TUESDAY 5TH APRIL 2011

www.cruiseweekly.com.au

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Editors: Louise Goldsbury & Amanda Collins

cruise weekly Tuesday 5th April 2011 page 1

Cruise Hawaii for a steal NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HAS LAUNCHED A LIMITED

number of discounted fares for Aussiepassengers on its seven-night Pride ofAmerica Hawaiian Island voyage. Prices start at $979 for an inside cabin,$1,299 for a window cabin and $1,399 for abalcony cabin, and include all onboard mealsand entertainment, prepaid cruise gratuitiesand government fees and port charges. For full details see page 5 of today’s CrCrCrCrCruiseuiseuiseuiseuiseWWWWWeekleekleekleekleeklyyyyy.

Welcome to today’s consumer issue ofCrCrCrCrCruise Wuise Wuise Wuise Wuise Weekleekleekleekleeklyyyyy, featuring four pages of cruisenews and photos, plus a full page fromNorwegian Cruise Line (p5).

TODAY’S CRUISE WEEKLY100,000 more Australians on cruisesAlmost half a millionAustralians took a cruise in2010 – a 27% increase on theprevious year.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL FIGURES RELEASED

yesterday, 466,692 Australians spent theirholidays cruising, compared to 366,721 in2009. The 100,000 passenger increaserepresents the largest growth since industrystatistics were first compiled by theInternational Cruise Council Australasia nineyears ago. Since then, the number of Australianstaking cruise holidays has risen by 306% –from 116,308 passengers in 2002 –achieving an average annual growth rate of19%. This year’s sharp hike was 27% – secondonly to New Zealand (see page 2), but wellahead of the world’s biggest markets, NorthAmerican and the UK (both recorded 6%growth), Germany (19%), France (12%) andItaly (11%). ICCA chairman Gavin Smith saidAustralians were motivated by the risingnumber of cruise ships in local waters andthe stronger Australian dollar. “Australians now have a record number ofcruise ships sailing from our shoresthroughout the year and clearly this isenticing more people to try a holiday atsea,” Smith said. “We’ve also seen encouraging growth ininternational cruising, particularly in marketslike Europe where cruising provides an easy,relaxing way to see multiple destinations,and the strength of the Australian dollarmakes it more affordable.” The top destination for Australian cruisepassengers was the South Pacific, which

P&O gets a Medi-Spa P&O CRUISES HAS INTRODUCED A BRAND NEW SPA

concept, Medi-Spa at Sea, to its Sydneybased cruise ship Pacific Jewel. The Medi-Spa allows passengers access toa range of cosmetic medical procedureswhich are administered for a fee by alicensed physician. Treatments include Botox, Dysport,Restlane and Perlane.

accounted for 37% of the market (171,857passengers), followed by Australia (19%, or90,751 people) and New Zealand (10%). Europe and Asia attracted 8% ofpassengers (35,061 and 37,267respectively), while Alaska appealed to 4%(19,018). A total of 28,587 cruise passengers (6%)opted for a river cruise. The largest growth for any destination was71% for “Other Americas”, which includesHawaii and the Caribbean, with numbersrising from 12,381 in 2009 to 21,233 lastyear. The results equate to 2.1% of theAustralian population taking a cruise,compared to 1.7% in 2009. Estimated annual sea days rose by 18% toabout 4.7 million.

Escape Autumn at sea ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES IS OFFERING AUSSIES

longing for summer, a chance to catch somesun with a selection of discounted two, three,four, five and seven-night Asian voyagesonboard Legend of the Seas. Departing from now until July, the voyagesare priced from $279 per person for a twonight voyage in an Oceanview cabin. Other Asian deals include a three nightBest of Malaysia roundtrip cruise on 13 Mayfrom Singapore visiting Penang and Malaccafrom $319 per person, and a four night Islesof Southeast Asia cruise from Singapore toMalaysia and Phuket from $359 per persondeparting on 09 May. For more details see your local travel agent,or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au.

