Cruise

W E E K L Y
Tuesday 13 August 2013

Royal Caribbean welcomes 50 million

The cruise line is celebrating its milestone of 50 million passengers with a new sales campaign and parties on all of its ships.
Royal Caribbean International is throwing a global New Years Eve-style party across its fleet to mark the achievement of its guests, business partners, employees and crew. A year-long campaign has kicked off, where passengers are encouraged to share their favourite WOW moments from Royal Caribbean cruises by posting photos, videos and stories on Facebook and Instagram under the hashtag #RoyalWOW. For more than 45 years, Royal Caribbeans guiding principle has been to deliver the wow to our guests, providing them with experiences, services and amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, said Adam Goldstein, RCIs president and CEO. The men and women on our ships who deliver these WOW moments are what inspire our loyal guests to return to sail with us again and again. The line started cruising in Australian waters in the late 1990s and opened an office in Sydney almost five years ago, during which time it has welcomed half a million Australians and New Zealanders on Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The three ships return to the region for another local season from October. MEANWHILE, the company is offering reduced prices on some December cruises after a new survey showed two-thirds of Australians believe that getting away from it all would make Christmas better. Adam Armstrong, commercial director at Royal Caribbean Cruises Australasia said: A cruise is a great value option at Christmas time, from as little as $166 per person per day including meals, accommodation and lots of entertainment. And of course theres no arguing over whos going to do the washing up! Fares for a nine-night South Pacific cruise onboard Voyager of the Seas, departing Sydney on 18 December 2013 start from $1,499 per person. For a limited time, balcony cabins are available for the price of an oceanview from $2,199 per person. To book, contact a travel agent, phone 1800 754 500 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au.

Tell us what you think of CW!

Cruise Weekly is this week conducting our first ever reader survey, aiming to get your feedback on Australias leading online cruise publication. The brief online survey is anonymous, but readers who complete it and optionally give us their details will also go into a draw to win a $100 gift card. Please help us out by completing the survey which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

iPad entertainment on Pandaw

pandaw River Expeditions will provide preprogrammed iPad units in guest cabins on its new RV Mekong Pandaw. Using specially designed apps loaded onto the iPads, passengers will be able to watch movies, listen to music, Skype and surf the net. Information on ports, daily programs, dining menus, local weather forecasts and more will also be available on the in-room technology.

Winter Solstice Sale

Free Concierge to AquaClass Upgrade* Free Flights on selected sailings* Save up to $560* pp Australias highest rated superliner
*Terms & conditions apply.

Sun Princess drydock works

Princess Cruises has invested $30 million on a major dry dock renovation of its Sun Princess vessel, which is currently underway at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore. During the two-week project, the vessel will receive a redesigned atrium complete with the lines signature International Cafe facility. In addition, brand new sushi and seafood restaurants will be installed along with an updated buffet and upgraded Lotus Spa facility. Further enhancements will be made to existing dining venues, including expanded seating layouts and modified decor. Upon emerging from dry dock, Sun Princess will embark on a season of Australia cruises before returning to Japan from Apr next year.

SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS

2014 BROCHURE OUT NOW

$500 AIR CREDIT

per person*
Book by 31 October 2013

Learn more.

CALL 1300 278 278 or visit www.aptouring.com.au

*Conditions apply. Contact APT for full terms & conditions. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619 Lic. No. 30112 MKT12050_CW

