With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer & Maritime Historian

 

 

Incorporating: Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Cruises,

Cunard Line, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises Australia

 

Carnival Corporation & Plc - News Updates

Australian, New Zealand & Asian Edition 

 

Provided by www.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html

  

On This Page 

P&O Cruises Australia:   MV Pacific Sun sold!

P&O Cruises Australia:   In 2012 it will be 80 years of P&O Cruising from Australia, NOW that is an amazing achievement!

Carnival Group, Plc:        a Big Surge in Australian’s Cruising the Pacific with P&O and Princess up by 140% from 2008!

Cunard Line:                  Announces MV Queen Mary 2 was a refited in December 2011, just prior her world cruise and circumnavigation voyage of Australia!

Cunard Line:                  MV Queen Mary 2 – Brand new 2013 - 12 night round voyage Sydney to New Zealand back to Sydney cruise.

Seabourn Yachts:             MV Seabourn Quest 2013 grand world cruise announced!

Seabourn Yachts:             Brand new super Luxury Yacht MV Seabourn Quest named and off on maiden cruise.

P&O Cruises UK:                New 115,000-ton MV Azura Australia bound on world cruise in 2013.

P&O Cruises UK:                New 141,000-ton Cruise Ship in 2015.

P&O Cruises UK:                New “Pathfinder” ship - MV Adonia has been named by Dame Shirley Bassey on May 21, 2011.

P&O Cruises Australia:   All ShipsNew Ports and additional Chort Cruises.

Princess Cruises:           MV Royal Princess – A New Ship to arrive 2013.

Carnival Cruise Line:        MV Carnival Spirit – the largest ship ever to cruise from Australian waters arrives in 2012.

P&O Cruises Australia:   MV Pacific Pearl to have spectacular new facilities!

P&O Cruises UK:                2012 World Cruises released on Oriana, Aurora and Arcadia

Cunard Line:                  Announces MV Queen Mary 2 and MV Queen Elizabeth 2012 Grand World Voyages

P&O Cruises Australia:   MV Pacific Sun visiting Norfolk Island after 78 years – The Island issues a series of P&O ship Stamps!

Seabourn Yachts:             Seabourn’s two ships to be based in Asia

Seabourn Yachts:             New super Luxury Yacht MV Seabourn Odyssey revealed and sets sail

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Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a 100% non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and I am NOT associated with a cruise company or directly involved with a Cruise/Travel agency and thus do NOT benefit by recommending ships or good cruise agencies! I have been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and I am currently retired, but continue to write cruise & ship reviews and articles to inform cruise & ship enthusiasts to provide information for those intending a cruise. Why? Because I love giving my readers the best possible information available and I will tell you the truth, even if a Cruise company does not like it! That is why I stay independent! Regarding a Good Cruise Agency - if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to what I consider a dedicated cruise agent either in Australia, New Zealand, Asia or around the world. These agents all are specialists in cruising and they will be able to provide you with the best advice as well as offer the best fares available. Again be assured, I do NOT receive a commission from these agents and these agents will not even be aware of my involvement as I provide the enquirer with the requested information on the page, or on the “AGENTS” page, of agents (in their region) and their contact details. Thus they will not be aware that you will have found them via my site, unless you tell them and there is no need to do so! It is only my hope that you receive the very best cruise possible! … Also you will note that at times I will speak out and may even be somewhat controversial, but as honesty is my motto, and I believe in integrity, I will say what I believe to be right. I have not been in this industry since 1960 for nothing, and having managed some of the largest passenger shipping companies and a cruise company, I should know what the industry is all about. Thus, if I offend anyone, or you disagree with me, I am sorry, but we all have opinions, but I am speaking from vast experience, and I will praise all that is good, but will also say it, as it is! Reuben Goossens.