cruise weekly Tuesday 5th April 2011 page 2

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One bride, one groom and a weddingparty of ten graced the decks of Pacific Jewelin Sydney last month, in an milestone eventwhich marked P&O Cruises very firstonboard wedding ceremony. Performed at port in Sydney, the weddingwas followed up a few short hours later by aspectacular sail-away party and a 10-nighthoneymoon cruise onboard Jewel for theSouth Australian newlyweds Sue Marcelisand Gary Graham, as well as their entirewedding party! Keeping it in the family, the wedding wasorganised by Gary’s sister, a travel agent atFlight Centre, who suggested the venue afterlearning about P&O’s new Ceremonies atSea program, which launched late last year. “We announced our engagement to our

family when we visited her one afternoonand by the time we left her house the wholething was organised,” said Sue. “Everything was done and we didn’t haveto worry beforehand. “Then on the big day the venue was beautifuland it all went very smoothly,” she added. Although it may have been the firstwedding onboard, Sue and Garry’s big dayis not the last time a bride will walk downthe deck for her nuptials, with P&Oreporting that so far 30 couples havealready signed up to cement their relationshipin marriage in venues across its four vessels,whilst more than 50 have booked in forrecommitment ceremonies. For information on Ceremonies at Sea,see your local travel agent.

Sue and GarSue and GarSue and GarSue and GarSue and Gary cely cely cely cely celebrate afebrate afebrate afebrate afebrate after their ceremonyter their ceremonyter their ceremonyter their ceremonyter their ceremony

NZ cruising tops world’s growthThe number of NewZealanders cruising last yeargrew 36% to almost 43,000. AFTER A DROP IN PASSENGER NUMBERS IN 2009,an all-time record of 42,886 Kiwis hit theseas in 2010. The rise of 36% was significantly greaterthan in any other country. Announcing the statistics, InternationalCruise Council Australasia general managerBrett Jardine said it was an encouragingsign for cruising’s popularity in the future. “This is an impressive figure for NewZealand, where the cruise market is still veryyoung, and we look forward to building on itin future years,” Jardine said. “Cruising is booming all over the world andNZ is very much part of this growth story.” An important change was the expandingrange of cruise holiday options in localwaters after a year when ship visits dwindled.

SYDNEY

Dawn PDawn PDawn PDawn PDawn Princessrincessrincessrincessrincess Fri 08 Apr

PPPPPacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pearlearlearlearlearl Sat 09 Apr

PPPPPacific Jewelacific Jewelacific Jewelacific Jewelacific Jewel Sun 10 AprBRISBANE

Dawn PDawn PDawn PDawn PDawn Princessrincessrincessrincessrincess Wed 06 Apr

PPPPPacific Dawnacific Dawnacific Dawnacific Dawnacific Dawn Sat 09 Apr

PPPPPacific Sunacific Sunacific Sunacific Sunacific Sun Sun 10 AprWELLINGTON

PPPPPacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pearlearlearlearlearl Tue 05 Apr

Try a French Canal cruise FRENCH TRAVEL CONNECTION IS OFFERING

discounts of up to 20% off six-night crewedcanal barge journeys through northernFrance, delivering savings of more than$1,000pp, see www.frenchtravel.com.au.

Jardine said the latest figures had put thecountry’s cruise industry firmly back on the map. According to the ICCA report, more thanhalf of passengers cruised in local waterslast year, with 42% (18,153 people)choosing the South Pacific, 9% (3,862)sailing in Australia and 3% in New Zealand.Europe attracted 20% of NZ passengers(8,390) and Alaska appealed to 5% (2,281). A total of 2,372 passengers (6%) took ariver cruise. The biggest growth in passenger numberscame in the South Pacific (49.4% increase)and Europe (49.8 %), while Alaska almostdoubled (98.7% rise, but from a smaller base). In other trends, shorter cruises (seven daysor less) were more popular, accounting for25% of passenger numbers, up from 13% in2009; and longer cruises (15 days or more)decreased to around 15%, down from 26%. Jardine said that 1% of the NZ population,up from 0.7% in 2009, spent around461,000 days cruising last year. In 2006, only 26,510 kiwis cruised.Love is all around P&O Cruises Australia

cruise weekly Tuesday 5th April 2011 page 3

Review: River Beatrice on the Danubeby Louise Goldsbury

EXPLORE THE KIMBERLEY

PLAY VIDEO

2012 coastal preview HURTIGRUTEN IS CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF ITS

2012 Norwegian Coastal Preview brochurewith a special 20% earlybird discount forselected sailings. Tucked within the pages of the newbrochure is a sneak peak of the costalhugging cruise line’s 12, 11, seven and six-day voyage options, as well as an overview ofHurtigruten’s 12 fleet members, and theunique destination excursions offered toguests wanting to explore the ports they callinto. With the earlybird discount, five nightNorwegian coastal voyages start from aslittle as £576pp, for bookings on selected datesand itineraries made by 30 September 2011. For details see your local travel agent, orvisit www.discovertheworld.com.au.

