Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 1

Tuesday 10 July 2012

TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of CW features four pages ofall the latest cruise news, plus check out p5 fordetails about a special Lands of Time cruise fromOceania Cruises onboard Marina in September.

This weekly column highlights hot deals oncruises departing soon – ideal for ourspontaneous readers.Check out this week’s cruise bargain:

Eight-day Prague to Budapest cruiseonboard MS Avalon Vista

• From: $6,139pp• Departs: 23 August 2012• Visits: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau-

Linz, Melk, Vienna and Budapest.• Includes: Return airfares, seven-night

cruise, one night accom in Budapest,three nights accom in Prague, and twonight Dubai stopover

• Contact: www.ecruising.travel

Last MinuteDeals

Scenic halves single supp SCENIC Tours is enticing cruisers to book aholiday on one of its recently released 2013river cruise itineraries, by offering 50% off thesingle supplement cost of selected departuresfor a limited time only. The single traveller price on the 15 DayJewels of Europe River Cruise starts from$9,590pp, and prices for the 14 Day South ofFrance River Cruise start from $12,895pp. Prices include a cruise on board a Scenic‘Space-Ship’ with unlimited beverages, allmeals, private butler service, all excursions,events and entertainment, Wi-Fi, airporttransfers and all tipping and gratuities.

Cheap Island Escape airfares ISLAND Escape Small Ship Cruises is offeringreturn flights to Vanuatu from $199 for guestswho book a ‘Vanuatu Islands of Discovery’cruise (priced from $2,495pp), departing inAugust, before 31 July 2012. Meanwhile, the cruise line is also promotingits new six-day Tonga – Just Beyond Paradisecruise (priced from $2,295pp) by also offering$199 flights to Nukualofa for September andOctober departures booked before 31 July. To sweeten the Tonga deal, Island Escape willalso throw in two nights free accommodationat the Scenic Hotel, Nukualofa. See your travel agent for details, or visitwww.islandescapecruises.com.

QE2 will be a hotel in Dubai QUEEN Elizabeth 2 will become a 300-roomfloating hotel docked permanently at Dubai’sPort Rashid. The former Cunard queen, now owned byIstithmar World, has spent the past few yearsdocked at Port Rashid whilst plans were madeand debated for her future. According to a statement by Istithmar World,despite her conversion to a floating hotel, QE2will retain her original furnishings, art andhistorical artifacts. “Our vision is to enhance the facilities onboard but retain the very strong sense ofhistory that is a fundamental part of herattraction,” the statement added. It is now expected that QE2 will open herdoors for hotel business in around 18 months.

Pacific Pearl gets new lick of lifeIn time for summer, P&OCruises is adding an ice-creamparlour, 10 interconnectingcabins and new carpets for thewhole ship. THE superliner will go into dry dock nextmonth for minor refurbishments that areexpected to please many families. First on the agenda is addressing theimportant issue of ice-cream on Pacific Pearlwith the establishment of a New Zealand

Natural Ice-cream Parlour. Previously, passengers could only buy conesat the Chocolate Café, but the new dedicatedvenue will serve 16 flavours including P&O’sown invention, chocolate hokey pokey. The interconnecting cabins to be installedon Pacific Pearl will be configured as quad-quad, twin-quad or twin-twin bedding to suitdifferent travelling parties. Sture Myrmell, VP of hotel operations forCarnival Australia, which operates P&O, saidhe expected the new cabins would appeal toimmediate and intergenerational familiestravelling together, as well as groups of friends. “The interconnecting cabins make it easierto cruise together, and we expect they’ll be ahot item for bookings on the Christmas cruiseand January school holidays cruises aroundthe Pacific Islands,” he said. The new interconnecting cabins on PacificPearl go on sale today. Myrmell said this would offer “the perfectopportunity for friends and family to getorganised so as not to miss out over peakholiday times”. Other improvements on Pearl include thelaying of new carpets throughout the ship andsmaller touches in the Marquee, Mix andOrient Bars, mini suites and balcony cabins. The routine dry dock will take place from6-21 August, when no cruises are scheduledfor the ship. The new cabins and ice-cream parlour are inline with additions made earlier this year toP&O’s Pacific Dawn. Pacific Jewel is also expected to have an ice-cream parlour installed this year.

