted how social to endorse their initiatives to deliver In welcoming the attendees to media was becoming increasingly healthcare to developing nations and the largest dedicated B2B cruise critical for the success of an agency. conference in the Southern make CLIA global members aware of Hemisphere, recently elected the international non-profit’s mission Peter Kollar, Head of Training and Chairman of CLIA Australasia, Steve and efforts. A video was shown on how Development for CLIA Australasia, Odell said “10 years ago when I Mercy Ships use hospital ships to deliver spoke on how agents can build their was Chairman there were 221,000 free, world-class healthcare services, business through accreditation with Australian cruise passengers compared capacity building and sustainable over 30 hours of training programs to more than one million now.” He went development to those without access available, 1,000 pages of content, 197 on to say “Where to now? Our target is in the developing world. videos and 158 downloadable pdf’s. two million passengers by 2020 which Jonathan O’Dea New South Wales Cruise360 was also very valuable for will be a 7.6% market penetration.” MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, the time available for networking and Odell told delegates that Sydney Tourism and Major Events, delivered visiting the trade show which featured remains the key port in Australia “we a keynote address saying the NSW 31 exhibitors. just want another berth somewhere Government is committed to support Press Briefing – Prior to Cruise360 CLIA east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.” he the growth of the cruise industry President and ceo Cindy D’Aoust held said “To achieve this CLIA will continue supported by world class infrastructure. a press briefing to outline CLIA’s three to work with authorities.” Also he noted He said “Challenges are not easy main goals and to introduce CLIA that Sydney is still one of the most to address and the government will Australasia’s newly appointed md, expensive ports in the world. work with CLIA.” He went on to quote Joel Katz, who officially commences CLIA Global President & CEO Cindy industry figures that were already duties in January 2017. Cindy said “The D’Aoust on her first visit to Sydney told known and said there will be a 25 year main goals are to create a global delegates of the enormous potential plan. The address was disappointing. organisation, unify the industry and for continued growth with the 24 million Thought provoking panel sessions enhance value to members.”

Cruise360 Australasia 2016 Cruise Line panel session Cruise360 Australasia 2016 trade show

Andy Harmer Barry Brown Deb Fox John Conceicao Marc Miller Michael Mihajlov Peter Kollar Phil Smethurst

62 October 2016 in Asia and Europe and destination their organisation has grown from development. one van with two washer/dryers to an Robust discussion was held around extensive operation across multiple port infrastructure, capacity and Australian locations offering mobile partnerships for the growth of the laundry services for the homeless. industry which according to our ACA made a donation to Orange Sky Economic Impact Report released at and we hope to see them again on the Conference contributed $1.734B in the beautiful Qld Sunshine Coast which direct expenditure in the last year. has been announced as our 2017 The Gala Dinner at the Opera Point Conference location. Marquee, sponsored by Abercrombie & Kent, was a stylish celebration From the ACA desk: complete with fireworks. Dinner was provided by ARIA catering with a A record 131 menu designed by Matt Moran and delegates attended enjoyed with wines from regional our 20th Anniversary producers, Glandore Estate and See Conference in Saw. early September in Sydney. The At that event, we welcomed three event began with a fabulous night at new honorary lifetime members, recognised for their outstanding Julie O’Brien & Jill Abel the Overseas Passenger Terminal as with Cory Gale (L) & Geoff Peters (R) Destination NSW and Port Authority services to ACA – Richard Doyle, Judy Wood and Evda Marangos. They join NSW hosted “Flavours of NSW” a Our 20th conference is behind us and showcase event for 25 state-wide food Glenn Stephens and Mike Bartlett in that honour. we now look forward to representing and beverage producers. our diverse membership for another 20 Jonathan O’Dea, NSW Parliamentary Lifetime members Judy Wood & years and beyond. We remain focused Secretary for Major Events and Tourism, Richard Doyle with Jill Abel & Stuart on two core objectives: to attract Bradford officially welcomed delegates noting more cruise lines and calls to our ports “NSW continues to grow as a major by marketing Australia as an exciting, international cruise destination, safe, and profitable cruise destination: welcoming a record-breaking 322 and to provide a strong voice for cruise ship visits during 2015/16, with the many and varied businesses the number of ships expected to grow that provide the vital services and by 10 per cent this year.” experiences that are the backbone of The conference program kicked off a successful cruise industry. with Edie Rodriguez, CEO Crystal Further Details – and all media giving us a wonderful insight into luxury enquiries: cruising as she previewed the future for Orange Sky Laundry founders and Jill Abel, Chief Executive Officer their company. Young Australians of the Year, Nic Australian Cruise Association This was followed by many other Marchesi and Lucas Patchett inspired Tel/Fax: +61 3 6223 7334 fascinating and insightful presentations us all with their breakfast presentation Mob: 0419 511 966 on the environment, the cruise sector on Friday morning as they told us how [email protected]

