JMAK=Sydney, Fremantle and Auckland. Itineraries include Celebrity’s inaugural circumnavigation...
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Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: [email protected] Page 1 Tuesday 29 November 2011 Celebrity Cruises returns to Australia Celebrity Century arrives in Sydney tomorrow – and we’re giving away a cruise to celebrate! TOMORROW morning marks cruising’s big Celebrity comeback, with Celebrity Century sailing into Sydney for the first time. It’s the first visit by the premium cruise line in three years, and the 1,800-passenger superliner will make it worthwhile, staying down under until March 2012. As the region’s top-rated home-ported ship, Celebrity Century offers special touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, an ice bar, and pool butlers who deliver cold towels and iced water to sunbathers. Passengers booked in suites will also have TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Cruise Weekly’s consumer issue today has four pages of the latest cruise news. PLUS see page four for details on CW’s new Royal Caribbean competition to win a fabulous 18-night cruise holiday for two. Last Minute Deals This weekly column highlights hot deals on cruises departing in the next 100 days – ideal for our spontaneous readers. Check out this week’s cruise bargains! 10-nights – East Antillies onboard Celebrity Equinox • From: $3,989pp • Departs: 24 February 2012 • Visits: Charlotte Amalie, Basseterre (St Kitts); Bridgetown (Barbados); Roseau, (Dominica); and Philipsburg (St. Maarten). • Includes: Return flights, 10-nights cruising with all meals and two nights accom at the Hilton Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale • Visit www.ecruising.travel Automatic tipping on P&O P&O Cruises in the UK has announced it will automatically add £3.10pp per day to onboard passenger bills to cover crew tips, in a move designed to reduce ‘awkwardness and confusion’ for passengers onboard its seven ship fleet of: Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceania, Oriana and Ventura. The new tipping policy will replace the current status quo where guests give money to crew in an envelope, but will not cover the £1.60pp account charge for the use of Freedom Dining on Oceana, Ventura and Azura. the services of their own butler as well as in-suite afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvres and dinner. According to Adam Armstrong, commercial manager of Celebrity Cruises Australia, Century is set to be a “game changer” this summer. “With a ratio of two staff members to every guest, all guests on Celebrity Century are thoroughly looked after on their cruise by crew who will go the extra mile to deliver an unforgettable experience,” he said. “We’re proud to bring such an industry- leading brand back to the region and offer our guests an elegant yet affordable choice in local cruising.” The maiden Australian program is comprised of 12- to 18-night sailings departing from Sydney, Fremantle and Auckland. Itineraries include Celebrity’s inaugural circumnavigation around Australia and New Zealand, available in two 18-night segments and priced from $1,299 per person. Celebrity Century also features fine-dining restaurants, a 1,000-seat theatre, kids and teens clubs, and museum-quality art collections. Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises has selected Cruise Weekly to exclusively give away an 18- night cruise from Auckland to Perth, for two people in an oceanview cabin. For details on how to enter, see page four.
Transcript of JMAK=Sydney, Fremantle and Auckland. Itineraries include Celebrity’s inaugural circumnavigation...
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: [email protected] Page 1
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Celebrity Cruises returns to AustraliaCelebrity Century arrives inSydney tomorrow – and we’regiving away a cruise tocelebrate! TOMORROW morning marks cruising’s bigCelebrity comeback, with Celebrity Centurysailing into Sydney for the first time. It’s the first visit by the premium cruise linein three years, and the 1,800-passengersuperliner will make it worthwhile, stayingdown under until March 2012. As the region’s top-rated home-ported ship,Celebrity Century offers special touches such asa welcome glass of champagne, an ice bar, andpool butlers who deliver cold towels and icedwater to sunbathers. Passengers booked in suites will also have
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CWCruise Weekly’s consumer issue today hasfour pages of the latest cruise news. PLUS see page four for details on CW’snew Royal Caribbean competition to win afabulous 18-night cruise holiday for two.
Last MinuteDeals
This weekly column highlights hot deals oncruises departing in the next 100 days – idealfor our spontaneous readers.Check out this week’s cruise bargains!