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

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Tuesday 13 August 2013
RESPONSES are in to the first round of questions Cruise Weekly received from readers for Holland America Line & Seabourn director of sales Australia, Tony Archbold. Based on feedback, what are the most popular parts of a Holland America Line vessel? Does your target market respond better to a casino as opposed to a nightclub? From the feedback we receive, the main reasons our guests choose to travel with Holland America Line is because of our spacious and elegant mid size ships, the variety of dining opportunities and venues from the relaxed to the sophisticated, the extensive activities and enrichment programs that we have both onboard & ashore and our amazing selection of worldwide itineraries. Once onboard the most popular activities vary dependant on the make up of the guest list which often reflects the itinerary. Whether its cooking classes, cocktail lessons, the gym, our Digital Workshops in association with Microsoft or listening to our fascinating guest speakers, our guests are never bored. While each of our ships has a casino and venues at which you can dance the night away they are but two of many ways our guests pass their time on Holland America Line. As a long time Seabourn regular cruiser, I was interested to read online and hear from other Seabourn friends of the introduction of the new on-board childrens programme. I am finding it difficult to find out more info from the sales team. Could you explain what it is, how it works and how much it will cost? Seabourn has developed a program to employ youth counsellors on cruises where we are aware that there will be an unusual number of children. These itineraries tend to be on our cruises in the Mediterranean during July and August. The counsellors operate fun, age-appropriate activities that allow the children to have a good time that is not disruptive to the enjoyment of other guests. It should be said that many of Seabourns itineraries are port-intensive and thus many or most of the children who may be on board are off the ship with their parents during port days. There is no cost associated with this service.

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Glitch grants $33/day cruise bargain

Is this the cheapest cruise ever? 15 nights in Asia on Sapphire Princess for $500!
A FEW lucky Australians scored the deal of the year yesterday after a cruise was advertised online for the incorrect price more than $3,500 less in some cases. Cruise Sale Finder accidentally used the five-night fare for a 15-night Princess Cruises voyage from Singapore to Thailand and Indonesia, which was quickly snapped up by several people. Four women paid $500 each for a quad-share cabin today it is advertised for the corrected fare of $1,472 per person. Another couple paid $647 per person twinshare for an outside obstructed view cabin today the starting price is $2,177. Cruise Sale Finder was obliged to honour the deal because the customers had paid their deposits. People who enquired or booked without paying the deposit received an apology and a $100 onboard credit. Confirmed cruisers and those who missed out discussed the inadvertent discount on Facebook cruising pages including CruiseAholics, Cruising Solo and Cruisey Life Uncensored. Cruise Sale Finders general manager Ryan Posa also explained its mistake on its Facebook page: The incorrect cruise code was loaded against the cruise so the incorrect rates were displayed. While we try to keep the website free from errors, sometimes human errors are made, Posa said apologetically. The five-night cruise (roundtrip from Singapore to Bangkok and Koh Samui, departing 8 January 2015) had the cruise code H502 and the 15-nighter (Singapore, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Komodo Island, Lombok, Singapore) was H502A. Speaking to Cruise Weekly, Posa said the wrong fare was not picked up by staff for more than 24 hours so everyone jumped on it. The company received 26 enquiries, with a few paying their deposits before the error was discovered. We honoured the bookings of the people who paid the deposit in time, which I think is fair, Posa said. On some bookings we lost over $3,500 and were only a small travel agency, not a big cruise line. Its just one of those things! The website - www.cruisesalefinder.com.au is operated by Cruise Republic, a New Zealand company registered in Australia.

50 MILLION GUESTS WORLDWIDE

FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

THIS WEEK WE CELEBRATE

Flagship cruise for Scenic Jade

The newest vessel to join the Scenic Tours fleet - Scenic Jade - will commence operations on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers upon its debut, scheduled for next year. From 14 May until 12 Nov 2014, the ship will operate the companys flagship 15-day Jewels of Europe River Cruise itinerary from Budapest to Amsterdam and return.

THANK YOU

Gemini to relocate to Xiamen

STAR Cruises has announced the SuperStar Gemini will be deployed to operate from the Chinese city of Xiamen from 09 Oct this year. The vessel will operate three itineraries ranging in duration from 5-7 nights to ports along the Taiwanese coast & Hong Kong as well as Boracay and Manila in the Philippines.

Email your questions for Tony to expert@cruiseweekly.com.au

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

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Saying hello to fellow local traders and consumers recently was the team from Cruiseabout Armadale the newest addition to the Melbourne suburbs retail precinct. Over the course of their opening afternoon, the team introduced themselves and spoke of their passion for cruising. The mission was surely helped by appealing to peoples sweet tooth and offering a special Oceania Cruises cupcake to sink their teeth into. Armadale locals reacted very positively to their new Cruiseabout location, with many stories shared from their own cruising experiences and a local bridal shop talking of collaborating for a dual promotional night. Pictured above right is Jane Tanti from Cruise Office, who popped in to help with the opening celebrations, with store manager Roland Kautzky and Alicia Bush.

