Cruise Weekly Australia/New Zealand and $999 Twin-Share

Home , MS Fram, Pacific Dawn

TUESDAY 7TH JUNE 2011 www.cruiseweekly.com.au JMAK= Ph: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221 :((./< Email: [email protected] Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Amanda Collins P&O plans new ship, 14-day sale P&O is building its biggest ship March 2012, visits the Whitsundays and Cairns, with fares from $799pp (quad share). in the UK. In the meantime, An eight-night cruise onboard the latest grab a bargain to NZ, Qld or addition to the P&O fleet, Pacific Pearl, to Emerald Bay, Isle of Pines and Noumea, is Pacific Islands from $699! priced from $899 and departs from Sydney on 7 December 2011. P&O HAS ANNOUNCED ITS £500 MILLION ($765 For more information, contact a travel million) order of a 141,000-tonne superliner, agent or see www.pocruises.com.au. scheduled to enter service in March 2015. With capacity for 4,370 passengers, the unnamed vessel Pacific Dawn will be the largest in the UK-based P&O fleet and the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British market. Full details are yet to be revealed, but the line is promising “a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand’s classic and iconic features”. Carol Marlow, managing director, P&O Cruises UK, said the newbuild will combine Avalon launches EOFYS the classic features of Oriana and Aurora AVALON WATERWAYS IS TEMPTING AUSSIE CRUISERS with the variety of Azura and Ventura, plus with an End of Financial Year Sale, which several new concepts. offers savings between $800 and $2,000 per Meanwhile, P&O in Australia has couple on select 2011 European river cruises. launched a sale on cruises departing from Travellers who are considering taking Avalon Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle, valid for up on its offer had better get in quick, as the bookings until 18 June 2011. savings cover 25 cruises departing from July The cheapest deal is a seven-night sailing to August this year, and are on sale until 30 from Brisbane to Noumea, Lifou and Vila, July or until sold out. departing 11 February 2012 on Pacific Dawn. “Almost 80% of our 2011 cruises are either sold out or have limited availability, Fares start at $699 per person quad-share Cruise Weekly Australia/New Zealand and $999 twin-share. but there are still good cabins available on PO Box 428, West Ryde NSW 1685 Ph: 1300 799 220 A 10-night cruise from Newcastle to North many of our peak season departures,” said www.cruiseweekly.com.au Queensland on Pacific Sun, departing 17 Avalon Waterways Marketing Manager Editorsitors: Louise Goldsbury & Amanda Collins Australasia Christian Schweitzer. [email protected] Advertising & Promotions Discounted cruises include a 13-day Blue Lisa Maroun [email protected] TODAY’S CRUISE WEEKLY Danube Discovery itinerary departing on 11 Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd ABN 731 230 414 85. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission Welcome to today’s consumer issue of and 25 July, and 12 and 29 August 2011, from the editor to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of Cruise Weekly no liability can be accepted for errors or Cruise Weekly, featuring four pages of from $3,770pp/ts. omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment cruise news and photos. For details see your local travel agent. is taken by Bruce Piper.

The Danube – Europe’s most romantic river

In 2012, sail the enchanting Danube River onboard the new sophisticated Viking Odin, featuring Europe’s largest real suites and staterooms. 8-day Romantic Danube from $1,799 per person, twin share* Save $1,500 per person. Book and pay in full by 31 July, 2011. Contact your travel agent or call Viking at 1800 829 138. Visit vikingrivercruises.com.au to learn more. THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR®

*Conditions: Price listed in Australian dollars and valid on 2012 sailings only. Must book and pay in full by 31 July 2011. Discounts combinable with Past Passenger Discount and valid for new bookings only. Price is based on 17, 24 Nov 2012 departure in Cat F stateroom. Visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au for full booking conditions. cruise weekly Tuesday 7th June 2011 page 1 MSC CRUISES NOW AVAILABLE WITH LIVE JMAK= PRICING AT :((./< ECRUISING.TRAVEL ZZZFUXLVHZHHNO\FRPDX 1300 369 848 www.ecruising.travel