10-nights – East Antillies onboardCelebrity Equinox
• From: $3,989pp• Departs: 24 February 2012• Visits: Charlotte Amalie, Basseterre (St Kitts); Bridgetown (Barbados); Roseau, (Dominica); and Philipsburg (St. Maarten). • Includes: Return flights, 10-nights cruising with all meals and two nights accom at the Hilton Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale• Visit www.ecruising.travel
Automatic tipping on P&O P&O Cruises in the UK has announced it willautomatically add £3.10pp per day to onboardpassenger bills to cover crew tips, in a movedesigned to reduce ‘awkwardness andconfusion’ for passengers onboard its sevenship fleet of: Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura,Oceania, Oriana and Ventura. The new tipping policy will replace thecurrent status quo where guests give money tocrew in an envelope, but will not cover the£1.60pp account charge for the use ofFreedom Dining on Oceana, Ventura and Azura.
the services of their own butler as well asin-suite afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvresand dinner. According to Adam Armstrong, commercialmanager of Celebrity Cruises Australia, Centuryis set to be a “game changer” this summer. “With a ratio of two staff members to everyguest, all guests on Celebrity Century arethoroughly looked after on their cruise by crewwho will go the extra mile to deliver anunforgettable experience,” he said. “We’re proud to bring such an industry-leading brand back to the region and offer ourguests an elegant yet affordable choice in localcruising.” The maiden Australian program is comprisedof 12- to 18-night sailings departing fromSydney, Fremantle and Auckland. Itineraries include Celebrity’s inauguralcircumnavigation around Australia and NewZealand, available in two 18-night segmentsand priced from $1,299 per person. Celebrity Century also features fine-diningrestaurants, a 1,000-seat theatre, kids andteens clubs, and museum-quality artcollections. Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises has selectedCruise Weekly to exclusively give away an 18-night cruise from Auckland to Perth, for twopeople in an oceanview cabin. For details on how to enter, see page four.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: [email protected] Page 2
Tuesday 29 November 2011
9NIGHTS
ABU DHABI & THE EMIRATESFROM $2,439*
For details ring 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel
p/p twin share
• Return airfares with V Australia from SYD / MEL• 7 Nights cruise accommodation onboard MSC Lirica• 2 nights at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi
THANK YOU to everyone who sent inquestions for our guest expert, AnthonyHaworth, GM of Captain Cook Cruises. Next week Sarina Bratton, Founder of OrionExpedition Cruises will take over the reins asCW’s weekly expert. Be sure to send anyquestions you may want to ask Sarina [email protected]. Below are the last questions for Anthony, forhis answers visit the CW Facebook site atfacebook.com/cruiseweekly.Q1 from Susan in Penrith NSW: Susan wouldlike to know if there are any luggage limitsonboard Captain Cook Cruises’ voyages.
Q2 from Peter in Melbourne: Peter hasasked if there are facilities onboard CaptainCook Cruises’ vessels to wash clothes duringsailings.
CruiseCalendar
Cruise Weekly’s cruise calendar detailsupcoming port calls of passenger cruiseships at various destinations in Australiaand New Zealand.
BRISBANEPacif ic Sun Tue 29 NovSun Princess Wed 30 NovPacif ic Dawn Sat 03 Dec
SYDNEYCelebrity Century (OPT) Wed 30 NovPacif ic Jewel (Barangaroo) Wed 30 NovPacif ic Sun (Barangaroo) Thu 01 DecOcean Princess (Barangaroo) Fri 02 DecRadiance of the Seas (OPT) Sat 03 DecPacif ic Sun (Barangaroo) Sun 04 DecVolendam (Barangaroo) Mon 05 DecRhapsody of the Seas (OPT) Tue 06 Dec
HOBARTOrion Tue 29 NovSpirit of Enderby Thu 01 DecCelebrity Century Fri 02 Dec
MELBOURNEVolendam Sat 03 Dec
DARWINSpirit of Adventure Mon 05 Dec
Ponant sells its Le Diamant COMPAGNIE du Ponant has sold its 226-passenger Le Diamant to ship managementservice provider International ShippingPartners (ISP). The luxurious 37-year old Le Diamant hasundergone several incarnations in herlifetime, having originally been built as a cargoship in 1974 before being sold and convertedto a cruise ship Song of Flower in 1986. Ponant purchased Song of Flower in 2004,and gave her a complete refurbishment andmakeover from which she emerged Le Diamant. Complete with an ice classification of 1D thefive deck Le Diamant is able to cruise polarwaters, and features three restaurants, fourbars, a library, sun deck, spa and fitness room. ISP has now purchased Le Diamant on behalfof a Bahamian company for an undisclosedprice, with the vessel’s delivery set formid-December.