Travelling solo with Voyages to Antiquity If you have travelled on board Aegean to enjoy your meal and indulge in Odyssey, you would have noticed conversation. Lectures on board that they welcome single passengers and going out on shore excursions – in fact, more than 35% of their UK provide the opportunity to get to know passengers travel solo. Every Voyages your fellow passengers. Group shore to Antiquity cruise is carefully designed excursions are one of the most popular to satisfy even the most demanding offerings for solo passengers. There is a of imaginations, taking you right selection of included tours in virtually into the heart and soul of all their every port, you pick your tour, join your destinations. You could be sailing up designated group coach and off you the Guadalquivir River aboard Aegean go. Odyssey, into Seville, the home of Aegean Odyssey has 26 dedicated ¬ flamenco; listening to an award- single cabins with European size beds winning guest speaker program; – all of which are offered on every enjoying a lively performance on sailing with low single fares. These board to really get you in the mood cabins do sell out quickly, but to for your hand-picked shore excursions compensate for that, low or no single – all carefully designed to take you supplement is offered on a range of exactly where you want to go, and all accommodations across selected included in the price. voyages. Reception staff are on hand introducing over twenty-five new The flexible open dining options allow 24-hours a day to offer you help and ports of call in Iceland, Britain and the you to sit with other like-minded advice. Scottish Isles, on our cruise only sailings individuals, giving you the chance For 2017 Voyages to Antiquity are departing from London and Edinburgh.

www.cruisingnews.com 63 Larry Pimentel, Anita Hodson, Adam Armstrong & Michael Mihajlov

I write this article a life time commitment. Conferences en-route from such as these and closer to home such Seatrade Cruise as the Australian Cruise Association, Med 2017 Tenerife CLIA 360 and the Cruise New Zealand onwards to the annual conferences offer productive Florida Caribbean forums to network and debate, to figure Cruise Association out as a collective how we can help Conference in one another nurture and grow yet more Puerto Rico. You may well wonder why within this high impacting, high profile, highly demanding industry. someone from New Zealand would be as Chair of Cruise New Zealand. We attending such forums? After all these To bring up just one commonality, are a voluntary group made up of conferences could not be further away the Med currently faces critical port Ports, Tour Operators, Port Agents, in distance. Truth is I don’t care where infrastructure challenges. Next season RTOs and Ground Handlers supported the locations of such cruise gatherings Auckland will host its biggest cruise by Tourism New Zealand and Tourism are because the stakeholders attending ship ever, Ovation of the Seas, sadly Industry Aotearoa. You could say we are the same experts world over, the currently this will mean tendering in to run on the smell of an oily rag, but we same clients world over and the issues our marquee port, there is a lot more are determined and have knowledge and solutions discussed often mirror our work to do and limits to overcome in and vision. We were set up 22 years ago own exactly. The key of course, is open order to keep these larger ships/more and active networking, collaboration visitors coming to our shores. Passenger to provide a strong & considered, all- at its best and it is recognised that we comfort and security must be achieved encompassing industry voice for New must achieve this for our continued in tandem to increasing critical Zealand cruise. I would say the same economic cruise success, but more on infrastructure in tandem again with stands today as it did right back then, that later. achieving great passenger experience. however now more than ever with the We encounter common issues Expanding and upgrading our port stakes even higher, working together is throughout the world within the facilities means giving these ships, which the key to success for us all. cruise industry, there are threats and are increasing in size continually, more Debbie Summers challenges that we all face no matter options and more flexibility to develop Chair of Cruise New Zealand what region we operate in. This business more itineraries regionally therefore [email protected] keeping their commitment to this encompasses passionate, like-minded, ** it should be noted that Debbie travelled to region. driven people often who stay within Seatrade Med and FCCA in her role as Executive for their entire careers. You could call it I am just one short month in to this role Director ID Tours New Zealand.