&58,6( &$/(1'$5 Last-minute bargains on canals Want to skipper your own seaside resort of Lignano Sabiadoro. The fleet comprises 1,000 canal boats and BRISBANE cruise? Le Boat has slashed the more than 40 bases in eight countries Pacific Dawn Mon 11 Jun Pacific Dawn including the UK and Ireland. AUCKLAND cost in Europe this summer. For details, see www.leboat.com.au or call Pacific Pearl Sat 09 Jun EUROPE’S LEADING SELF-DRIVE CANAL BOAT 1800 803 988. operator has cut 20% off selected sailings in Sneak peek at Silhouette June, July and August. In addition, Le Boat is offering discounts HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED THE SHORES NEAR of up to 40% on some one-way trips as well in Papenburg, Germany recently, to sneak-a- as family discounts for children. peek at Celebrity Cruises’ newest family Cruises for 2012 can also be booked at Classique Star member, Celebrity Silhouette as she 2011 prices, valid until 31 August 2011. left the shipyard (pictured). Mark Windsor, head of distribution for Le Debuting in July this year, Boat Australia & Asia/Pacific, said these Sizzling Venice with MSC the 2,850-passenger savings were significant for people wanting MSC CRUISES IS GIVING AUSSIE CRUISERS THE Silhouette is the fourth to experience the European countryside opportunity to cruise from Venice to Rio for vessel to be launched in from the intimacy of its canals. less than $100 per day, as part of a 25-day Celebrity’s five-ship “No experience is necessary to skipper cruise holiday. Solstice Class fleet. these boats, and with options such as bicycles, Kicking off on 23 November, the Sizzling Highlight features it allows the traveller to have the freedom of Venice to Rio package combines an eight- include the Lawn Club Celebrity Silhouette cruising, while other members of the party can night Mediterranean cruise with a 17-night Grill, Wi-Fi equipped cycle along the canals or venture into the ocean voyage, both onboard MSC Musica. cabanas ‘The Alcoves’ and The Art Studio. many villages along the waterways,” he said. The first eight-night leg is a return cruise Le Boat now operates in Italy’s Friuli from Venice to Bari, Rhodes, Izmir, Piraeus region, opening up Venice’s northern lagoon (Athens), Katakolon and Dubrovnik, whilst towards Trieste and Slovenia. the second leg heads to South America, The new base at Precenicco will operate stopping in Valletta, Malaga, Madeira 17 boats, offering roundtrips and one-ways Island, Salvador, Buzios and Rio de Janeiro. to/from Casale. The package is priced from $2,285pp, Precenicco, on the Stella river which flows with kids only paying taxes of $665 when through the Marano lagoon, is famous for accompanying two paying adults. its nature reserves and is linked to the larger Visit www.msccruises.com.au for details. Aurora brings a little bit of the Arctic to sunny Sydney When people think of Sydney, they think harbour, sunshine and city- what does not immediately spring to mind however, is polar bears. But that’s exactly what trotted into town last week, heralding the start of winter and aiming to raise awareness about global warming and the plight of its endangered brethren. Sponsored by Aurora Expeditions and carved over a few hours by British sculptor Mark Coreth and his team, the bear was fashioned out of a bronze skeleton which was frozen in a block of ice. Speaking to media at the launch, Coreth said that the ice bear was an interactive sculpture where onlookers become part of the sculpting team by touching the bear. Aurora’s Expedition Leader Amanda Till Each touch melts the bear “this is the human with Lisa Bolton in front of the Ice Bear impact” Coreth said, by way of explaining the parallel between the ice bear and the plight currently facing real polar bears. “Aurora believes that taking guests to these Arctic and Antarctic destinations creates life- long ambassadors,” said Aurora Expeditions CEO Lisa Bolton, who described the Arctic as a “precious laboratory”. “Sensitivity to the environments we visit is key to Aurora’s philosophy,” she said, adding that the company takes deliberate steps to preserve and protect the regions it sails. If you want to experience these regions, check out Aurora’s upcoming European Arctic and Antarctic seasons at www.auroraexpeditions.com.au, or see your local travel agent. cruise weekly Tuesday 7th June 2011 page 2 CRUISE UNDER FULL SAIL ABOARD STAR CLIPPERS THE LARGEST MODERN TALL SHIPS JMAK= :((./<