Le Diamant
NORTHERN EUROPE | BALTICMEDITERRANEAN | BLACK SEA
BRITISH ISLES
CARIBBEAN | CENTRAL AMERICASOUTH AMERICA & THE AMAZON
MIDDLE EAST
FA S C I N AT I N GD E S T I N AT I O N S
U N I Q U ED I S C O V E RY
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From $1,155pp*
From $1,720pp*
*TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
Record gay cruise almost sold outThe world’s largest gay cruise,onboard the 5,400-passengerAllure of the Seas, has almostsold out. All the top-level suites have been booked,including the $22,000 royal loft suite, and onlya few interior and balcony cabins remainavailable for the “largest and most extravagantgay cruise in history onboard the biggest cruiseship ever built”. American travel company Atlantis Events haschartered Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seasfor a week-long tour of the Caribbean,departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 29January 2012, with ports of call in Haiti andMexico. The company is working closely with RoyalCaribbean to redesign the ship’s public spacesto create five dance venues, including adancefloor covering the main pool, with anelaborate system of lighting, lasers and videotechnology. DJs will be flown in from Miami, Los Angelesand London to play a range of music styles,
and parties will have a special theme everynight. New menus are also to be introduced insome of the ship’s restaurants. The record-breaking cruise follows AtlantisEvents’ successful charter of Allure last year,with improvements in 2012 to include triplethe number of lights in the solarium dancearea, more intimate social activities and a dayexcursion to Labadee, the cruise line’s privatebeach. “Our second year on a new class of ship isalways our best,” the organisers said. Theatre entertainment, such as productionsof ‘Chicago’, remains the same as regular Allureof the Seas sailings. Prices for available cabins start at US$1,199twin-share, and a roommate-matchingprogram is available for singles seeking toshare. For details, see atlantisevents.com/Allure-Caribbean-Cruise.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: [email protected] Page 3
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Port Review: Barcelona, Spainby Cruise Sales Manager, Roger Condon
If you’re looking to cruise the western Mediterranean next year, chances are you’ll most likely bebeginning or ending your cruise in Barcelona. The city has an annual cruise ship visitor countsoaring above 3 million. And why not! Barcelona is an incredible destination that beckons you tostay for several days. Barcelona is a huge port and your ship may be docked at several locations. Moll Adossat is thelargest, with four well-equipped terminals, located away from downtown. A taxi or maybe yourship will offer a shuttle service. Smaller ships can dock at the World Trade Centre, and you can walkinto town from there. The city is incredible! No matter what you’re looking for, Barcelona will not disappoint. TheGothic Quarter, with its beautiful cathedral is a wanderer’s paradise. The narrow cobblestonestreets are a joy to stroll, but don’t forget to look up, as you may miss some great architecturalsights. Within its streets are the cathedral, the impressive Picasso Museum, old Roman remnants,restaurants, cafes and bars. Walk up Las Ramblas, with its flower and bird stalls, outdoor eateries,and make your way to Passeig de Gracia for great designer shopping, and to see Gaudi’s uniqueand splendid buildings, or take a taxi and visit a park that explodes with Gaudi, Parc Guell. Don’tforget Sagrada Familar, Gaudi’s ornamental temple that will definitely inspire some reaction fromyou. Barcelona by night is another exciting world. Honestly, this is the tip of the Barcelonasightseeing iceberg.
Roger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsRoger’s Quick TipsBest Months: April - OctoberDon’t Miss: Sagrada FamiliarsTour or Not: If you love walking, do it all yourselfSightseeing: Gothic Quarter, everything GaudiFood: Pa amb tomàquet, Fideua, Crema CatalanaLanguage: Catalan, SpanishCurrency: EuroShopping: A dizzy array of Spanish designers for shoes, jewellery andclothingCash or Card: Cards are accepted virtually everywhere. Pocket change.