Experience Easter in Spain like a Local One of the most important weeks cathedral, there will be masses with the Passeig de Gràcia, a boulevard on the Spanish calendar is Semana choirs and processions ending at their renowned for its architecture, including Santa, meaning Holy Week or Easter. location. Santa Esglesia Cathedral works by Antoni Gaudí. Your overnight It’s celebrated with an abundance Basilica de Barcelona is located near stay allows time to discover Barcelona of processions, ceremonies and the top of the Ramblas, at Plaza de la on your own, or opt for a tour such as equally well attended masses. This is Seu. an evening performance of flamenco. a spectacular time to visit Spain, and Your first stop, however, should be your Extend your cruise – For an extended Viking’s Passage through Western on-board Explorer’s Desk. The team immersion into Semana Santa at Europe will allow you to experience behind it is your go-to for information. excellent value, a good plan is to book it almost like a local. In 2017, Easter Semana Santa celebrations – If religious yourself a couple of extra days through occurs three weeks later than this year, processions could enter competitions Viking. The Barcelona pre-extension is with Easter Sunday falling on 16 April. in being spectacular, the Spanish already sold out, so a two-night stay This is the day Viking Sea welcomes ones would likely hit the podium. in Madrid starting from Easter Friday, her passengers on board to settle in The processions are organised and also gives you ample time to explore for their 15-day adventure which starts performed by each neighbourhood’s the breathtaking art collection of the with a perfectly timed overnighter in ‘hermandad’, or ‘brotherhood’, and Prado Museum, the sprawling baroque Barcelona. The weather at this time they are fiercely proud of their larger- Plaza Mayor, and so much more. of year is typically mild, making it than-life figures of Jesus and the Virgin The Passage through Western Europe perfect for taking in the many outdoor Mary. These are paraded on floats itinerary includes an overnight stay festivities. called ‘pasos’, carried on the shoulders in Barcelona, followed by stops in Docking centrally – Barcelona puts on of young ‘costaleros’, followed by Granada, Seville, Lisbon, Leixoes, A some spectacular processions during ‘nazarenos’ wearing long, hooded Coruña, Cherbourg, Paris, London, Holy Week. Since Viking Sea docks gowns, and ‘penitents’ carrying a cross Haugesund and Bergen. It’s available just a ten-minute stroll from the start of on their shoulders. from $8,949pp based on the 16 Apr the Ramblas, which is the city’s main Explore Barcelona – The Columbus 2017 departure on board Viking Sea. artery, pulsating with life every day – Monument. Port Vell. Arc de Triomf. The 2-night Madrid pre-extension and in particular during Easter – you’ll Year round, these are just a few of the including top hotel accommodation, have complete cultural immersion monumental sights of Barcelona. Other all breakfasts, and train transportation without even trying. highlights include the Olympic Port, from Madrid to Barcelona is available At the larger churches and the built for the 1992 Olympic Games, and from $949pp.