PDF FLYER ZZZFUXLVHZHHNO\FRPDX 7 NIGHT WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES AUG-OCT11 SAVE 25% OFF Last Minute Deals True Blue Riband, Fastest Across the Atlantic THIS WEEKLY COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS HOT DEALS ON by Roderick Eime cruises departing in the next 90 days – ideal for our spontaneous readers. The Atlantic Crossing between Europe and the 14 nights – Sydney roundtrip onboard United States is the quintessential ocean voyage. Pacific Pearl Why? • Departs: 06 September 2011 Apart from being one of the historically busiest • From: $1,369pp twin share shipping routes in the world, it is chapter one of • Stops at Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, many of the world’s greatest stories, including the Vila, Port Denarau, Dravuni Island, discovery of what is now the United States of Suva and Noumea America by European navigators. • Includes all onboard meals The great, often treacherous North Atlantic has • See www.eseacruising.com.au been fought over and blockaded in wars; such has been its importance to international trade and 12 nights – Auckland to Sydney commerce. onboard Celebrity Century From the time of Columbus in 1492, and • Departs: 30 Aug 2011 possibly earlier, seafarers have braved these waters • From: $979pp (Seniors Special) to build civilisations, ship all manner of cargo, • Stops at Bay of Islands, Tauranga, smuggle, plunder and wage war. Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, The passage became increasingly important as Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, the great nations expanded their empires and Milford Sound and Melbourne influence, building all-weather vessels specifically • Includes most onboard entertainment for the arduous 3,000 NM ocean voyage. • See www.ecruising.travel In the days of sail, a typical eastbound voyage took over three weeks until the introduction of steam in the early 19th century. Sunsail charter discounts Steam power allowed vessels to improve their more difficult outward (westbound) time against the Gulf Stream winds and the race to build faster and bigger ships was on. YACHT CHARTER COMPANY SUNSAIL HAS In 1935, Arthur Hales, a UK merchant, shipowner and politician instigated the now discounted all yacht charters in the Whitsundays famous trophy that bears his name for the “Blue Riband”, the fastest westbound this month by 30%, whilst in the Caribbean journey by a passenger vessel in regular service. Sunsail is offering 25% off bareboat charters The first official recipient was the French liner SS Normandie, which completed her of 14-days or more and 15% off charters maiden voyage on 29 May at just under 30 knots. between 5-13 days booked from 01 June to Since that time, only two other ocean liners have shared that accolade, the RMS 31 October 2011. Queen Mary and the purpose-built SS United States, who captured the title with an See www.sunsail.com.au. average speed of 34.5 knots on 15 July 1952 and has held it ever since. This superlative vessel also smashed the eastbound record one week earlier with a stunning 35.59 knots. Scenic Enrichment Since the retirement of SS United States in 1969, the “Blue Riband” is deemed to GUESTS CRUISING ONBOARD SCENIC TOURS’ 2012 have ceased as no regular fast passenger service now exists. European river cruises will be able to take However, in the age-old spirit of competition, the Hales Trophy is still awarded for the advantage of a range of new free fastest commercial vessel crossing in either direction. enrichment activities aimed at providing an Serial show-off and entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, did manage to break the in-depth experience of the history, culture record in 1986 by just two hours with his Virgin Atlantic Challenger, but was denied the and cuisine of the destinations visited. trophy because his 1440kW speedboat was not a commercial vessel. Scenic Enrich experiences include private The same fate was levied against the massively ambitious 45,000kW GE jet-powered tours of castles, exclusive dining experiences, Destriero of the Aga Khan which crossed in August 1992 at over 53 