By Roger Condon, cruise sales manager, Discover the World Market ing - with 15 years at sea. WWW.OCEANIACRUISES.COM.AU
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Antoni Gaudi’s great SagradaFamil ia
The new Fascinosa of Savona COSTA Cruises’ newest fleet member CostaFascinosa will be named in Savona on 06 May2012 during her preview cruise departingVenice on 02 May 2012. Together with her sistership Costa Favolosa,Costa Facinosa, currently being fitted out atFincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, will be thelargest cruise ship flying the Italian flag. The 16th cruise ship in the Costa fleet, CostaFacinosa cost the cruise line a healthy €510mto construct. Meanwhile Costa’s €5b 10 ship fleet expansionplans also include the creation of a yet unnamed132,500 gross ton, 4,928-guest vessel which isscheduled for delivery in October 2014. To support its increasing ship and passengernumbers arriving in the port of Savona Costahas said it will continue to invest in portinfrastructure, including its second terminaldue to start construction in January next year.
Celebrity has zero drug tolerance CELEBRITY Cruises left two passengers in theWest Indies island of St Kitt after securitypersonnel discovered cannabis in their cabin. According to a report in USA Today, thecouple were not allowed to board CelebrityEclipse after a day out in St Kitts last week,with the cruise line calling in local police whoarrested and fined the pair. The duo have since flown home to the US.
Love Formula One racing? ECRUISING.travel is offering lovers of motorsports the perfect fly/cruise/tour to the 2013Formula One grand prix in Monaco from $4,959. Departing on 21 May 2013, the cruise/tourincludes flights, a four-night Azamara Questround-trip cruise, two nights at Monte Carlo’sFairmont hotel and a stay at Raffles in Dubai. See www.ecruising.travel for full details.
THE King is alive and onboard Rhapsody. Guests were awash in a sea ofrhinestones, big hair and swinging hipsonboard Rhapsody of the Seas’ first-everthree-day Elvis themed cruise over theweekend which even saw one pair of Elvisdie-hards tie the knot. The couple of 26 years, Tricia Toole andMichael George, said ‘uh-huh’ in front of1,000 strangers and a smattering of friendsin a service afficiated by Elvis impersonator(and marriage celebrant on the side) John‘Elvis’ Collins. Vows included a promise not to “leaveyou at heartbreak hotel”.
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Tuesday 29 November 2011
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Australia’s IMO election AUSTRALIA has been elected equal secondplace on the Council of the InternationalMaritime Organisation (IMO) at the 27th IMOAssembly held recently in London. The IMO is a specialised agency of the UnitedNations with responsibility for the safety andsecurity of shipping and the prevention ofmarine pollution by ships. Australia jumped 16 places from its electionto 18th position two years ago, to sharesecond spot until 2013 when the IMO will holdits next lot of elections. “Australia’s strong record on maritime safety,environmental protection of the sea and therole played by AMSA were key factors in thisoutstanding result,” a statement from theGovernment said. “We play a significant role on the Council,representing the fourth largest shipping task inthe world, with most of these vesselstransiting close to significant natural marineand coastal habitats.” “It is critical that shipping, fundamental toAustralia’s economic vitality, meets the highestsafety and environmental standards,” thestatement added. Australia has been a member of the IMO forover four decades, since its inception in 1959.
PRINCESS Cruises’ biggest ever summer seasonDown Under is now underway, with the cruiseline offering its largest ever program of cruisesto New Zealand from Australia. As part of this program P&O has three ships:Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess,cruising to NZ from Brisbane, Melbourne andSydney, with Diamond Princess arriving inSydney in late December to also offer aprogram of trans-Tasman cruises. Pictured above are Dawn Princess and SeaPrincess recently making a rare dual visit to theport of Akaroa on the South Island.
Earlybirds flying away soon EARLYBIRDS who want to swoop on ScenicTours 2012 Canada and Alaska early bookingdeals had better act soon, with the 15December booking deadline looming. Earlybird deals allow those who book onselected cruise/tours before 15 December freereturn flights to Vancouver with Air Canada forthe second person travelling (plus taxes of$640). 20 Day Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruisetours including flights are priced from $12,480for the 1st traveller and $9,845 for theircompanion. See your travel agent for details.