64 October 2016 AUSTRALIA Golden Princess Nov 11: 6, 17: Darwin Pacific Eden Nov 15, 30: Dec 10, 14, NEW ZEALAND Carnival Legend Jan 11: Celebrity Solstice Oct 16: Nov 6: 18, 28: Jan 9, 13, 17, 25, 28: Feb 2: Auckland Europa2 Jan 14: Sea Princess Oct 17: Emerald Princess Nov 15, 28: Dec Costa Luminosa Oct 20: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 22, 29: Legend of the Seas Oct 21: 12, 19: Jan 2, 10, 21: Feb 1: Sea Princess Oct 30: Dec 1: Jan 15: Akaroa Voyager of the Seas Oct 23: Astor Dec 1: Dawn Princess Nov 1: Dec 5, 18: Noordam Nov 3, 13: Dec12: Jan 9: Sun Princess Oct 28: Nov 26: Jan 15: The World Dec 30-Jan 3: Jan 12, 25: Feb 9: Maasdam Oct 31: Crystal Symphony Dec 31: Jan Noordam Nov 8: Dec 17: Jan 14: Sea Princess Nov 3: Dec 5: Golden Princess Nov 4: 19/20: Feb 9: Feb 14: Celebrity Solstice Nov 19: Dec 14: Radiance of the Seas Nov 8: Europa2 Jan 5/6: Pacific Aria Nov 18: Jan 19, 29: Seven Seas Voyager Dec 30: Sea Princess Jan 11: Emerald Princess Nov 24: Dec 23: Emerald Princess Nov 20: Dec 28: Port Douglas Seven Seas Voyager Jan 12: Feb 4: Astor Nov 27: Jan 15: Sea Princess Oct 20: Nov 24: Dec Silver Whisper Feb 5: Maasdam Dec 2: Jan 2, 29: Pacific Aria Nov 22: 15: Melbourne Europa2 Dec 20: Jan 12/13, 19: Maasdam Nov 26: Dec 8, 27: Jan 6: Voyager of the Seas Oct 26: Carnival Spirit Oct 25: Nov 1-3: Crystal Symphony Dec 21: Jan 16: Radiance of the Seas Nov 28: Dec Pacific Dawn Nov 16: Dec 4: Radiance of the Seas Oct 26: Nov Seven Seas Voyager Jan 26: 21: Jan 11: Feb 4: Sun Princess Jan 18: 23: Jan 26: Silver Whisper Jan 27: Dawn Princess Dec 1, 14: Jan 8, 21: Yorkey’s Knob Noordam Oct 27: Nov 19: Feb 2: Tauranga Golden Princess Dec 12, 25: Jan 7, Sea Princess Oct 22: Costa Luminosa Oct 29: Sea Princess Oct 31: Dec 2: 23: Feb 5: Pacific Dawn Nov 15: Dec 13: Pacific Jewel Oct 31: Nov 1-2: Dec Noordam Nov 7, 9: Dec 16: Jan 13: Crystal Symphony Dec 26: Jan 12: Cairns 3, 9, 12, 16, 29: Jan 9, 13, 25, 28: Feb 13: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 21, 30: Celebrity Solstice Oct 13: Nov 9: Feb 1: Pacific Aria Nov 19: Legend of the Seas Jan 23: Pacific Eden Oct 22, 25: Nov 4, 11: Pacific Pearl Oct 31: Nov 1-2: Jan Celebrity Solstice Nov 21/22: Dec Dunedin Dec 23: 21: 10: Jan 22, 26: Noordam Nov 2, 14: Dec 11: Jan Sun Princess Oct 23: Nov 21: Pacific Dawn Nov 1-2: Crystal Symphony Dec 22: Jan 15: 8: Feb 8: Maasdam Oct 26: Emerald Princess Nov 13: Dec 14: Emerald Princess Nov 23: Dec 24: Sea Princess Nov 4: Dec 6: Radiance of the Seas Nov 5: Jan 7: Maasdam Nov 30: Dec 4, 31: Jan Celebrity Solstice Nov 18: Dec 15: Sea Princess Nov 23: Dec 14: Golden Princess Nov 14, 20; Dec 4, 3, 27: Jan 18, 30: Pacific Aria Jan 1, 30: 17, 30: Jan 12, 18, 31: Feb 13: Dawn Princess Dec 4, 17: Jan 11, 24: Emerald Princess Nov 19: Dec 29: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 5: Maasdam Nov 16: Dec 14, 19: Jan Europa2 Jan 16: Jan 14: Europa2 Jan 28/29: 12, 17: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 