Oceania’s extension OCEANIA CRUISES HAS EXTENDED ITS 30% OFF

selected European voyages discount dealuntil 30 June. For details see your travel agent.

Gliding along the Danube on the radiant River Beatrice seems somewhat incongruous. Outside, a 15th-century castleand cathedral are almost closeenough to touch. Inside, I am sitting on acashmere blanket on myhandmade Savoir bed, typing onmy laptop, using the ship’scomplimentary internet. Other passengers are on thetop deck, soaking up thespringtime sun as they gaze athistoric homes along the bank. Beatrice, in contrast, is

designed as a boutique hotel with every onboard luxury and first-class service. It’s quite simply the best way to see Europe. We boarded last week in Budapest, spent two days in Vienna, visited a winery inDurnstein and the amazing Melk abbey, and then took a day trip to Salzburg beforewrapping up in Passau. All of this – three beautiful countries in a week – without moving hotels, drivingthrough traffic or enduring airports. I can hardly believe it’s taken me so long to try river-cruising – by far the most relaxingand convenient way to travel, and giving ocean-cruising a serious run for its money. The pace is slower but the scenery is constant, and constantly spectacular; the shipdocks within walking distance of each port’s attractions; and daily city tours (by bus oron foot) are included in the fare. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also part of the deal with dinner and cocktail parties,or you can book a table in the Captain’s Lounge for no extra charge. It helps that I have started at the top: Uniworld’s River Beatrice was named theworld’s best river ship in this year’s Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Poll. But beyond the beauty of the Beatrice, it is the people onboard that make the trip special. Uniworld attracts a more international mix of passengers than other river-cruise lines:mainly American, Canadian, British, and anywhere from 10 to 60 Australians and NewZealanders (out of a total capacity of 160). On my sailing – the first of the season – the average age was late 40s to 60s, plus oneteenager and a few 20-somethings who have come with parents and grandparents on afamily holiday. Serving this diverse clientele was probably the most impressive crew that I have everencountered. The whole team – from housekeepers to waiters, bartenders, chefs, butler andmasseur, and the front desk staff, concierge, managers and the captains – werefaultlessly friendly and efficient. The food was superb, using fresh produce picked up at each port to create localdishes: goulash in Hungary, schnitzel in Austria, bratwurst and beer in Germany. Summing up the experience, a woman from Toronto said to me: “I’ve spent the wholeweek, from morning to night, with myjaw just dropped in awe.” Book nowBook nowBook nowBook nowBook now A limited number of cabins are stillavailable this year, from April to November. The seven-night ‘Enchanting Danube’cruise is priced from $2,432 per person,twin-share for bookings made before 30April; summer cruises start at $3358pp. See www.uniworldcruises.com.au orcontact your travel agent for details.

River Beatrice

Beatrice’s deluxe stateroom

cruise weekly Tuesday 5th April 2011 page 4

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MSC’s Christmas cheer CRUISERS LOOKING TO LOCK IN A FESTIVE VOYAGE

for the end of the year will be excited to learn thatMSC Cruises has launched a series of specialfares for selected Christmas and New Year cruises. Deals include a seven-night Christmascruise onboard MSC Splendida from $989per person twin share, including allentertainment, meals, adult port chargesand a Captain’s cocktail party and gala dinner. In addition children under 18 years oldcruise free year-round when travelling in acabin with two adults, whilst MSC’s Chrissycruises will all be decked out with wreathsand trees, and will also feature a midnight mass. “There will be competitions and trivia onChristmas origins and traditions as well as aChristmas bingo,” said Lynne Clarke, MD ofMSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand. MSC Fantasia is also joining in the festiveaction, with an 11-night New Year cruisefrom Genoa, priced from $1429pp. For details see your local travel agent.

Windstar set to sell AMBASSADORS INTERNATIONAL, OPERATOR OF

Windstar Cruises, has been ordered to sell itscruise line by a US court following thecompany’s filing for bankruptcy. Fortunately a private investment firm,Whippoorwill Associates has entered into anagreement with Ambassadors to buyWindstar Cruises and keep it fully operational. The sale process is expected to becomplete in 45 days, during which timeAmbassadors has pledged (pending courtapproval) that all Windstar cruises willoperate as scheduled; that all of the cruiseline’s customer programs and policies will bemaintained; and that all fares, reservations,commissions, payments and wages behonoured. Whippoorwill has agreed to provideUS$10m in financing to support Windstar’scontinuing operations during the saleprocess. Following the completion of the saleWhippoorwill has said it plans to maintainWindstar’s business and operations, as wellas to invest in the cruise line’s continuedgrowth. “Once it is free of its debt burden, we areconfident Windstar will be poised to grow itsmarket share over the long term,” saidPresident of Whippoorwill, Shelley Greenhaus. In addition to Windstar, Whippoorwill hasagreed to acquire certain assets ofAmbassador’s former Majestic America Lineoperations, which ceased in 2008.