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Cruiseabout welcomed into Armadale, Vic

P O R T H O L E
GENTLEMEN, think twice before going skinny-dipping in Swedens coastal waters. Reports have come in of the discovery of the pacu fish - a relative of the piranha caught in Swedish waters, most concerning because this type of fish is known to be partial to biting off...erm...mens genitalia. Although the ship doesnt prey on the male part, it normally eats small fruit and small fish it finds, but apparently, male testicles are about the same size and fit in its mouth, so it goes for them anyway. Natural History Museum of Denmark fish expert Henrik Carl said the fish is not normally dangerous to humans. It has quite a serious bite [and] there have been incidents in other countries, such as Papua New Guinea where some men have had their testicles bitten off, Carl said. The museum played down the warning of swimming in Swedish waters however, saying it was performing tests on the fish to learn more about its...umm...dietary habits.

Viking get behind new exhibit

Sydneys National Maritime Museum has partnered with Viking River Cruises to jointly promote and support the upcoming Vikings Beyond the Legend exhibition, which is due to open at the museum from 19 Sep. The exhibition will showcase hundreds of artefacts from the Viking era, including swords dating back to between 700-1100AD, gold and silver pendants, jewellery, arts, metal work, statuettes and much more. Viking River Cruises Australia managing director Teresia Fors said the company was proud to work with the museum on this exhibit. It is a rare opportunity to find something so intimately connected to our history and where there is such an obvious connection to our brand, Fors said. Vikings have come to symbolise the terror of the so-called Dark Ages in Europe. They are a persistent presence in popular culture and hold a fascination for people even here in Australia, National Maritime Museum curator Dr Stephen Gapps added.

Summer of sports for P&O

two special sport cruises for horse racing and tennis fans have been scheduled by P&O Cruises for the next two summer seasons aboard Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel. Operating in Nov this year and again in 2014, horse racing fans will be able to book on a six-night cruise to the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, with fares including transfers from the port to the track, general admission and a variety of on-board events. Fares are priced from $1,099 per person quad share, departing Sydney on 02 Nov this year and 01 Nov next year. MEANWHILE, tennis lovers can enjoy a four-night sailing from Sydney to Melbourne departing on 20 Jan 2014, timed to coincide with Australian Open Grand Slam tournament. The sailing includes transfers to Melbourne Park Tennis Centre and general access to the precinct in time for the singles quarter-final matches, with first opportunity to upgrade tickets to reserved seating in Rod Laver Arena from $100pp ahead of the general public. Staterooms for the first cruise are priced from $609pp quad share, with a five-night voyage scheduled for the 2015 tournament, departing on 19 Jan 2015. More information at www.pocruises.com.au.

Huge French growth for Tauck

tauck has reported growth of 137% on its French river cruise bookings in the two years it has been operating in the region. The US-based touring firm is celebrating the achievement by further expanding its offerings in the region to seven itineraries on the Rhone, Seine and Sane from 2014 - two brand new with voyages to take place on two ships - the MS Swiss Sapphire and MS Swiss Emerald. The move has proven popular already, with year-on-year pre-season bookings up 650%.

Celebrity propulsion problems

repairs are currently being carried out in the Alaskan port of Seward on one of the propulsion engines aboard Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Millennium, which experienced electrical issues over the weekend. The ship is expected to remain in the port for a few more days, with affected guests given the option of remaining onboard or heading to Anchorage, along with a full refund, a future credit and assistance with travel expenses. Despite the engine problem, there have been no disruptions to onboard services such as lights, toilets, air-conditioning or elevators.

Cunards new Aussie packages

Extended land & sea packages incorporating a 9-14 day tour of Australia book-ended by a cruise in and out of Sydney on one of Cunards Queens have been launched by the company. The packages have been developed around the sailing schedules of the lines three vessels - Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 - which will all visit Australia at various times early next year. Sydneys Blue Mountains, Alice Springs and the Great Barrier Reef are among the regions land touring components will include.

