Tuesday 20 May 2014

Travel Daily Cruise Update | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au/cruisePage 1

Lots of cruise news Today’s issue of TD Cruise Update features three pages of all the latest cruise information both from within Australia and around the world.

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Azamara Aus charter offCRUiseCo has withdrawn

from advanced talks to charter an Azamara cruise ship while in Australia, fearing the local market will be over-saturated in 2016.

Eight weeks ago, Azamara Club Cruises ceo and president Larry Pimentel revealed to TD Cruise Update the firm was close to signing off on an exclusive charter with the consortium for the 694-pax Azamara Quest (CU 25 Mar).

But Cruiseco director Phil Hoffmann on Fri confirmed negotiations have now ended and there will be no charter.

Hoffmann reasoned there would be an overcapacity in Australian waters in 2016 for the decision.

“There will be so much capacity, with Golden Princess and Explorer of the Seas all operating here, so it no longer makes business sense,” he told TD Cruise Update.

The founder of Phil Hoffmann Travel predicted cruise prices in Australia may fall to a point where it was unsustainable to operate charters in Australia.

Hoffmann flagged other charters with Azamara outside Australia were under consideration, but could not disclose further details.

Relationships between Cruiseco and Azamara remain very strong, he added, with the consortium chartering Azamara Quest for two back-to-back departures next year for a total of 74 days at sea.

The first departure sold out

months ago and coincides with the Anzac Centenary next year in Gallipoli, while the following Mediterranean charter from Nice to Southampton on 28 May is already half full.

“At over a year away, there is still plenty of time to fill the remaining cabins,” he said.

Hoffmann said Azamara’s product was ideally positioned for charters due to its relatively small passenger volume, ability to get into “every port” (and those which larger ships can’t access), all-inclusive pricing and the hospitality of onboard crew.

“Azamara’s offering makes it an easy sell,” he commented.

MeANWHiLe, recent assessment of a number of ports along the Queensland coast (CU 20 Mar) has seen the luxury line confirm visits to many as part of Quest’s inaugural season in Australia.

During its two month stay, the ship will visit Port Douglas, Townsville and a variety of Great Barrier Reef islands.

Melbourne and Hobart also form part of five itineraries which will also take in the New Zealand ports of Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Dunedin, Milford Sound and many more.

Several exclusive AzAmazing complimentary night tours will also take place on each voyage, offering guests an immersive experience of a nation’s culture.

Quantum repositionRoyAL Caribbean International

has opened sales on a 57-night repositioning voyage on Quantum of the Seas for its movement from New York to Shanghai, China.

The voyage can be sailed in its entirety, visiting ports including Barcelona, Dubai and Singapore, or can be broken up into one of six shorter sector cruises.

MeANWHiLe, RCI has released a new video from the official keel laying ceremony at the Saint Nazaire shipyard in France for the third Oasis-class vessel - touted to be the largest cruise ship ever built - CLiCK HeRe to view.

Cruise Calendar

port douglasSea Princess 22 May

BrIsBaNEThe World 20 MayDawn Princess 20 MayPacific Dawn 24 MaySea Princess 25 May

darWINCoral Princess 23 MayReef Prince 23 May

aucklaNdPacific Pearl 24 May

Travel Daily Cruise Update’s calendar details upcoming port calls of cruise ships at various destinations around australia and New Zealand.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Travel Daily Cruise Update | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au/cruisePage 2

P O R T H O L E

WHy take the bus when you can ride the dog-sled?

From Dec, guests travelling on the Hurtigruten six-day Classic Voyage South who are staying for a night pre-cruise at the SnowHotel can be whisked to the hotel from Kirkenes Airport by a husky-led dog-sled, which will meet you at the airport.

There’s no need to worry about the dogs carrying your luggage either, as it will follow in a mini-van while you ride up front aboard the sled.

The Hurtigruten sailing plus the pre-cruise night is priced from £1,052pp for departures from Dec 2014 to Apr 2015.

The husky sled transfer is an additional £289pp based on two people to a sled.

For details, phone Discover the World on 1800 623 267.

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For details call us today:1300 799 220

• Cost Effective • Targeted • Easy

MSC agent webinarsDetAiLs on pricing categories,

summer cruise itineraries, new ports, Grand Voyages and much more will be detailed in a series of interactive webinars to be run by MSC Cruises for agents in Australia & New Zealand in Jun.

Sessions will run on 03, 04, 10, 11, 17 and 18 Jun and will run at 8am, 10am, 4pm & 6pm, all AEST, in NSW, Qld, Vic, Tas, NT & SA.

WA sessions will run at 8:30am, 10:30am, 4:30pm and 6pm AWST, with New Zealand at 8am, 10am and 5pm New Zealand local time.

