Cruise

W E E K L Y
Tuesday 7 May 2013

Singapore - the Miami of the East

Carnival Cruise lines has opened a new regional HQ in Singapore, and predicts that Asian passenger numbers could double to over 7 million by 2020.
Singapore could become the cruising base for the Caribbean of Asia, according to the chief executive of the new operation, Pier Luigi Foschi, who said that the new cruise terminal in the Lion City would be a Miami-style hub. Theres good weather here, lots of islands to visit and a lot of experiences, he said. South East Asia is not too different from the Caribbean in terms of these basic conditions. Carnival Australia ceo Ann Sherry, in Singapore for the event, said the opening highlighted Carnivals commitment to tap into the potential growth opportunity, which could mirror the performance in Australasia. Carnival Australias success in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region was built on a multi-brand strategy and an efficient distribution network that has made it easy for passengers to discover cruising as a great holiday option, Sherry said. Our Carnival Asia growth is off to a great start with major centres in Asia such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai making big investments in port infrastructure to attract cruise ships and the economic benefits they deliver, she added. The opening of the new Singapore office coincided with the maiden call in the city of Costa Atlantica, which will offer a series of three and four night cruises to Malaysia and Thailand over the next few months - alongside Costa Victoria, more than doubling the brands capacity in Asia. The importance of the event was underlined by the attendance of senior figures including CLIA global president and ceo, Christine Duffy alongside senior officials from the Singaporean Government. Carnival will initially focus on the Costa and Princess brands in Asia, with Singaporean Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran calling on all members of the industry including travel agents and other related businesses, to work together with cruise companies. I believe there is scope going beyond the corporate office to look at areas where we can deliver links, in terms of onshore programs, supporting services, as well as in training and development of manpower for a growing industry in this part of the world, he said. As well as the Costa deployment, Princess Cruises will operate Sapphire Princess from Singapore for four months from November 2014, with a range of itineraries ranging from three to 11 days. Foschi said Carnival Corporation was strongly committed to developing its business in Asia.

Cruise Calendar
Cruise Weeklys cruise calendar details upcoming port calls of passenger cruise ships at various destinations in Australia.
sydney Carnival Spirit Pacific Jewel Pacific Jewel BRISBANE Pacific Dawn DARWIN Orion Thu 09 May Fri 10 May Mon 13 May Sat 11 May

Wed 08 May

Download your Cruise Mojo

CLEAN Cruising has launched its brand new iPad app - the first dedicated Australian cruise app built from the ground up - into the Aussie and New Zealand iTunes app stores. The app features information on 10,000 cruises, with filters to help consumers search by liner, ports, duration and more, with a Favourites section for quick access later. Titled Cruise Mojo, the app is available now.

Balcony Class Superstar sales

OCEAN cruising in Asia has never been more affordable with a new special released by Star Cruises on a selection of Asian voyages, travelling aboard the Superstar Virgo. Cruises start from as little as $100 per day inclusive of all taxes and surcharges, and also cover all meals and onboard entertainment. Fares start from as low as $300pp for an inside cabin on a three-night Penang & Phuket sailing between 12 May - 16 Mar next year. For more details, see Star Cruises full page on page 5 of todays Cruise Weekly.

Details of Astors suites at sea

CRUISE & Maritime Voyages has released more information about the suites aboard the 620-pax Astor vessel as it prepares to head to Fremantle for a three summer season stay. Suites offer walk-in robes, double or king beds, baths and a private terrace, floor-toceiling windows and fresh fruit delivered daily. Two weeks remain to snap up a cabin aboard Astor on one of its inaugural local sailings at special Saver Rates, priced at up to 25% off full published fares, with limited cabins discounted until 15 May, excluding New Years Eve Cruises. Astor arrives at its new WA home on 11 Dec and for details, visit www.cmvaustralia.com.

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FRENCH cruise operator Compagnie Du Ponant will sail a 15-day Northern Lights voyage from Greenland to Quebec aboard Le Boreal, departing Kangerlussuaq on 15 Sep. The departure is being timed around what is considered to be the peak time to maximise views of the natural marvel during the heights of the 11-year solar cycle.

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

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W E E K L Y
Tuesday 7 May 2013

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Garden Island plan feared uprooted