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

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THE Northern Territory Government has appointed SeaLink Travel Group as the new provider of the Mandorah ferry service, taking over from Fast Ferries from 01 Sep. The Mandorah ferry operates the journey between Cullen Bay (near Darwin Airport) and Mandorah up to 14 times per day, with a travel time of approx 15 minutes each way. SeaLink NT will form part of the SeaLink Travel Group which currently operates ferry services in Queensland, NSW and SA. We are committed to providing a high level of service and to developing tourism as part of our operations, STG managing director Jeff Ellison said. The service will initially be operated by a 22.5m three-level ship, however SeaLink plans to relocate a more modern air-conditioned 110-seat Incat Crowther catamaran from Melbourne to perform the route by mid-Sep. MEANWHILE, SeaLink Travel Group has named former Sydney Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull AO to the companys Board of Directors.

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New SeaLink service launched First female Silversea captain

SILVERSEa Cruises has appointed a female captain for the first time in its 20-year history, with Margrith Ettlin promoted to the top job on the lines Silver Explorer. Ettlin, who brings extensive experience in maritime operations in remote regions, took charge of the vessel on 07 Aug in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, with her inaugural run as Captain extending into Oct. Were very pleased and proud to extend this promotion to Captain Ettlin, Silverseas executive vice president of fleet operations Christian Sauleau said.

No more love for this boat

pacific Princess, the vessel famously known as The Love Boat due to its involvement in the long-running hit US comedy/soap of the same name, will soon be no more as it is set to be scrapped for its metal and parts by its new Turkish owners, the Izmir Ship Recycling Co. The ship was the main scene during the popular TV shows run from 1977 to 1986. Last week, the vessel barely completed its final trip from Genoa to the wrecking yard in the town of Aliaga on the Aegean coast, and began taking on water before being stabilised upon its arrival. The 13,500-tonne vessel will now be taken apart, having been officially decommissioned for the past five years.

Incentives to entice new ships

financial incentives such as a 10% saving on goods and services bought by cruise lines have been approved by Puerto Rico officials as a means of enticing more cruise ship visits. The US territory has been investing in several significant improvements to its cruise terminal in recent years, aimed at making the port more attractive to larger ships.

New app not lost in translation

TRAVELLERS visiting a foreign port and having difficulty communicating with locals can help bridge the linguistic gap via a new translation app launched by Celebrity Cruises. In what it claims as an industry first, the app allows users to speak or type in an English phrase, at which point the foreign translation appears on screen, with formal or slang options available via an interactive phrase book. Eighty standard phrases in 11 languages are available in the free version of the app, along with 56 cruise-related phrases, with additional languages via one of three add-on packs able to be bought within the app. It also offers a flashcard learning system to help those keener on developing their local language skills. Travel tips, dining guides, country information, safety advice and hints on general etiquette are also available from the new program.

Recipe of the Month

Miso-Glazed Sea Bass in Hoba Leaf (serves 4)

This months recipe comes to you from Oceania Cruises

Preparation
Mix sake & mirin in a heavy-based non-reactive saucepan, bring to the boil, and continue to boil for 2-3 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate. Stir in sugar with a wooden spoon until dissolved, then slowly mix in the miso paste and soy sauce a little at a time. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly so as not to let the mixture burn, for 10-15 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve to remove lumps, allow to cool and then chill until quite cold. Place the fish in a non-reactive container, pour a good splash of Miso mixture over each fillet and leave to marinate for a minimum of three hours and up to two days in the refrigerator. When ready to cook the fish, preheat a hot grill 4 sea bass fillets, each about 125g, still with or the oven to 200C. skin but any pin bones removed Place the fillets in the grill pan or on a non-stick 1/3 cup sake baking sheet and cook under the grill or in 1/3 cup mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)* 1/3 cup light yellow miso (fermented soybean preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, turning once if grilling, until cooked through and golden on paste)* the outside. 3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar Place one hoba leaf on each serving dish, place 2 tablespoons soy sauce the sea bass in the middle of the leaf with a little 4 hoba leafs extra miso. Fold each end of leaf over the top of 4 mini pegs the sea bass and secure with the peg.

