24TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION ESTABLISHED 1998 JUNE 2021 ISSUE 131 PRICE $10.60 (INCL GST) Holland America’s Rotterdam – page 8 NCL’s Norwegian Prima – page 14 P&O UK’s Iona – page 12 Cruising Underway Editors Say – page 3 Featuring a comprehensive coverage of Global Cruising www.cruisingnews.com 1 for Cruise Passengers, the Trade and the Industry www.cruisingnews.com Effortless, Enjoy everything from TrulyTouchlessTM experiences, to locating your loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever you personalised need, delivered. You can enjoy the convenience and connectedness of MedallionClass no matter where you sail, as the technology will be available on all ships in holidays with the Princess global fleet upon resumption of service. TM Stay connected and spend more time doing what you MedallionClass love on a Princess MedallionClass holiday. For more information visit princess.com/ocean 2 June 2021 117_PC - Cruising News.indd 1 31/5/21 1:40 pm 24TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION ESTABLISHED 1998 JUNE 2021 ISSUE 131 PRICE $10.60 (INCL GST) Holland America’s Rotterdam – page 8 As this issue is going to print there is much happening in the world of cruising! Overseas the Mediterranean, Alaska, UK and now the USA have many cruises underway, some being test cruises. Cruise companies have released plans of where their ship will be. Both NCL’s Norwegian Prima – page 14 RCI and Dream Cruises have had to reduce their operations out of Singapore because of Covid, however they are still cruising. Both companies have announced P&O UK’s Iona – page 12 plans for cruising from Hong Kong. As you read this edition there is the possibility that some of these cruise plans may have altered in this ever changing environment – last issue we published the world wide planned schedules of the cruise lines. Some are underway, others cancelled. Cruising Underway Editors Say – page 3 No doubt it is very encouraging that progress is being made. Featuring a comprehensive coverage of Global Cruising www.cruisingnews.com 1 for Cruise Passengers, the Trade and the Industry www.cruisingnews.com Australia and New Zealand are awaiting positive signs for the return of the “big Front Cover – Photo from Holland America, ships” to the region. There has been limited small ship cruising in both countries. P&O UK and NCL CLIA ups pressure with new Ready, Set, Sail campaign – Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has stepped up its fight for a resumption of Far East Adventures . 4 cruising in Australia, issuing a call for travel industry supporters to join its Dine My Way . 5 Ready, Set, Sail campaign. The initiative is targeting travel agents, industry 65 Day Grand Pacific Voyage 2022 . 5 stakeholders and other members of Australia’s extensive cruise community, New Disney Wish . 8 urging them to raise their voice and place new pressure on state and federal Oceania Unveils Enhancements . 13 parliamentarians. Designing a Hotel for the Sea . 15 To drive the campaign, CLIA has created a new online action centre at Countdown to launch www.ReadySetSail.com.au, allowing supporters to message politicians quickly and . This Edition This of MSC Seashore 16 easily. With a few clicks, users can generate instant emails to local MPs and key Special Event Cruises . 18 Ministers or personalise a message to tell of their own story and circumstances. TT Line Next Generation . 22 CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the Ready, Set, Sail campaign aimed to reinforce the cruise industry’s lobbying efforts and highlight the impact the cruise suspension has had on thousands of Australian businesses and workers. Mr Katz said. “More than 18,000 jobs are in jeopardy and thousands of local businesses are at serious risk. The suspension of cruising has already cost Australians more than $5 billion and we can’t stem further losses without government action.” “The personal messages of Australian supporters would help demonstrate the extent of community backing for cruising and the number of people whose livelihoods are at risk. This would reinforce the ongoing discussions taking place between CLIA and governments as the industry works towards revival” Mr Katz Pacific Dawn Saved said. 10 CLIA and its cruise line members are calling for governments to agree upon a detailed framework for cruising’s resumption, backed by the industry’s extensive new global health protocols. The cruise industry is pushing for the implementation of these measures as part of a phased resumption that begins with domestic cruising for Australians only, within an Australian bubble. To join the Ready, Set, Sail campaign, visit www.ReadySetSail.com.au and use the template to reach MPs. Last issue we published information pertaining to cruising from Venice. In a major turn MSC Orchestra recently arrived and departed from Venice via the Giudecca Canal and Costa Deliziosa and other ships are scheduled in coming weeks. Despite Government plans it appears that cruising from Venice will continue for the time being. Demonstrations have occurred regarding the return New Carnival Livery of the ships. 