The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show Saturday 24 February, 10Am on 89.3FM Superb Fishing in Stunning Seychelles

The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show Saturday 24 February, 10am on 89.3FM Superb fishing in stunning Seychelles

Situated 1000 miles off the east coast of or locked in battle with a sailfish within Africa, the legendary beauty of Seychelles’ the shadow of Silhouette Island, jigging 115 sparkling islands hold the promise of for dogtooth tuna in deep azure water or silver beaches, swaying palms and clear, catching record bonefish on the flats of warm turquoise water. Alphonse – fishing anywhere amid the heart- stopping beauty of Seychelles’ 115 islands Virtually untouched, this island paradise and the fish-rich waters that surround them is proposes not only stunning natural beauty an experience not soon forgotten. but also an enviable island-style existence in which friendliness and harmony come Quite simply, for novice and professional naturally, inviting the visitor to feel alike, Seychelles is the fisherman’s Shangri-là completely safe, totally at ease – and where, day after day, cloudless skies merge wonderfully at home. opulently with a sapphire ocean and where the closest fishing boat is probably hours But, even if it does boast beaches that are away. widely considered to be the most beautiful on earth, Seychelles is far more than just And then there’s the fish – a mixed bag like sea, sun and sand. Its diversity ranges from nowhere else and one that includes black and blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin, dogtooth choose from, (still unexploited due to a towering granite peaks, mist- covered forests jealously-guarded 200 mile fishing zone), and some of the most remarkable flora and and skipjack tuna, bonito, greater barracuda, rainbow runner, giant trevally, green jobfish, the chance of breaking further IGFA records fauna to be found anywhere on earth. Known beckons still across the turquoise banks and as the isles of love, Seychelles is a favourite dorado (mahi mahi) and wahoo. Sport Fishing Magazine mentions the possibility of catching uncharted, ink-blue depths of Seychelles destination for lovers looking for an escape to 1,400,000 km² economic zone. a choice of solitary island hideaways where to one of each on a day’s fishing expedition – truly phenomenal fishing that you’ll find in enjoy complete tranquillity with the bonus of And that’s not all! exceptional diving, trekking and swimming in precious few places on earth. places where few have gone before. Further good news is that Seychelles is a Seychelles’ charter rates are very reasonable year-round fishing destination where the when compared to much of the international Now, Seychelles is preparing itself to make competition, and a number of well-equipped an entry onto the international fishing peak season falls during the northwest trades between October and April. Great vessels with state-of-the art equipment and scene with its first international competition experienced crew are on hand to ensure scheduled for March 2006. The organizers, fishing conditions during this period mean that a daily catch of thirty fish comprising you comfortable and memorable fishing The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and expeditions. IGFA representative for Sardinia and San four different species is not unusual. During Remo Cap. Paulo Sala, plan to kick off with the offshore La Digue fishing tournament, organised by Rotary Club of Seychelles that There’s also a choice of local fishing methods a small competition that will give them worth trying your hand at such as night an opportunity to acquire the expertise took place on 22nd October 2005, 12 boats set out that had, between them, *6 black fishing for pick-handle barracuda and necessary to launch larger events in the palangrotte or bottom-fishing that will catch future. marlin on line. The total catch was 5 tons! During only the past 6 months, over 20 black you bass, bream, grouper, shark, barracuda and blue marlins have been caught on Mahé, and a colourful stream of tasty demersals and The initial 2006 competition will be an other denizens of the coral reefs. event of 2 or 3 days duration during which Praslin, La Digue and Denis Island, with the participants will focus on fishing the waters majority weighing between 300 and 500 pounds. around the island of Mahé, principal island of Whatever your fishing dreams…. you’ll find the Seychelles archipelago, competing at both The south east trades that blow between the that among the friendly islands of Seychelles trolling and palangrotte or bottom-fishing. and amid her myriad, pristine fishing The triangular competition will be fought over months of May and September bring with them the rougher seas favoured by yellowfin grounds…there’s a very good chance indeed three stages: Seychelles, Cuba and Sardinia of bringing them to life. with points being awarded after each stage to tuna, sailfish and the mighty marlin. decide the eventual winner. In recent years Seychelles’ Outer islands have If you are a professional fisherman, or just become something of a Mecca for fly-fishing a keen novice, there can be few places like aficionados the world over, keen to pit their Seychelles where to practice, or learn, the wits against record-breaking bonefish and art of fishing in surroundings of breathtaking trevally to be found on the flats of some of natural beauty. the remoter atolls as well as the sport fish in Whether watching your marlin explode from the blue water just beyond. the surf somewhere on the Amirantes bank, With a vast selection of fishing spots to