Internationally acclaimed and now available from your doorstep. Celebrity Centuryhas fi nally arrived.
Discover the number one rated̂ship in Australia for service, dining and accommodation, the stunning Celebrity Century exudes contemporary sophistication from some of the most stylish spaces at sea.
To celebrate the arrival of Celebrity Century, Celebrity Cruises is offering Cruise Weekly subscribers the chance to experience an unforgettable 18 night Australia/New Zealand cruise from Auckland to Perth in an Oceanview cabin for two people departing 30 January 2012, valued at over $4,000.
Discover one of the region’s most captivating cruise ships, email [email protected] 25 words or less, what would youdo if you had your own personal butler on Celebrity Century for a day?
Flights not included. For full terms and conditions go to cruiseweekly.com.au
Win a cruise and experience Modern Luxury
To book contact your travel agent. Call us on 1800 754 500.
Visit www.celebritycruises.com.au
B̂ased on the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2010.
Pandaw’s charity opens clinics PHILANTHROPIC Pandaw Cruises guests havehelped to change the lives of disadvantagedpeople in Burma, by funding the constructionof Pandaw’s fifth medical clinic in Minnanthu,Burma. The clinic was developed in response to thesuccess of Pandaw’s first medical centre inGantgar, which with two doctors sees over 100people a day, who travel distances of over32kms by foot, bicycle, cart and bus to receivefree medical treatment.
Pastoral meets ocean views
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Tuesday 29 November 2011
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Caviar in the Surf
How to choose a luxury cruiseBy: Louise Goldsbury
Seabourn’s welcome aboard
What’s the difference between the luxury cruise lines? I’m doing mybest to find out, one ship at a time!
SeaDream Yacht ClubPassengers: 110This was my first-ever cruise and it’s proven tough to beat. Casualonboard, but exceptional service, food and fun events such as thepoolside Caviar and Champagne Splash and an onboard marina (imaginejetskiing in the Med). I also liked the younger crowd, aged 40-60. Allalcohol, dining, tips and activities are included in the fare. The onlynegative is that cabins don’t have balconies.
SilverseaPassengers: 130-540I felt very pampered on my sailing from Sydney to Cairns earlier thisyear. All rooms are classified as suites, so everyone gets a butler. TheSilver Spirit was so captivating that I only got off the ship once all week.The specialty restaurants are memorable because they were a little bitdifferent, especially Stars Supper Club and the Hot Rock grill above thepool deck. All drinks and crew tips are included in the fare.
SeabournPassengers: 200-450To join the world voyage of the Sojourn for only three days was such atease. There are no butlers but the crew provide truly personal servicethat makes you feel like you’re on the holiday of a lifetime. Restaurant 2and lunch in the galley (no surcharges) were great experiences.Seabourn Square and the thermal suite are pleasant indoor hangouts,but the real action is poolside, with free ‘massage moments’ and the funSky Bar. Drinks and crew tips included.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Passengers: 100My surprise of the year was River Cloud II, largely for its great food andhilarious waiters. The line’s other two vessels are masted tall ships,which are a novelty for those seeking something different to an oceanliner. House wine and beer are free with lunch and dinner.
Regent Seven Seas CruisesPassengers: 490-700Renowned as the world’s most all-inclusive cruise line – even the shoreexcursions are complimentary. I have never sailed on or inspectedRegent ships so can’t comment from personal experience, but definitelyworth looking into.
Crystal CruisesPassengers: 922-1072Ditto, not yet been invited on Crystal, but I have heard these cruises areamazing. Not all-inclusive – you even have to pay for a glass of wine withyour dinner. These are the biggest ships in the luxury market, but thismeans there are more facilities and entertainment options.
Hapag LloydPassengers: 164-698I had lunch onboard Berlitz’s top-rated ship, Europa, and it was enoughto see that passengers are spoilt. The ship isn’t as sexy as you might expect,and alcohol isn’t free, but the service is superb and there are no diningsurcharges, including Michelin-starred chef Dieter Müller’s restaurant.
Compagnie du PonantPassengers: 64-264CW columnist Rod Eime is currently cruising in Antarctica aboard the newvessel, which he describes as a “floating Sofitel”. Stay tuned for hisreview next week.
Silversea’s butler service