Other topics to be covered will include new deck plans following the Renaissance program (TD 30 Dec) currently underway on the MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia.

Each session will run for 20 mins and agents are encouraged to register early as places are limited at each session - ph 1300 028 502.

Cunard maintenanceQUeeN Elizabeth has entered

dry dock for the first time since its 2010 launch to undergo routine maintenance and upgrade fitting.

New accom offerings for solo travellers will be installed on the ship during its two-week refresh, along with improved amenities in staterooms and restaurants.

Scrubber technology to improve exhaust emissions as part of the line’s environmental sustainability policy is also being installed.

The new-look InsigniaPHotos of Oceania Cruises’

new-look Insignia have been released after a $50m renovation.

The ship was returned to the fleet last week (CU 13 May), with Nautica and Regatta to undergo similar works in coming weeks.

Upgrades have been installed in suites, decks, lounges and cafes.

CLiCK HeRe to view the gallery.MeANWHiLe, selected 2014

Oceania Cruises departures are now offering free cabin upgrades as well as Prestige Drink packages for bookings made by 30 Jun.

Infinity Cruise to expandiNfiNity Cruise, the fastest

growing division of Flight Centre, has revealed plans to push ahead with two new reservations teams based in Sydney.

To service Flight Centre branded agencies in NSW and ACT only, the wholesale business is actively recruiting two full teams of 13 experienced consultants with a view to start in Aug.

Infinity Cruise will also align its sales teams to Flight Centre Travel Group’s brands.

The decision follows the “phenomenal success” of the company’s relocation of the Vic/Tas team to Melbourne.

“This should help us better support the customers and the brands that look after them,” said Megan Lowe, nation leader, Infinity Cruise and Rail.

“We will be opening two new teams in Sydney to service Flight Centre brand only and dedicating two teams in Brisbane to look after Escape Travel, Travel Associates and Student Flights nationally.”

The start date for the new Sydney teams is 21 Jul, for extensive cruise training before opening for trade on 01 Aug.

“This will ensure they are on the fast track to becoming the ‘expert’s expert’ to better support FCB NSW/ACT’s growth in cruise sales,” Lowe said.

For more details or to apply for the new roles, CLiCK HeRe.

Le Boreal London visitCoMPAgNie du Ponant vessel

Le Boreal has made its maiden visit to London, cruising directly up the Thames River and into the city under Tower Bridge.

The luxury vessel’s visit formed part of a 12-night sailing from Bordeaux, France to Copenhagen, Denmark which ends on 22 May.

Find cruise buddy appsoLo cruise traveller firm

Companion Cruising has launched its own tablet app, compatible with iPad 2, 3 and MacBook Air devices and Android systems.

The software allows solo cruise travellers to register their intent to take a cruise & interest in finding a cruise companion.

Special cruise offers and the ability to request a cruise quote are also features of the app, which can now be downloaded for free from the iTunes and Google Play online app stores.

Evergreen US cruiseseveRgReeN Tours has added

new cruise itineraries along both the Snake and Columbia Rivers in northwest USA and Hawaii to its new 2015 Canada & USA program.

Select itineraries feature the American Empress steamboat between Clarkston and Portland in Washington and Oregon.

The 18-day Culinary Adventure includes the voyage along with visits to wineries and a creamery to sample local produce of the northwest, before heading south through California with stops in the Redwood National Park and the Avenue of the Giants.

In a first for Evergreen Tours, the seven-night Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America is offered as a Hawaii stopover package for the firm’s 21-day Ultimate Western USA itinerary, “providing our guests with even more options to combine land touring with a cruise,” says gm Angus Crichton.

Next year’s program sees the return of Mississippi River cruises aboard the traditional American Queen, sold as part of a 26-day Complete Eastern USA tour.

Also returning due to “popular demand” are voyages to the Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.

More at evergreentours.com.au.

Ukraine cruise changeMoDifiCAtioNs have been

made to a number of Silversea cruise itineraries scheduled to visit the Black Sea this year due to ongoing tensions in Ukraine.

An original seven-day Black Sea sailing on Silver Spirit departing 21 Jul which included Odessa will instead visit the port of Trabzon.

Additionally, three new nine-day voyages will depart Constanza and Nessebur but will spend more time in Greece and Turkey, with a value-add experience of a full-day Bucharest tour or a US$200 per guest onboard credit.

The new itineraries apply to the Silver Cloud’s 13 Oct departure and Silver Spirit’s 20 Aug & 29 Sep sailings, which all depart Istanbul.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests is always our top priority,” Silversea gm and director of sales and marketing Australasia Karen Christensen said.