The Professional Centre, Suite 1, 189 Ashmore Road, Benowa, Gold Coast QLD 4217 Phone: (07) 555 79 888 | Free Call: 1300 786 888 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.zt.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/zeppelintravel The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show Saturday 24 February, 10am on 89.3FM Cruise Critic Readers Name Best Ships in the Fleet for 2018 It’s become a bit like the Academy Awards Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Eurodam. of Cruising. Cruise Critic released its 2018 Readers’ Choice of best cruise ships in four Best Mid-Size Ship Cabins: Riviera, Disney categories: Large Ships, Mid-Size Ships, Mid- Wonder, Marina, Coral Princess, Grandeur Size Ships, Small-Mid Ships (now that’s a new of the Seas, Norwegian Sun, Oosterdam, category!) and Small Ships. Indeed, the cruise Westerdam, Amsterdam, Rhapsody of the business is no longer just delineated by the Seas. old nomenclature of contemporary, premium and luxury ships. Best Small-Mid Ship Cabins: Viking Sea, Viking Star, Viking Sky, Viking Sun, Seabourn The big winners this year, according to Cruise Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seven Seas Critic readers, are clearly Royal Caribbean, Explorer, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn especially its Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Odyssey, Crystal Serenity. brands, and Viking Cruises. In many cases, ships from these brands literally dominated Best Large Ships for Dining: Celebrity Equinox, some categories completely. But there are Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Reflection, were other winners less well known, such Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Celebrity as Celestyal Crystal, a ship from Celestyal Eclipse, Celebrity Summit, Harmony of the Best Large Ships for Entertainment: Allure Cruises, that was cited a number of Seas, Disney Dream, Liberty of the Seas. of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Disney categories. Dream, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Best Mid-Size Ships for Dining: Marina, Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of Other ships popular with readers included Amsterdam, Grandeur of the Seas, Disney the Seas, MSC Divina, Norwegian Jewel, many of the old “R” vessels, dating from the Wonder, Empress of the Seas, Zuiderdam, Carnival Fantasy. old Renaissance Cruises, but now spread out Rhapsody of the Seas, Oosterdam, Celestyal among several brands, as well as a number Crystal. Best Mid-Size Ships for Entertainment: Disney of expedition vessels. Read on for our “cheat Wonder, Celestyal Crystal, Grandeur of the sheet” list of the Cruise Critic readers’ choice Best Small-Mid Ships for Dining: Viking Seas, Empress of the Seas, Coral Princess, ships: Star, Viking Sky, Viking Sea, Insignia, Crystal Amsterdam, Rhapsody of the Seas, Osterdam, Serenity, Azamara Quest, Sirena, Crystal Norwegian Sun, Zuiderdam. Best Large Ships: Celebrity Equinox (pictured Symphony, Prinsendam, Seabourn Odyssey. above), Harmony of the Seas, Celebrity Best Small-Mid Ships for Entertainment: Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette, Allure of the Best Small Ships for Dining: National Viking Sky, Viking Sea, Crystal Serenity, Pacific Seas, Celebrity Eclipse, Oasis of the Seas, Geographic Explorer, Star Legend, Star Princess, Crystal Symphony, Viking Star, Disney Dream, Celebrity Summit, Adventure Breeze, Silver Galapagos, Wind Surf. Seabourn Quest, Azamara Journey, Seabourn of the Seas. Odyssey, Azamara Quest. Best Large Ships for Embarkation: Harmony Best Mid-Size Ships: Riviera, Disney of the Seas, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Best Small Ships for Entertainment: L’Austral, Wonder, Oceania Marina, Celestyal Crystal, Silhouette, Allure of the Seas, Eurodam, Silver Whisper, Stella Australis, Silver Amsterdam, Coral Princess, Grandeur of Grand Princess, Celebrity Eclipse, Oasis of the Galapagos, Wind Star. the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Osterdam, Seas, Disney Dream, Celebrity Summit. Volendam. Best Large Ships for Fitness & Recreation: Best Mid-Size Ships for Embarkation: Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Oasis Best Small-Mid Ships: Viking Sea, Viking Amsterdam, Maasdam, Marina, Grandeur of of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty Sky, Viking Star, Azamara Quest, Seabourn the Seas, Riviera, Empress of the Seas, Disney of the Seas, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Odyssey, Azamara Journey, Prinsendam, Wonder, Veendam, Volendam, Zuiderdam. Silhouette, Adventure of the Seas, Anthem of Crystal Serenity, Insignia, Pacific Princess. the Seas, Carnival Vista. Best Small-Mid Ships for Embarkation: Pacific Best Small Ships: Silver Galapagos, Stella Princess, Prinsendam, Viking Sun, Viking Best Mid-Size Ships for Fitness & Recreation: Australis, Celebrity Expedition, National Sea, Viking Star, Viking Sky, Azamara Quest, Riviera, Grandeur of the Seas, Marina, Coral Geographic Explorer, Wind Surf. Seabourn Quest, Seven Seas Navigator. Princess, Rhapsody of the Seas, Norwegian Sun, Rotterdam Zaandam, Empress of the Best Large Ship Cabins: Harmony of the Seas, Best Small Ships for Embarkation: Celebrity Seas, Oosterdam. Celebrity Reflection, Anthem of the Seas, Xpedition, Star Legend, Wind Surf, Wind Celebrity Eclipse, Disney Dream, Celebrity Spirit, Silver Shadow. Best Small-Mid Ships for Fitness & Recreation: Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Allure of the Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Sun, Crystal