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Tuesday 10 July 2012

CruiseCalendar

Cruise Weekly’s cruise calendar detailsupcoming port calls of passenger cruiseships at various destinations in Australia.

BRISBANEPacific Dawn Sat 14 July

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P&O Cruises farewells an Australian legend PACIFIC Sun sailed into the annals ofP&O Cruises history over the weekend,returning to Brisbane after her seven-night farewell cruise following sevenyears with the cruise line. Pacific Sun joined the P&O fleet in2004, and has been hailed by the cruiseline as “the backbone of the resurgenceof cruising in Australia and NZ”. Over the past seven years Sun hascarried more than half a millionpassengers, racked up 2707 daysdeployed (excluding dry docks), sailed767,600 nautical miles (the equivalent

of 30 times around the world), has departed on 314 cruises (with an average duration of 8.6nights), made 1,168 port calls at 80 separate destinations, and visited 19 countries. Speaking in a video message, CEO of Carnival Australia, Ann Sherry commended Sun’s crewsaying that none of the vessel’s achievements would have been possible “without all of you andthe customer service you provided to all of those passengers”. “You can all give yourselves a pat on the back for your great achievements,” she added. Pacific Sun’s hard working crew are pictured above onboard her very last voyage for P&O.

BROOMEOrion Thu 12 JulyDawn Princess Mon 16 July

FREMANTLEDawn Princess Tue 10 July

SYDNEYPacific Pearl Wed 11 JulyPacific Jewel Sun 15 July

What economic crisis? AUSTRALIANS are flying in the face of globaleconomic trends, with SeaDream Yacht Clubreporting that Aussies made up the biggestgroup by nationality onboard SeaDream I’srecent Rome to Venice sailing. With a total of just 100 guests and 95 crewon this sailing, Australians made up more thana quarter of all passengers with 26 onboard,followed by 18 from Brazil, 14 from the UK, 12from Norway, 11 from the USA and theremainder from various other countries. “Since 2003 Australians have jumped fromunder 1% of our guests, to now close to10% annually on SeaDream I and SeaDream II,”said SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto.

LUXURY WORLDWIDE JOURNEYS & CRUISES

ALL NEW 2013 BROCHURE

Crystal gazes ahead to 2015 voyageCrystal Cruises has revealed earlydetails of its 2015 World Cruise: a108-day global circumnavigation,which includes Australia. IN honour of its 20th World Cruise, and 25thanniversary of the company, the luxury line isplanning a new route around the globe,departing in two-and-a-half years. Round-trip from Miami, the three-month“warm weather voyage” aboard CrystalSerenity will cover Central and South America,the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia,Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, SouthAfrica, and the Caribbean. The six all-inclusive segments include: Miamito Callao/Lima (16 days); Callao/Lima toAuckland (19 days); Auckland to Perth (21days); Perth to Cape Town (21 days); CapeTown to Rio de Janeiro (15 days); Rio deJaneiro to Miami (16 days). Maiden calls will be made in Albany,Australia; Santo Domingo, DominicanRepublic; Ambodifotra and Taolagnaro,Madagascar; and Richards Bay, South Africa. Other highlights include stops in Sydney,Melbourne, Wellington, the Cook Islands,Easter Island, Reunion Island, Bora Bora,Buenos Aires, Cartagena, Turks & Caicos. Passengers will also participate in silveranniversary celebrations onboard.

Those who book for the full 108 days willreceive extra perks, such as private enrichmentclasses, fitness programs, entertainmentevents, social invitations, and mementos. “For our 20th World Cruise, travellers canexpect an especially spectacular addition totheir personal bank of once-in-a-lifetimememories, with popular cultural capitals andoff-the-beaten-path jewels that appeal toboth our loyal regulars and those new to us,”says Crystal president Gregg Michel. The itinerary, which starts on 15 Jan 2015, willbe posted on crystalcruises.com on 16 July 2012. For details, see www.wiltrans.com.au.

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Tuesday 10 July 2012

Royal Caribbean Tony Awards ROYAL Caribbean has uploaded a new videoonline titled, ‘Oasis Goes Live at the TonyAwards: Royal Caribbean’s BroadwayEntertainment Takes the Stage’. The video includes footage from the livebroadcast of Oasis of the Seas’ Hairspray cast. To view CLICK HERE.