24, 27: Pacific Aria Nov 24: Maasdam Nov 25: Dec 9, 26: Jan Townsville Celebrity Solstice Nov 29: Dec 21: Silver Whisper Jan 28: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 7: Jan 14: Gisborne 7, 22: Radiance of the Seas Nov 27: Dec Brisbane Sun Princess Dec 13: Sea Princess Dec 3: 22: Jan 10: Feb 5: Pacific Aria Oct 21, 28, 31: Nov 10, The World Dec 25-28: Golden Princess Dec 10, 23: Jan 5, Dawn Princess Nov 30: Dec 13: Jan 14, 28: Dec 9, 16, 19, 29: Jan 5, 12, Europa2 Jan 3: 25: Feb 7: 7, 20: 16, 27: Feb 3: Crystal Symphony Jan4/5/6: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 23: Golden Princess Dec 13, 26: Jan 8, Pacific Dawn Oct 22, 29: Nov 5, 12, Seven Seas Voyager Jan 14: Silver Whisper Jan 29: 22: Feb 4: 19, 26, 29: Dec 3, 10, 17, 20, 27: Jan Dawn Princess Feb 3: Napier Ovation of the Seas Dec 22: Jan 7, 14, 21, 24, 28: Feb 4: Hobart Sea Princess Nov 1: 3, 19: Sun Princess Oct 19: Nov 18: Jan Carnival Spirit Oct 22: Jan 27: Noordam Nov 6, 10: Dec 15: Jan Crystal Symphony Dec 27: Jan 11: 22: Feb 2: Radiance of the Seas Oct 28: Nov 12: Feb 12: Europa2 Jan 11: Maasdam Oct 23: Nov 18: 23: Jan 22: Pacific Aria Nov 20: Carnival Legend Jan 12: Sea Princess Oct 26: Nov 9, 20, 27: Noordam Oct 29: Feb 4: Celebrity Solstice Nov 21/22: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 20, 31: Dec 1, 18, 28: Jan 8: Dawn Princess Nov 4, 24: Jan 31: Emerald Princess Nov 22: Legend of the Seas Jan 24: Voyager of the Seas Oct 30: Sun Princess Nov 13/14: Maasdam Nov 29: Dec 5, 30: Jan Radiance of the Seas Nov 2: Emerald Princess Nov 17: Dec 16: 4, 26: NEW CALEDONIA Legend of the Seas Nov 6, 13, 21: Jan 5: Dawn Princess Dec 3, 16: Jan 10, 23: Noumea Dec 2, 5, 13, 22, 30: Jan 6, 15, 29: Maasdam Nov 21: Dec 22: Jan 10: Crystal Symphony Jan 14: Pacific Jewel Oct 15: Nov 10, 24: Feb 8: Pacific Jewel Dec 1: Europa2 Jan 16: Dec 25: Jan 17: Golden Princess Nov 9: Ovation of the Seas Dec 13, 18: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 28: Carnival Legend Oct 16, 25: Nov 4, Seven Seas Voyager Jan 9: Jan 25: Wellington 14, 23: Dec 3, 14, 20: Jan 4, 24: Europa2 Jan 24: Celebrity Solstice Dec 19: Feb 3: Costa Luminosa Oct 22: Carnival Spirit Oct 17: Nov 8, 19, 29: Newcastle Europa2 Dec 26: Sea Princess Nov 2: Dec 4: Dec 6, 13, 26: Jan 1, 13, 20: Feb 4: Silver Whisper Feb 4: Golden Princess Jan 14: Noordam Nov 5, 11: Dec 14: Jan Maasdam Oct 17: Sydney Pacific Eden Jan 31: 11: Feb 11: Pacific Dawn Oct 19, 24: Nov 7, 21: Celebrity Solstice Oct 8: Nov 14, 27: Carnival Legend Feb 1: Celebrity Solstice Nov 21/22: Dec Dec 5, 22: Jan 9, 16, 30: Dec 23: Jan 4, 12: Feb 5: Burnie 13: Jan 20, 28: Radiance of the Seas Oct 21: Radiance of the Seas Oct 9, 17, 24, Sun Princess Nov 12: Dec 12: Pacific Aria Nov 21: Noordam Oct 22: Nov 25: Dec 24: 31: Dec 3, 26: Jan 6, 20, 28: Feb 9: Maasdam Nov 15: Dec 13, 20: Jan Maasdam Nov 28: Dec 6, 29: Jan Jan 21: Carnival Legend Oct 11, 19, 28: 13, 18: 5, 25: Pacific Aria Oct 23: Dec 1, 11: Jan Nov 7, 17, 26: Dec 6, 17, 27: Jan 7, Noordam Nov 18: Dawn Princess Dec 2, 15: Jan 9, 22: 7, 19: 17, 27, 30: Feb 3: Europa2 Dec 29: Golden Princess Dec 11, 24: Jan 6, Pacific Pearl Oct 26: Nov 17: Dec 8, Sun Princess Oct 17: Nov 16: Seven Seas Voyager Jan 16: 24: Feb 6: 24: Jan 2, 14: Maasdam Oct 20/21: Nov 18: Dec Dawn Princess Feb 2: Radiance of the Seas Dec 19, Jan Explorer of the Seas Oct 29: Nov 7, 16: Jan 15: Adelaide 2, 12: 16, 26: Dec 5, 19: Jan 9, 17: Feb 1: Carnival Spirit Oct 20, 27, 30: Nov 5, Maasdam Nov 12: Europa2 Dec 22: Jan 15: Voyager of the Seas Nov 11, 22: 13, 22: Dec 2, 10, 18, 29: Jan 8, 16, Radiance of the Seas Nov 21: Jan Ovation of the Seas Dec 23: Jan Dec 4, 17, 23: Jan 2, 15, 22: Feb 3: 24, 29: Feb 7: 24: 4, 16: Sea Princess Nov 12: Jan 5: Pacific Jewel Oct 22, 29: Nov 4, 13, Pacific Jewel Dec 6: Crystal Symphony Dec 24: Jan 13: Dawn Princess Nov 17: Dec 31: 17, 21, 29: Dec1: Jan 1: Sun Princess Dec 10: Emerald Princess Dec 27: Jan 17: Legend of the Seas Nov 18: Dec 16: Noordam Oct 25: Nov 22: Dec 7, Ovation of the Seas Dec 11: Carnival Legend Jan 10: Jan 3, 12: Feb 2: 21: Jan 4, 18, 31: The World Dec 21-23: Legend of the Seas Jan 22: Golden Princess Nov 24: Costa Luminosa Oct 25-27: Europa2 Dec 31: Silver Whisper Jan 30: Pacific Eden Dec 7: Jan 6, 20: Pacific Pearl Oct 29: Nov 4, 7, 11, Fremantle Picton Emerald Princess Dec 9: Jan 24: 14, 24, 28: Dec 2, 5, 13, 17, 27, 30: Costa Luminosa Nov 2: Noordam Nov 4, 12: Dec 13: Jan Celebrity Solstice Dec 27: Jan 7: Jan 8, 11, 19, 24, 27, 30: Sun Princess Nov 4: Dec 3, 5, 18, 21: 10: Feb 10: Ovation of the Seas Jan 31: Dawn Princess Nov 1, 6, 20, 26: Dec Jan 5, 8: Celebrity Solstice Nov 21/22: (Data shown, sourced from cruise line 9, 22: Jan 3, 16, 29: Feb 5: Maasdam Nov 7/8: Emerald Princess Nov 21: Dec 26: schedules, port schedules and brochures, Voyager of the Seas Nov 1, 8, 19, Emerald Princess Nov 8: Jan 16: is believed to be correct at time of 30: Dec 13, 20, 28: Jan 5, 19, 31: Radiance of the Seas Nov 16: Maasdam Nov 27: Dec 7, 28: Jan printing – schedules can change at short Feb 12: Ovation of the Seas Dec 6/7: 24: notice and readers should check dates Explorer of the Seas Nov 2, 10, 20, Astor Dec 9, 11, 16, 19, 30: Jan 2, 7, prior to arriving at the locations to see Radiance of the Seas Nov 30: Dec ships – some ships will visit other locations 29: Dec 8, 11, 22: Jan 3, 13, 25: 13, 16, 26, 29: Feb 3: 20: Jan 3, 13: and dates for some ships are incomplete) Feb 4: The World Dec 12-15: Ovation of the Seas Dec 24: Jan (Dunedin = Port Chalmers)