Carnival Australia is concerned that the latest Defence White Paper fails to address cruise ship access to Sydneys naval base.
Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry has expressed dismay that the Defence White Paper released by the Federal Government last week ignores the vital question of whether cruise ships will be able to use the berthing facilities at Garden Island. The company, which operates most of the cruise ships sailing to or from Sydney, has spent several years requesting long-term access to the harbourside site, with relatively little success. We welcomed the Federal Governments decision to allow limited access to Garden Island for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 summer cruise seasons and experience shows that the arrangements have worked effectively, Sherry said. As a maritime organisation, Carnival Australia has always understood and shared the Navys commitment to the traditions and security requirements that apply at Garden Island and have demonstrated our respect for them. Sherry said the issue was becoming increasingly urgent to allow itinerary planning that would ensure Sydney remains the hub of cruise industry operations in Australia. The need to resolve Sydney Harbours port infrastructure requirements has never been more important knowing that the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and Garden Island are the only suitable berths east of the harbour bridge for the increasing number of larger ships. On this basis, we are seeking access to Garden Island for the overflow of cruise ships that cannot or are unable to berth at Circular Quay during peak summer cruise seasons. Within three years, it is expected that onethird of all ships visiting Sydney will be unable to fit under the bridge. The paper was released days after the announcement of 2012 statistics that confirmed cruising as the standout success of Australian tourism with an increase of 11% in passenger numbers, the eighth consecutive year of double-digit industry growth. Undeterred in her efforts to gain support for cruisings continued growth and economic contribution, Sherry said: We remain committed to achieving a solution as soon as possible that addresses the interests of the Navy, cruise industry and wider tourism sector that benefits from the growth of cruising.

P O R T H O L E
DRESSING for the occasion has rarely backfired quite as spectacularly as this. The Parkham Womens Institute in the UK county of Devon thought dressing as pirates would add a humorous twist to an address by retired sea captain Colin Darch, with many turning up wearing eye patches and wooden legs for a talk on piracy. The good humour quickly went out the window when their guest speaker started talking about his real-life ordeal in which he had been held hostage for 47 days by a gang of Somali pirates in 2008. Darch and his crew were hijacked by 20 heavily armed pirates off the Somalian coast in 2008, only released after a ransom of 400,000 was paid by relatives and friends. Luckily, Darch took the honest mistake in good humour, quipping They seemed to be a little embarrassed but it didnt offend me in the slightest. In any event, the ladies didnt look the slightest bit like Somali pirates - more like the Pirates of Penzance, he joked. Naturally everyone was aghast when we realised our mistake, Parkham Womens Institute Stephanie George said.

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Strong demand for Orion

Orion Expedition Cruises has reported extraordinary bookings for its ship acquired recently by Lindblad Expeditions. Despite as yet having only been released to past passengers, the advance bookings have been unprecedented (in particular the new itineraries) and sailings are filling up fast, chief operating officer Joel Katz wrote in a message to Orion customers. As an example, in one week we took 57 deposited bookings for the first three sailings. All voyages are now open for sale to non-past passengers. In March 2014, Orion will be renamed National Geographic Orion to reflect the alliance between Lindblad and the National Geographic Society. For the rest of 2013, Orion and Lindblad will share resources with a view to establishing a seamless, integrated operation ashore and afloat, Katz said. To obtain a brochure, call 1300 361 012.

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

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DOLLED up to the nines and looking fabulous, this group of agents were clearly enjoying themselves on their cruise famil aboard the Sapphire Princess. The group spent a number of carefree days off the coast of California enjoying the wonderful comforts of the vessel and watching the waves bounce off the ship. A highlight of the trip was undoubtedly partaking in a fine meal in the International Dining Room, where they were joined by Sapphires Captain Nick Carlton. When he is not navigating the high seas, Carlton now calls Australia home with his wife and son now based in Western Australia. Pictured above standing in the back row from left is Leesa McNally, Travelworld Liverpool;

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Cruising Californias coast in Sapphire style

More Inspiration Class suites

LONGER ships will enable Tauck to add up to eight additional suites to its new Inspiration Class fleet of ships, the first two of which Inspire and Savor - are due to launch next year. The two new vessels, and any forthcoming as part of the new class, will contain up to 22 suites, compared to 14 on Jewel Class vessels. Suites will be furnished with a pull-out couch, walk-in closet and floor-to ceiling windows. Each will measure 300sq-feet, the same size as Jewel Class, and will be located on the ships Diamond Deck - see www.tauck.com.

Turner Classic Movies cruise

Courtney McCutcheon, Travelworld Glendale; Stacie Wroe Johnson, Jetset Castle Hill; Captain Nick Carlton, Princess Cruises; Alison Watts, Jetset Travelworld Network; Sue Norris, Travelworld Merrylands and Mimi Hannaford from Diploma World Travel Homebush. Seated: Maria Failla, Jetset Hurtsville; Jen Brushe, Jetset Travel Wahroonga Village; Helen Mezzen and Emma Pequin, both Princess Cruises business development managers. US CABLE network Turner Classic Movies has kicked off preparations for its third TCM Classic Cruise aboard Disney Magic, scheduled to take place from 08-13 Dec. Tickets for the voyage, which will depart from Miami and sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay, will go on sale next month, with further details and celebrity appearances still to be advised. The second TCM cruise featured legendary entertainment luminaries such as Mickey Rooney, Alex Trebek, Debbie Reynolds & more.

Did You Know?

APT
APT was founded in 1927 when the current owners father believed money could be made in one of two businesses: funerals or buses. He opted for buses, building a bus body on a tray truck after a tram strike affected Melbourne. It was an inspired move that saw the company evolve into coach tours and the APT of today. APTs longest serving employee is APT owner and hands-on director Geoff McGeary, with 52 years of dedicated service. The next longest has been with APT for 39 years. Guests on APTs popular European River Cruises certainly work up an appetite. On a typical two week cruise, APT customers consume 840 litres of milk, 1500 litres of wine, 6300 eggs and a tonne of meat.