Serenity, Viking Star, Insignia, Crystal Seas, Carnival Valor, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony, Seven Seas Explorer, Carnival Triumph, Allure of the Seas, Seabourn Quest, Sirena. Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Legend.

Best Small Ships for Fitness & Best Mid-Size Ships for Shore Excursions: Recreation: Wind Spirit, Silver Celestyal Crystal, Grandeur of the Seas, Galapagos, Wind Surf, Celebrity Coral Princess, Empress of the Seas, Xpedition, L’Austral. Amsterdam, Rhapsody of the Seas, Oosterdam, Norwegian Sun, Rotterdam, Best Large Ships for Public Rooms: Westerdam. Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Reflection, Harmony of the Seas, Celebrity Best Small-Mid Ships for Shore Silhouette, Disney Dream, Allure of Excursions: Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking the Seas, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Star, Seabourn Odyssey, Pacific Princess, Solstice, Oasis of the Seas, Regal Insignia, Azamara Quest, Crystal Princess. Serenity, Seven Seas Voyager, Seabourn Quest. Best Mid-Size Ships for Public Rooms: Riviera, Disney Wonder, Marina, Best Small Ships for Shore Excursions: Amsterdam, Grandeur of the Seas, Silver Galapagos, Stella Australis, Celestyal Crystal, Rhapsody of the Seas, Celebrity Xpetition, National Geographic Coral Princess, Oosterdam, Empress of Explorer, L’Austral. the Seas. Best Large Ships for Value: Celebrity Best Small-Med Ships for Public Rooms: Silhouette, Celebrity Equinox, Harmony Viking Sky, Viking Sea, Viking Star, Viking of the Seas, Celebrity Reflection, Allure Sun, Seabourn Quest, Crystal Serenity, of the Seas, Carnival Breeze, Celebrity Azamara Quest, Seven Seas Explorer, Eclipse, Carnival Fantasy, Oasis of the Prinsendam, Insignia. Seas, Celebrity Summit.

Best Small Ships for Public Rooms: Star Best Mid-Size Ships for Value: Celestyal Legend, National Geographic Explorer, Crystal, Amsterdam, Grandeur of the Stalla Australis, Silver Galapagos, Wind Seas, Riviera, Marina, Oosterdam, Coral Star. Princess, Rhapsody of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Disney Wonder. Best Large Ships for Service: Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Best Small-Mid Ships for Value: Viking Reflection, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Sea, Viking Sea, Viking Star, Azamara Summit, Harmony of the Seas, Allure Quest, Crystal Serenity, Pacific Princess, of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Disney Prinsendam, Azamara Journey, Insignia, Dream, Explorer of the Seas. Sirena. Best Mid-Size Ships for Service: Amsterdam, Celestyal Crystal, Riviera, Best Small Ships for Value: Silver Grandeur of the Seas, Disney Wonder, Galapagos, Celebrity Xpetition, Stella Zuiderdam, Marina, Coral Princess, Australis, Wind Spirit, Star Legend. Maasdam, Westerdam. Best Ships for Families: Carnival Breeze, Best Small-Med Ships for Service: Disney Fantasy, Adventure of the Seas, Viking Star, Viking Sky, Viking Sea, Harmony of the Seas, Carnival Fantasy, Sirena, Insignia, Azamara Quest, Pacific Disney Dream, Freedom of the Seas, Princess, Azamara Journey, Crystal Allure of the Seas, Disney Wonder, Symphony, Prinsendam. Serenade of the Seas.