www.cruisingnews.com 65 BOOK REVIEW Now you have read the news Published AWAY with words by Helen Hutcheon Worldwide February, April, June, it is time to book with your August, October & December Australian journalist Helen Hutcheon Publisher/Editor has always had a way with words friendly Worldwide Cruise Cruise Centres John Treacy and words have taken her away on Associate Editor incredible journeys during a 60-year Centres cruise specialist. www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au Kerry Treacy career with P&O Cruises, Woman’s Advertising Day, the Australian Women’s Weekly, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SOUTH AUSTRALIA John Treacy & Associates Vogue Living and Travelweek. The Ph + 61 7 3349 6788 Kingston Travel Makers 02 6223 2780 Felixstow italktravel Glynde 08 8365 0877 PO Box 2005, Mansfield reader travels with Helen from the Mawson Southlands Travel & Cruise 02 6286 5540 Glenside Prestige Travel 08 8338 1223 Queensland 4122, Australia fabulous ‘tent city’ near the ruins NEW SOUTH WALES Kensington Park Enhance Travel 08 8332 4144 SYDNEY Judy Marbrow's Email: [email protected] of Persepolis where the 2,500th Paradise Cruise Booking Centre 08 8231 9414 Castle Hill italktravel Castle Hill 02 9680 2333 TASMANIA Web Site anniversary of the founding of the Camden Macarthur Travel & Cruise Centre 02 4655 7044 www.cruisingnews.com Hobart Hobart Travel & Cruise 03 6234 2699 Persian Empire was celebrated, Chatswood Variety Travel 02 9411 6288 Design & Layout Gordon Northshore Travel 02 9418 2546 Launceston Launceston Cruise Centre 03 6332 1222 to Saigon during the Vietnam Ulverstone Home Travel Company 1300 763 299 Brand Plus – www.brandplus.com.au Hornsby italktravel Hornsby 02 9476 3431 VICTORIA war when Woman’s Day played Hornsby italktravel Hunter St 02 9482 7722 MELBOURNE Proudly Published in Australia by Santa to thousands of orphaned Newport Newport Travel 02 9997 1277 Oatley St George Travel 02 9579 2488 Albert Park Travel Avenue 03 9696 4799 and refugee children, to ‘brown Penrith Panthers World Travel 02 4731 5644 Berwick Cruise & Travel Berwick 03 9707 1700 bagging’ in North Carolina and a Ultimo Ultimate Travel 02 9213 5454 Blackburn Transair International Travel 03 9894 4066 REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES Braeside The World @ Braeside Travel 03 9587 3633 bloodied ending in a search for Bathurst Panorama Cruise & Travel 02 6331 7044 Brighton Holiday World Travel 03 9596 6555 the best curry in Fiji. 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66 October 2016 Now you have read the news it is time to book with your Worldwide friendly Worldwide Cruise Cruise Centres Centres cruise specialist. www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au

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INTRODUCING PACIFIC EXPLORER WITH INTERACTIVE WATERPARK AND WATERSLIDES

Arriving in 2017, Pacific Explorer adds even more excitement to cruise holidays. Thrill the family with exhilarating waterslides or master the art of lawnbowls at sea. There’s no shortage of fun onboard!

PACIFIC EXPLORER ARRIVING JUNE 2017 - BOOK NOW NOW CRUISING FROM SYDNEY, SINGAPORE & CAIRNS POCRUISES.COM.AU/PACIFIC-EXPLOREROFFER ENDS 29 JUNE 2016VISIT | BOOK YOUR LOCAL NOW TRAVELOR MISS AGENT THE BOAT!CALL 1300 159 455 October 2016