Rogers review

COMING to a cruise near you? With cruise lines constantly competing forthe newest, hottest and tastiest foodofferings, the latest food trend to hit the USmarket, Squeez Bacon- otherwise known asbacon in a bottle, may just turn up at atable onboard your next voyage. Hailed by its makers as a “breakthrough”,and dividing foodies worldwide, the baconin a bottle has been available in Swedensince the end of WWII but has only just hitUS shelves. According to the company, the bottledpork product is “fully cooked 100% bacon”which is rendered into liquid format via apatented electro-mechanical process. This process, according to Squeez Bacon,means that the liquid bacon requires nopreservatives or other additives. “Each serving is as healthy as real bacon,and equivalent to 4 premium slices ofbacon!,” the company said. Interestingly, Squeez Bacon has a shelf lifeof 12 years.

Sample Star Flyer sailings NEXT year Star Flyer will host two samplerfour-night cruises in Northern Europe,including one from Amsterdam to Hamburgdeparting 05 May, and one from Hamburg toOstend (Belgium) departing on 24 August. Prices start at $1,359, see your local travelagent for details.

By Roger Condon, cruise sales manager, Discover the World Market ing - with 15 years at sea.

Port Review: Santorini, Greeceby Cruise Sales Manager, Roger Condon

The Greek islands is the third most popular cruising destination in Europe, and with such acavalcade of islands to cruise to it’s no wonder it’s so popular. Among the best-known islands ofMykonos, Rhodes, Crete and Corfu is perhaps my favourite, Santorini. Yes, it’s one of the mainislands on the tourist route, but it’s impossible to surpass the sheer dramatic introduction itprovides when you arrive. Arriving by ship, you sail into the caldera of a volcano that 3,600 years ago erupted with suchdevastating power the entire centre of the island disappeared into the sea and virtually wiped outthe ancient Minoan civilization. Today, rising above the water are 1,000 foot vertical cliffs toppedwith two dazzling white villages that appear to cling effortlessly to the caldera’s edge. This is another port where you simply must be on deck for arrival or departure. Your ship anchorsand you need to take a tender ashore to reach the pier, where you’ll find the only way up to Fira,the main town, is to climb the 600 steps, ride a donkey, or take the cable car. If you take a donkeyone way, take it up – it’s easier. Once up and in Fira, it’s a rabbit warren of cobbled streets housing cafes, tavernas, restaurants,shops and boutiques. There’s no other way to explore it but on your feet. Lunch or dinner sitting ina restaurant hanging on the edge of the caldera is a must. Getting about there are local buses,rental cars and mopeds. Moped accidents occur frequently, so be careful. Whatever you do, takethe time to visit Oia, the other beautiful white village and often preferred by seasoned travellers. From Fira, the island slopes downwards towards the sea and a myriad of beaches (black sand &pebbles) where you can spend the day in the sun. On the way down visit one of Santorini’swineries, and for those looking for ancient culture, stop by Akrotiri, Santorini’s prehistoric versionof Pompeii showcasing the ancient Minoan civilization.

Roger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsBest Months: May - SeptemberDon’t Miss: Dining on the edge of the calderaTour or Not: Half morning tours, leaving you free in the arvoSightseeing: Oia, Akrotiri and beachesFood: Fava, TomatokeftedesLanguage: GreekShopping: Everywhere you turn in Fira and Oia, ceramicsand jewelleryCash or Card: Credit card

A view from the cl iffs

Sojourn for 30 days WILTRANS has put together a 30 day cruisetour from Buenos Aires to LA, departingAustralia on 12 December 2012. The package includes airfares; transfers; four-nights accom in Buenos Aires with two dinners,a tango dinner show, afternoon tour andcountry tour with lunch; a 22-night cruiseonboard Seven Seas Mariner; and two nightsaccom in LA with brekkie daily and one dinner. The package is priced from $19,469pp, seeyour travel agent for details.