Aurora adds Alaska in 2014

ALASKA will become the newest destination added to the Aurora Expeditions small-ship range, with the companys first Ultimate Adventure - Alaskas Inside Passage itinerary departing from Seattle on May 29 next year. Cruises will be operated by the Wilderness Adventurer, and will sail around the US states coastlines, entering secluded bays larger ships are unable to navigate, the company says. Catering to 60 passengers per voyage, cruises will offer small Zodiac boats to get passengers to the shore, with expert staff offering guided trekking options as part of shore excursions, with sea kayaking, paddle boards and polar snorkelling equipment available for guests to use while in port. Cabins on the 17-day itinerary are priced from US$7500pp twin share - view more on the itinerary at www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

Uniworld attracts singles

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has experienced great success with its promotion to waive the single supplement on a wide variety of European itineraries. On this weeks sailing along the Po River, Italy, Cruise Weekly counted 33 solo travellers out of 90 passengers onboard. The single supplement has been waived or reduced on several other cruises on the Po, Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Moselle, Saone, Main and Duoro rivers, and for booking details, see www.uniworldcruises.com.au/solo-travelers. MEANWHILE, savings of up to $4075 per person are available for Uniworlds 18-day Paris & The Heart of Europe itinerary on three departures, travelling from Paris to Vienna. Sailing aboard the River Princess, fares start from $4271 per person for departures on 25 Aug, 05 Oct and 16 Oct 2013. For more details, see www.bit.ly/unisaving.

South American Discovery Cruising

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Tuesday 7 May 2013

Its a Pirates Life - Just not for me

by: Roderick Eime
MODERN day piracy is nothing like the glamourised Jack Sparrow of Hollywood. Its a guerrilla war being waged in international waters between highly mobile and stealthy gangs of increasingly well-armed and equipped locals and the ships that come into their waters. On a recent trip through the Gulf of Guinea (near Nigeria) I was able to experience first-hand the thrill of sailing through a known pirate hotspot, but I fully appreciate this kind of excitement is not for all tastes. So just what are the real concerns about piracy & cruise travel? Generally, piracy and poverty are closely linked. Locals who, for one reason or another, have had their traditional livelihoods compromised often turn to banditry as a way of feeding their families. In the Gulf of Guinea, most pirate activity is around Lagos in Nigeria where vulnerable oil tankers and fishing vessels tie up or anchor with little or no security. There havent been any attacks on passenger vessels in this area to date, Mike, our onboard security team leader said in an address to the hushed passengers, but thats not to say either the targets or the boundaries wont change at some point. Attacks on tankers and fishing vessels though, are rife. They are slow and easy to board. One of our crew has been the victim of pirate attack (twice) while aboard a tanker in these waters and some attacks have been violent. MS Expedition, though, was prepared. Razor wire, fixed fire hoses and high powered weapons were our defence and this obvious display of readiness is what usually deters would-be attackers. Veteran travel journalist, Ian McMahon of travelagentupdate.com, transited the Suez Canal last year aboard a heavily fortified Voyager of the Seas. The thought that we were a sitting duck was highlighted by the captains instruction that the ship was to be blacked out at night, wrote Ian in the Winter 2012 issue. We even practiced a special drill that moved all pax from outside cabins inside. Operation Safe Haven is designed to move all guests away from open decks, balconies and windows in the unlikely event we encounter suspicious boat activity in the proximity of the vessel during our transit, we were told. To date, the Suez and Somali coast has been the only region where pirates have targeted cruise ships with Ponant, Seabourn, Azamara, MSC, Transocean, Oceania and Saga all experiencing events ranging from capture, gunfire and escape. Touch wood, no cruise ship passenger has yet been injured, but in the case of Seabourn, it was a close shave when two RPG (rocket) rounds struck the vessel. Prior to my departure I had received a note from G Adventures advising that anti-piracy precautions would be taken, including a three-man security team. While not all passengers claim to have seen this message, such prior advice is crucial in allowing passengers to make an informed decision on such matters and this responsibility falls directly in the lap of the cruise line and the agent making the booking. In McMahons case, these anti-piracy measures came as an unwelcome surprise. Passengers should be advised about special security arrangements before they depart, he notes. That said, there is some responsibility for intending passengers to be aware of any danger in their destination and not be alarmed when their cruise line takes reasonable precautions.

Local skiff comes under scrutiny

Weapons testing aboard MS Expedition

Somali pirates on the warpath

Cruise Weekly is Australias favourite online cruising publication. In production since 2007, Cruise Weekly is published each Tuesday, with a further travel industry update each Thursday. Cruise Weekly is free and is sent to subscribers via email as an Adobe Acrobat PDF document. Sign up for a free subscription at www.cruiseweekly.com.au. PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Phone: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221

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