Best Small Ships for Service: Wind Star, Best Ships for First-Timers: Viking Sea, Celebrity Xpetition, Wind Spirit, National Viking Sky, Viking Star, Oasis of the Geographic Explorer, Star Legend. Seas, Carnival Fantasy, Disney Dream, Adventure of the Seas, Harmony of the Best Large Ships for Shore Excursions: Seas, Allure of the Seas, Liberty of the Carnival Breeze, Adventure of the Seas, Seas. Harmony of the Seas, Liberty of the

The Great Barrier Reef has never faced such Local impacts on the Great Barrier Reef are a dire future. Amid increasingly doom-laden also amplified by global climate factors, such headlines, the federal government this as the warming and increased ocean acidity week unveiled a recovery package aimed at caused by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide securing the reef’s prospects. The question levels. is whether this is indeed a rescue, or just a smokescreen of false hope. Focusing purely on local issues risks diverting attention from this wider problem. The The A$60 million recovery package will be unprecedented back-to-back mass bleaching split between various projects: that catastrophically damaged the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017 was a direct • A$36.6 million will be spent on reducing result of global climate change. the runoff of land-based agricultural fertilisers and pesticides onto the reef Preventing this from accelerating further • A$10.4 million will go towards an “all-out requires global and collective action on assault” on the coral-eating crown-of-thorns greenhouse gas emission reductions. As starfish custodian of the Great Barrier Reef, as well • A$4.9 million will fund improved as a major coal exporter and a signatory to monitoring and early warning of issues such the Paris Climate Agreement, Australia has a In this sense it follows parallel calls from the as mass bleaching responsibility to lead from the front to find Queensland government to find new ways to • A$6 million will be spent on a new national alternatives to fossil fuels. boost coral abundance. As such, the federal Reef Restoration and Adaptation program. funding may only be successful if we ensure For this reason, the new funding package that the proposed investment focuses on But what return can we expect for this A$60 has unsurprisingly been criticised for not tackling the priority areas in new ways, rather million investment, which is only 0.1% of the attempting to “cure” the ultimate problem than simply scaling up the current efforts. A$56 billion estimated economic value of the that ails the Great Barrier Reef. Local Great Barrier Reef? interventions such as the ones being funded As the stress builds on the Great Barrier Reef, are often called out for being band-aid one thing is certain: its future will depend Value for money solutions. But the reality is that we need on maximising its resilience. This necessarily At face value, splitting the funding across band-aids more than ever – although perhaps calls for a range of efforts, focusing on several priority areas seems logical. Many “tourniquets” would be more apt. biology, ecosystems, and changing human local stressors, from pollution to overfishing, behaviour – not just defaulting to a single affect the Great Barrier Reef in different Cutting emissions and curbing climate change solution. Intensifying efforts to harness ways and in different places, so tackling must remain our absolute priority. However, corals that are already adapted to extreme them locally seems like a nice direct way to even relatively optimistic emissions reduction conditions will likely be crucial. intervene. scenarios will leave us with warmer and acidic reefs for the coming decades. This And of course, all of this will count for But here’s the problem: these stressors means we will have to think well outside the nothing unless we also take parallel action interact and amplify each other’s effects. This box if we are to ensure that the Barrier Reef to tackle the underlying problem: climate means that spreading the money so thinly is stays great. We cannot deny treatment while change. a risky move, because successfully tackling we attempt to find the cure. any one problem rests on successfully tackling all the others. The problem is that most current local reef interventions are considered too risky or Crown-of-thorns starfish is a great example. too expensive, and are therefore dismissed Even if we can remove or destroy them in without trying them. But unless we try sufficient numbers to make a difference, their alternatives, and are prepared to learn by populations will simply bounce back unless trial and error, how can we find the solutions we also reduce the agricultural pollution that that work? What the government’s new feeds their larvae. Alongside this, we need to package ultimately therefore provides is the ensure that their natural predators such as incentive to innovate. the giant triton mollusc also thrive.

Qantas has been highly profitable over the past two years following its financial turnaround but it faces massive outlays on new aircraft, according to a detailed report by one of the world’s foremost ratings agencies, which compares Qantas and its rival Virgin Australia.

S&P (Standard and Poor’s) suggests Qantas may have put off spending on new aircraft for too long and says its rival Virgin Australia has a newer and simpler fleet.

Over the three years to fiscal 2017, the average age of the Qantas fleet increased by two years despite a constant level of invested capital, it says.

“Aircraft investment within the Australian airline industry has been subdued since the bloody and protracted capacity war that ended in May 2014,” the report states.