“These new itineraries eliminate the uncertainty surrounding Ukraine, while providing our guests with peace of mind and attractive destinations for their ultra-luxury cruise vacation”.

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business events news

Tuesday 20 May 2014

A JoiNt initiative between the ports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman to promote the Arabia region as a cruise destination is working to entice cruise lines.

Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, executive director of business tourism, Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing told TD Cruise Update the alliance has seen “positive development.”

Dubbed Cruise Arabia, the pact launched earlier this year and has been cited for encouraging Royal Caribbean International to return to the Gulf from 2015/16.

RCI offered sailings out of the region from 2010 through until this past season, before taking a hiatus for one season.

“We are really happy to be welcoming Royal Caribbean back,” Bin Mejren told TD Cruise Update at the recent Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Regular lines operating in the Middle East include AIDA, Costa, Tui Cruises and MSC, the latter of which will deploy MSC Orchestra to Dubai from next year.

Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, DTCM cruise tourism director revealed the group had made a concerted effort to entice P&O Cruises World Cruising to Arabia, who are “considering the destination.”

“P&O are interested, possibly to start after 2016,” Al Falasi said.

Bin Mejren told CU Dubai acts

as the primary hub for Arabia due to its “excellent infrastructure,” fuelled by airlift through Dubai International Airport.

“To have this alliance will enhance the facilities we have in the region, plus we will work on developing more destinations.”

He said what makes the Gulf so appealing to cruise passengers is a distinctively different experience in each destination.

Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the potential new cruise destinations.

Located 9kms offshore from the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas is home to a wildlife reserve and a number of Anantara resorts.

Visitors to the island can take safari drives and see animals such as Arabian oryx, gazelle, cheetah, hyena and even giraffe.

The island is also recognised for its beaches and water activities.

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s leisure products development mgr of Ecosystem Tourism, Noura Al Dhaheri told CU both Costa and MSC would likely be adding Sir Bani Yas as a shore excursion from 2015/16.

“We are trying to give the desert experience coupled with a safari for cruise pax,” she said.

Pictured on the Cruise Arabia stand at ATM 2014 this month from left are Noura Al Dhaheri, Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren and Jamal Humaid Al Falasi.

Arabia jv heralds return

Concordia tech issuessALvAge teams working on the

removal of the Costa Concordia have pushed back the estimated towing date until 18 Jul.

A statement from Titan Micoperi - the firm overseeing the removal - said a construction accident involving two of the 800-tonne floatation tanks forced the delay as both will need to be repaired before the vessel can be refloated.

After early speculation the ship would be towed to the Seychelles to be scrapped, it is understood the Italian mainland will now be the final destination of Concordia, although this is to be confirmed.

Disney heading westBooKiNgs for a limited series

of cruises from Galveston, Texas; San Diego, California and Hawaii to be operated by Disney Cruise Lines will be available from tomorrow (US time), the line said.

The sailings will take place in the northern autumn of next year and operated by Disney Wonder.

Two ten-night sailings - one from Vancouver to Hawaii and another returning will visit the four main Hawaiian Islands, departing on 07 Sep 2015 & returning on 15 Sep.

Short two, three and five-night departures to Mexico from San Diego will also operate during the month of Oct 2015.

A series of seven-night Bahamas cruises from Galveston will depart in Nov and Dec 2015, including a New Year’s Eve cruise on 28 Dec.

MSC also kicks goalsLive broadcasts in public areas

of FIFA World Cup matches will take place on MSC Cruises ships, the line said, becoming the latest to show the football tournament.

In addition, the line will host the MSC World Cup Championship, an onboard table football comp, along with football themed arts, crafts and trivia sessions and a Sailaway World Cup Pool Party.

HAL Antarctic savingsNeARLy $2,500 can be saved on

a 19-night voyage from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires aboard Holland America Line’s MS Zaandam which also takes in the Antarctic Sound.

Book by 15 Jun to avail the offer, with the cruise departing 30 Jan 2015 and priced from $3,948ppts.

For more details, phone Travel the World on 1300 857 437.

NCL open departuresA RANge of new South America

cruises in the 2015/16 season on Norwegian Cruise Lines are now open for sale, with Norwegian Sun to return to the region on 04 Nov for the first time since 2010.

Norwegian Spirit will also return to the Caribbean from operations in Europe, alternating seven-day East & West Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

Eastern Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries on Norwegian Pearl are also now on sale.

Sapphire power sagaPoWeR has been restored to the

Saga Sapphire after an electrical fire onboard temporarily left the ship without power and adrift off the coast of Scotland.

No passengers were injured and the voyage resumed after power was restored with help from coastguards, with further repairs carried out while anchored in port.