Stena in Dun Laoghaire EUROPEAN FERRY GIANT, STENA LINE, ISrecommencing its service from Holyhead toDun Laoghaire onboard the SS StenaExplorer, from now until 13 September. The move is the result of additionaldemand over the summer period, with StenaExplorer able to transport 1,500 passengersand 350 cars between North Wales(Holyhead) and Dublin (Dun Laoghaire).

The first step of a long journeywas taken earlier this month, withthe first cut made to the steel out ofwhich Celebrity Cruises’ fifth vessel,Celebrity Reflection, will be molded. Under construction in the MeyerWerft shipyard in Papenburg,Germany, Celebrity Reflection isslated to feature accommodationsfor 3,030 guests, and will presentthe industry with a host of newvenues, as well as the cruise line’sfirst AquaClass suites and expanded

spa-inspired AquaClass stateroom accommodations. Celebrity Reflection’s first baby-steps were watched over by her big sister, Celebrity Silhouettewho herself is in the last stages of final construction before setting sail in July this year. Reflection is due to be delivered in late 2012. Pictured above with Reflection’s block plan from left is Meyer Werft CEO Bernard Meyer;Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan; Meyer Werft’s Laser Center DirectorHermann Lembeck, and Project Manager Lambert Kruse.

Reflecting on the birth of Celebrity’s fifth vessel

MARITIME HISTORY REVEALED. Newly-released files from the annals ofBritish intelligence agency MI5, haverevealed Nazi Germany planned to attackthe US during ‘Operation Pastorius’ inJune 1942. However the commencement ofoperations, spearheaded by a submarinemission, was plagued with disasters,making the mission more of a farce thana foreunner to invasion. Firstly one of the German spiestravelling in the submarine, got drunk ina Parisian bar on the evening beforedeparture, and blew his cover by tellingeveryone he was a spy. Then upon arrival in US waters after along journey from Europe, the submarineran aground on a sandbar and had todrop its four spy cargo off on the coast ofNew York’s Long Island. The four spies were then discovered bya US coast guard whilst burying supplies,however managed to evade authoritiesafter giving the guard US$300 andasking him to leave them alone. “It was only owing to the laziness orstupidity of the American coastguardsthat this submarine was not attacked byUSA forces,” the report said. But it doesn’t end there, the lead spythen called the FBI, announced he was aspy and demanded to speak to J EdgarHoover, following which the group werearrested.

THE LAKE OFFERS UP ITS SICK FOR HEALING. An endangered Rafetus swinhoei turtlehas been rescued by experts in Hanoi,Vietnam, after reports surfaced that itwas suffering from a number of nasty sores. Weighing around 200kgs, and the sizeof a car door, the turtle has been aregular sight in Vietnamese waters, mostoften frequenting a lake in the heart ofthe country’s capital. The turtle first raised alarm when itbegan to pop up more than usual, sportingpink sores on its body, neck and head. It took more than 24 people includingarmed forces personnel to capture theturtle for medical attention, with expertsblaming pollution and fishing for thecenturion’s current condition.

For bookings & further information contact your preferred Travel Agentwww.ncl.com

*Price is per person twin share & includes all relative taxes, surcharges & gratuities. Inside price is based on CAT K, Window Price based on CAT G, Balcony price based on CAT BG for 16 April 11 departure. Limited cabins available at these promotional rates. Rates are valid until 1 May. Pricesmay vary for other sailing dates. Prices are capacity controlled & are subject to change without notice due to fluctuation in charges or can be withdrawn without notice at any time. Single passengers must pay a single supplement. Further conditions & cancellation penalties apply. Please enquire. Every effort is made to ensure advertisement and website accuracy, however Norwegian Cruise Line cannot be held responsible for printing or typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Pricing correct as at 30 March 2011. SCS 25323–Consumer

Now’s the time to catch the islands

Inside Cabin $979*

Window Cabin $1299*

Balcony Cabin $1399*

INCLUDES: All meals and entertainment onboard – Prepaid cruise gratuities – Government fees & port charges

Fall in love with Hawaii onboard the

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Take your pick. And that’s all before the Lu`au begins.

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