It says lower investment has eased funding pressures while improving domestic market fundamentals, which has let Qantas and Virgin Australia “lick their wounds and restore profitability”.

The report says a sizable funding task potentially looms for Qantas and it may start when the airline starts paying company tax again. It says the Qantas Sale Act and the airline’s financial framework may restrict funding sources. According to S&P, Qantas has not paid company tax since fiscal 2011 despite record profitability. It says the remaining AUD 951 million of tax losses carried forward should offset tax for another year or two, then the resumption of company Any cash windfall would help Virgin’s financial Qantas, however, is critical of the S&P tax payments may coincide with a fleet self-sufficiency, the analysis says. conclusions. A report in Melbourne’s Age renewal from fiscal 2020. quoted a Qantas spokesman saying the report “It may also provide Virgin Australia with ignored the fundamentals of its business and The situation facing Virgin Australia is additional balance sheet capacity to its fleet strategy, which includes eight B787-9 somewhat easier, according to the analysis, repurchase the 35% economic interest in Dreamliners for delivery this year, letting the giving that airline scope for a capital holiday. its Velocity frequent-flyer business sold to airline retire its five oldest B747s. Qantas also S&P says solid cash generation should provide private equity in August 2014, should it retains options on 45 more B787s, as well as Virgin with much-needed financial headroom choose to do so.” 99 A320 NEOs. that will give it “room to take a breather”. The report, entitled “Can Qantas Or Virgin S&P notes that neither Qantas nor Virgin Australia Afford To Take A Capital Holiday?” Australia seems to be in any hurry to add new has plenty of comparative charts and is highly capacity. readable.

Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, emerged from the Meyer Werft building dock in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Feb. 17, a major milestone in the vessel’s construction. The ship will remain in the shipyard port for the final phase of construction, until its conveyance down the River Ems towards the North Sea, scheduled for mid-March.

During this time, the first crewmembers will move into their staterooms on board, begin their training, and familiarize themselves with the ship, readying her for the first guests to arrive after delivery in 60 days, on April 19. The construction of the ship began in October 2016 with a steel cutting ceremony launching the 12th Norwegian ship to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard.

Norwegian Bliss measures 1,082 feet in length by 136 feet wide, with gross registered tonnage of 167,800 and a capacity of roughly 4,000 guests. The float out represented the public debut of the ship’s signature hull artwork designed by world-renowned marine life artist and conservationist Wyland, best known for his marine life paintings, sculptures and grand scale murals, or “Whaling Walls.” Norwegian Bliss’ hull design is named “Cruising with the Whales” and features an image of a mother humpback whale and her calf as the centerpiece of the design, representing the beauty of Alaska’s wildlife.

Norwegian Bliss will be the first cruise ship ship designed to experience Alaska and the and fall seasons sailing to the Mexican Riviera custom-built with features and amenities Caribbean like never before,” said Andy from Los Angeles. In winter of 2018 she will for an Alaska cruise experience, including Stuart, Norwegian’s president and CEO. sail to the Caribbean from Miami, and in a 180-degree Observation Lounge where “We are counting down the days until her the 2019 fall/winter season she will cruise guests can enjoy expansive views. She also official debut in Seattle this summer, where from New York to Florida, the Bahamas and will be the first Norwegian ship to make guests will be able to race around the world’s Caribbean. her debut in Seattle, with cruises beginning largest two-level race track at sea against the May 2018. Norwegian Bliss will offer backdrop of Alaska’s wild frontier, and enjoy weekly seven-day cruises to see America’s other first-at-sea experiences.” last frontier with ports-of-call including Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, as Following preview events in New York City, well as Victoria, British Columbia, along with Miami and Los Angeles, Norwegian Bliss will scenic glacier cruising. sail into Seattle for her official christening on May 30, with summer cruises to Alaska “Our partners at Meyer Werft have done beginning June 2. She will spend her summer an excellent job realizing our vision for a seasons with seven-day cruises to Alaska,

WE LOVE A SNEAKY PHOTO OR TWO OF A some on-deck images of Royal Caribbean’s sea. SHIP IN CONSTRUCTION, IT’S THE BEST WAY Symphony of the Seas which is due to take TO ACT LIKE WE’RE DOING WORK WHILE her maiden voyage in March of this year. So, without any further ado, have a gander ACTUALLY PROCRASTINATING. at the ship here, and thanks again to DM for The Symphony of the Seas has 18 decks, a the shots. But on top of that, the size and intricacies of 1,188-foot-long body and can host more than this ship are absolutely mind-boggling. 8,000 people.

Thanks to the Daily Mail, we have secured This makes her the biggest cruise ship on the