knots. visits to local villages and meetings with Yet the final word in the Hale local wine vintners and food producers. Trophy remains with the proud For example guests onboard Scenic’s 15- Tasmanian company, Incat, builder day Imperial Jewels of Russia river cruise will of the world’s fastest commercial be treated to a traditional Russian lunch at passenger catamarans. the old-world wooden ‘Podvorie’ restaurant Since 1990, three of the in St Petersburg, as well as a private Russian company’s vessels have held the ballet performance, a home visit to taste prize, with the current holder, HSC authentic Russian tea and piroshky, a private Fjord Cat, the first to cross in less tour of Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and a than three days at an average meeting with a cosmonaut on a guided tour speed of 41.3 knots. of Star City space training centre. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! HSC Fjord Cat For more details on the enrichment Oi! programs visit www.scenictours.com.au. cruise weekly Tuesday 7th June 2011 page 3 Follow us on: JMAK= Just one click away from :((./< keeping up to date with all the breaking news as it ZZZFUXLVHZHHNO\FRPDX comes to hand... Hurtigruten gives back New online ship locator END-OF-CRUISE CHARITY AUCTIONS HAVE BECOME A PASSENGERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND firm fixture on Hurtigruten MS Fram expedition friends are now able to track the location of voyages, with items under the hammer any of Scenic Tours’ ‘Space-ships’ cruising including sea charts, expedition team jackets within the European waterways, with the 3257+2/( and donated items from research stations. launch of a new online public portal. Funds from the auctions are donated to Combining on-board global positioning local organisations from the regions visited systems with Google Maps, the website including the Antarctica South Georgia features a map of European waterways, with Heritage Trust and the Ocean Foundation. each ship marked as a coloured dot. THAT’S GRATITUDE FOR YOU. Users can move their mouse over each dot A couple of cruisers sailing on Carnival to find out the name of the ship, as well as Fascination last month were so impressed Zumba on the seas the date, cruising speed and location. with the creations fashioned for them out Each ship also has its own page where IN KEEPING WITH THE LATEST FITNESS TRENDS of towels and left in their room each Princess Cruises has confirmed that it will be users can see a more detailed map, as well night by the ship attendants, that they expanding its Latin dance inspired Zumba as its location, speed and regularly updated decided to say thanks. classes fleet wide. on-board photos. Pictured below, their ‘Thanks’ was Princess first introduced complimentary CLICK HERE to view the page. crafted out of their own room towels and Zumba classes onboard selected vessels in left for the attendants on the last day of Dec 2010, with demand growing so rapidly Fascination’s voyage. that they are now one of the most popular Radiance refreshed activities onboard. ROYAL CARIBBEAN HAS POSTED THE LATEST BEHIND- As a result, the cruise line has decided to the-scenes video of Radiance of the Seas in have additional crew members undertake drydock, undergoing her a multi-million official Zumba training to become licensed dollar makeover before her Australian debut instructors, so they can host classes onboard later this year. every vessel in Princess Cruises’ stable. The new video shows the renovation team The classes generally take place between face major weather challenges as they work 1-2 times per voyage in venues including Club to overhaul Radiance’s pool deck. Fusion, the Piazza or the outside decks. CLICK HERE to view the video. What better way to say it than with towels? UNPRECEDENTED SAVINGS OVER 40 NEVER SEEN BEFORE PRICES ON SAILINGS REDUCED!

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NEW PROMOTIONAL FARE FROM NEW PROMOTIONAL FARE FROM NEW PROMOTIONAL FARE FROM $2,555 per guest $2,285 per guest $2,355 per guest

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

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