12 Finally we bid farewell to a great ambassador for the Cruise Industry with the Effortless, Enjoy everything from TrulyTouchlessTM experiences, death of actor Gavin MacLeod who starred as Captain Merrill Stubing on the hit to locating your loved ones anywhere on the ship, as TV show “The Love Boat” and served as Princess Cruises’ global ambassador for well as enhanced service like having whatever you 35 years. He and the Love Boat crew introduced so many people to the exciting and enjoyable World of Cruising. See Page 29. personalised need, delivered. You can enjoy the convenience and connectedness of MedallionClass no matter where you Let us hope there will be positive news to report in our next issue in August. holidays with sail, as the technology will be available on all ships in Please keep safe! the Princess global fleet upon resumption of service. Kerry & John Treacy TM Stay connected and spend more time doing what you MedallionClass love on a Princess MedallionClass holiday. This magazine has been produced in a controlled Celebrity Beyond environment – Once received dispose of the plastic wrap 26 responsibly and immediately wash your hands. Plus the latest news and Proudly Published in Australia by John Treacy & Associates. For more information visit princess.com/ocean Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. information on Global Every effort is made to ensure the information published is correct. www.cruisingnews.com 3 Passenger Cruising 117_PC - Cruising News.indd 1 31/5/21 1:40 pm Far East Adventures on Wonder Of The Seas Revealed Royal Caribbean International has Wonder will transition to warmer announced that Wonder of the Seas, climates and homeport in Hong Kong, the latest evolution of the revolutionary November 2022 through January Oasis Class, will set sail from Shanghai 2023, to offer highly anticipated and Hong Kong, China in 2022 on Christmas and New Year’s holiday thrilling 4 to 9 night adventures through sailings to several ports of call. Part of the Far East to the best of Japan and the destination lineup are Chan May, more. Currently under construction in Vietnam; Busan and Jeju, South Korea; Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder will be Kochi and Okinawa, Japan; and the world’s largest cruise ship and the Taipei, China. first of its kind to call China home when With a gross tonnage of 236,857, “China continues to be one of the it arrives in March 2022. the ship is 362 meters long and 64 most important parts of the world for meters wide, and it features a total On the horizon for vacationers Royal Caribbean. We have won the with their sights on a getaway of 18 decks and 2,867 staterooms to trust of our partners and the favour of accommodate up to 6,988 guests. aboard Wonder are visits to popular travellers and built on that significantly destinations in Asia. Between March Wonder will be the first of its kind to be since we first set sail 12 years ago. By designed with eight neighbourhoods, and November, guests can sail introducing Wonder of the Seas and roundtrip from Shanghai to Japan, introducing the new Suite the iconic Oasis Class to China, our where they can immerse themselves Neighbourhood alongside returning strong commitment to the market’s in the local sights and sounds. From favourites Central Park, the open-air growth is reaffirmed yet again for pleasing their palate in Osaka, to AquaTheater, sporting a new look years to come,” said Michael Bayley, exploring the nation’s oldest official and where jaw-dropping, high-diving president and CEO, Royal Caribbean residence in Fukuoka, to tasting the acrobatic and aquatic performances International. “It will be a remarkable best beef in Kobe and enjoying the take place; Ultimate Abyss, the tallest moment to see years of partnership natural scenery of the islands of slide at sea; and a 25-meter zip Okinawa, all senses can be fulfilled realized when the industry’s newest, line 10 decks above the Boardwalk on these culture-rich itineraries. The most innovative ship becomes neighbourhood. combination of ports of call to choose Shanghai’s new city skyline and takes Meanwhile Royal Caribbean has from also include Tokyo, Mount Fuji, cruise travel beyond imagination.” cancelled its scheduled cruise season Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Ishigaki and Wonder is the fifth ship in Royal from Haifa, Israel on Odyssey of the Miyazaki, Japan. Caribbean’s renowned Oasis Class. Seas. Transformation Completed P&O Cruises Australia’s much- Italian fan-favourite Angelo’s, sultry confidence in the expected rebound anticipated ship Pacific Encounter has Pan-Asian-inspired Dragon Lady and of the local cruise industry,” Mr Myrmell completed her transformation, leaving contemporary Australian dining outlet said.