Shake, Rattle and Roll LOVERS of Rock ‘n’ Roll take note: Athena ishosting a four-night Rock ‘n’ Roll cruise aroundWest Australia in April 2013. One of a record 12 short cruises ClassicInternational Cruises will offer in Australianext summer, the Rock ‘n’ Roll cruise willdepart from Perth on 02 April 2013 and willfeature daily gigs by the ship’s band and alsoBrisbane-based classic rock band, TheDeadliners, who will play in the liner’s loungesand around the pool, with tunes from BuddyHolly, Chuck Berry, The Stray Cats, JimmyBarnes, Jimmy Buffett, Crowded House andPeter Frampton amongst others. Guests will also be treated to Rock ‘n’ Rolltrivia quizzes and can also get into the swingof things with a host of free rock’n’roll danceclasses. See your travel agent for details.

Share your memories TO celebrate 175 years of its cruising historyP&O Cruises is inviting past passengers and crew toshare their memories on a new website whichis dedicated to the cruise line’s history. See www.175yearsofcruising.com.au.

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Tuesday 10 July 2012

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Scenic Crystal MS Mekong SunRV Paukan and RV Pandaw

Rivers of Bliss: River Cruising on a Rocket

by: Roderick Eime

Cruise Weekly readers don’t need to be told the benefits of acruising holiday. Travelling for a week or more without the hassles ofcheck-ins and -outs, packing and unpacking and the stress of tightconnections are all avoided, plus you have the advantage of thescenery and attractions coming to you. Australian cruise fans are well known for their love of the oceanvoyage - maybe something to do with how our forebears arrivedhere? That enthusiasm for fun and enrichment afloat extends beyondthe high seas to the tranquil inland waters of the world’s rivers andAussies are river cruising like never before. “Our river cruise bookings in Australia are currently 40 per centabove this time last year and 2012 has already eclipsed all other salesrecords in this market,’’ said Stewart Williams, md Australasia forAvalon Waterways, to Angela Saurine in a report for news.com.au,“Australians are driving the agenda in river cruising right now.” Leading the charge is home-grown hero, Glen Moroney, of ScenicTours whose opulent, company-owned vessels are multiplying on theEuropean waterways in particular. The latest, Scenic Crystal, waslaunched in May and has already featured on TV shows includingNine’s Getaway. While the signature voyage for all major operators is clearlyAmsterdam to Budapest along the Danube, Scenic Tours have alsolaunched the first new registration for Russian rivers in over 25 yearswith their totally refurbished, 112-guest Scenic Tsar, which will plythe Volga between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Down south in the Ukraine, Viking River Cruises offer the River Dnieperthat leads to the Black Sea from Kiev, via Sevastopol and Yalta. So you’ve ticked off Danube and Rhine, what other rivers make up

the inland cruising ‘world tour? Amazon: Operating out of Iquitos in Peru, Aqua Expeditions andDelfin are slugging it out on the Upper Amazon with itineraries of upto a week. Nile: Some mixed advice about this iconic waterway in light ofunrest in Egypt. Proceed with caution. Mekong: Another destination on a rocket with new vesselsappearing annually. The (lower) itinerary runs between the Delta andSiem Reap, but often supplemented by road transfers in the lowwater months. Cruiseco launch their new Adventurer in late Octoberfollowing other newbuilds from Pandaw and Heritage Cruises. Murray: Let’s not forget our own historic river which will featureCaptain Cook Cruises’ PS Murray Princess running a second seven-night Mannum to Renmark itinerary to take advantage of perfectriver conditions. Ganges and Brahmaputra: These Indian rivers are a whole worldaway from the crush of normal tourism on the sub-continent; basicbut authentic. Ask Active Travel. Irrawaddy and Chindwin: All eyes are on Burma these days andtourism is finally taking off with quality itineraries from experiencedoperators, Pandaw and Orient Express. Myanmar is now! Yangtze: China’s massive Yangtze is more navigable since themassive Three Gorges Dam. See Uniworld and Helen Wongs Tours. Congo, Chobe and Zambezi: If you’re looking for something a bitedgy, sub-Saharan African rivers are beginning to feature with therecent (2009) addition of AmaWaterway’s boutique Zambezi Queen. Did you miss it? Cruise Weekly’s annual river cruise guide waspublished in June, but you can still get it HERE.

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OCT 03 - Alexandria, Egypt

OCT 04 - Cairo (Port Said), Egypt

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