Art lovers voyage on the Seine

APT sister-brand Botanica has designed a new art-themed itinerary focused on drawing inspiration from the scenic French landscapes and exploring the regions artistic history. The eight-day cruise on the Seine River will be operated by the MS AmaLegro, departing Paris on 15 May next year. Guests will be able to learn more about famous artists including Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Pissarro during the voyage, which will visit Rouen and Honfleur before returning to the French capital city. Art tutor & guest lecturer Hugh Brian Martin will host the voyage and offer tips and insights on art via lessons in water colour techniques. The voyage is priced from $4,295pp twin share - for more details, phone 1300 305 202.

Ingredients

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

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Islands Made For Cruising: Part Five

by: Roderick Eime
Native Culture: Trobriand Islands (PNG) The islands (note plural) of Papua New Guinea deliver some of the most fascinating and hypnotic cultural and indigenous experiences anywhere on our planet. From the wild and mysterious huli wig men, mud men and duk duks, the tribal diversity and sheer visual spectacular of PNG is sometimes matched, but never surpassed. Just to the north of the eastern-most tip of the mainland, into the Solomon Sea, are the Trobriand Islands, a fabled land of sorcery, black magic and entrancing damsels to rival the Tahitians. And binding the many outer islands together is the ancient and secret art of kula. Medang-based Melanesian anthropologist, Dr Nancy Sullivan, explains: Kula is nothing if not a game of influence. And, just as women will achieve reputations for being alluring and influential, men gain renown for their skill at kula. Indeed, in a matrilineal society, where land and titles are reckoned through the mothers and sisters of a family, and where men work for their nieces and nephews rather than their own children, it is kula that makes men famous. They gain status in life and live through history by their achievements at kula. And with the valuables they have worked so hard to win--but which must eventually be traded away--men will decorate their sons and daughters for ceremonial occasions. In this way, while bequeathing them nothing, they give them the gift of adornment and beauty, and in so doing provide that very important edge in the competitive art of persuasion. Nancy regularly travels as a guest lecturer aboard Coral Princess journeys to PNG. See also Orion Expeditions and North Star Cruises for more great itineraries and of course, P&Os historic return. Parties and Nightlife: Whitehaven Beach (Qld) Lets face it, parties and cruise ships go hand in hand, so if youre looking for the place to find the ultimate beach party, then it has to be right here in tropical Queensland on glorious Whitehaven Beach. Just once each year, usually in late August to coincide with the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, Whitehaven Beach on idyllic Whitsunday Island goes off! Sydney-based celebrity journalist and socialite, Jacqui Lang, says: Its a sun drenched, afternoon of riotous fun and frivolity on one of the best beaches in the world. It just has to be the greatest beach party in the Southern Hemisphere. If you came to the Whitsundays for peace, quiet and tropical tranquillity, then youd better stay well clear! Originally an informal afternoon of drinkies for the yachtsmen on layday, the word soon got out and the legend grew in line with the rumours. Some will say the original relaxed concept has been perverted, but certainly not the hundreds of sunlovers who party there all afternoon and into the night. Oh, the hangovers & sunburn! For those not so inclined, nearby Hamilton Island has a superb range of eateries for all budgets where you cam enjoy a plate of prawns and a crisp chardonnay any time you like. P&O Cruises are regular visitors to Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays and theres even locally-based companies available for day tours.

Credit: Tourism Queensland

P&O Pacific Dawn cruises to Whitsundays and PNG

Whitsundays, ultimate party island?

Young dancers on the Trobriands

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

Advertising and Marketing: Christie-Lee Lachance, Magda Herdzik and Lisa Martin Email: advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au Business Manager: Jenny Piper Email: accounts@traveldaily.com.au Part of the Travel Daily group of publications.

Publisher/Managing Editor: Bruce Piper Editor: Louise Goldsbury Production Editor: Matt Lennon Contributors: Roderick Eime, Guy Dundas and Olivia Archbold Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au

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Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of Cruise Weekly no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.

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

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