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MV Pacific Sun

Carnival Australia announces the sale of Pacific Sun after more than seven years with P&O Cruises and half a million passengers

December 19. 2011: Carnival Australia today announced the sale of MV Pacific Sun after more than seven years in the P&O Cruises’ fleet during which she earned a well deserved reputation as one of Australia’s favourite cruise ship. The sale of the 1,900-passenger Pacific Sun comes at a time of unprecedented expansion of Carnival Australia’s cruise business in Australia and New Zealand following consecutive years of double digit annual growth. Pacific Sun’s farewell from the P&O Cruises’ fleet in July next year is seen as a natural progression in Carnival Australia’s multi-brand strategy in which it is introducing more ships into the world’s fastest growing cruise market.

P&O Cruises will continue to play a central role in the growth of the Australian and New Zealand cruise market. Her last cruise with P&O Cruises – a seven night cruise to the Pacific Islands – will depart from Brisbane on July 1, 2012. Since 2007, Carnival Australia’s local fleet has grown from just two ships to six superships, three with P&O Cruises,’ being the MV Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl and with Princess Cruises’ the MV Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess. Then in October next year, Carnival Australia will welcome Carnival Cruise Lines’ 88,500-tonne MV Carnival Spirit to sail full time from Sydney. Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Sun had made a big contribution to the growth of the local cruise industry and had introduced many thousands of people to cruising. “Pacific Sun earned her well deserved reputation as ‘Australia’s favourite cruise ship’ and has been an important element in our amazing growth story,” Ms Sherry said. “It is thanks to her popularity that we have grown so quickly and successfully.”

There is no doubt that some cruises will be affected by Pacific Sun’s departure from the fleet and P&O Cruises is assisting passengers to make alternative arrangements. This includes:

·         Rebooking the majority of passengers on equivalent or near equivalent cruises on other P&O Cruises’ ships

·         Offering a choice of alternative cruises on other ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet where a near equivalent match is not possible

·         Providing a full refund to passengers for whom no alternative cruise choice is suitable

Ms Sherry said that many past passengers would be sorry to see the old favourite Pacific Sun go and she would be given a very warm send off from the fleet. “I am certain many of Pacific Sun’s loyal followers will want to sail with her one last time before we bid her a fond farewell,” Ms Sherry said. “We will be happy to welcome them onboard as Pacific Sun completes her proud service with P&O Cruises.”

Cruise Australia has been advised, but this has not been officially confirmed, that the 25 year-old MV Pacific Sun has been purchased by a Chinese company who intends to launch a new program of cruises out of China at the end of 2012. Over the past years she has had a good number of excellent refits and has become a most pleasant ship indeed, although she has had her occasional problems, but then even the premier cruise ships experience this, thus this is not something that is peculiar to just one ship. I clearly recalls the days that the QE2, Dawn Princess, NCL’s Pride of America and other 4 or 5 star ships suffered massive problems and that makes the few problems that the Pacific Sun ever had very minor indeed!

For bookings on Pacific Sun’s final Cruises contact Corie …

 

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

 

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

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80 Years of P&O Cruising in 2012

Ever since 1932, Australians and New Zealanders have had an ongoing love affair with cruising on a P&O liner until this day, as the company currently operates four fine cruise ships. Today’s P&O Cruises has a long well established history and it’s origins goes back to the establishment of the famed Orient Line in 1777, and then in 1852 the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) came into being. Both companies collectively operated their ships on the Australian and New Zealand service but then in 1960 it was decided for the two companies to fully merge and to create the world’s largest ocean-going passenger fleet. Thus there is no doubt that today’s P&O Cruises Australia has come out of a great and a long established British maritime heritage, but today is very much an all Australian Cruise Company.

P&O Lines First Australian Cruise

 

The three funnelled RMS Strathaird departs Sydney on her very first Australian cruise

Photograph from the P&O archives

Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) became the first major world shipping company to operate a pleasure cruise out of Australia and on Friday December 23, 1932, with 1,100 passengers on board, the elegant RMS Strathaird became first cruise ship as she gently slipped past Sydney Heads heading for Norfolk Island on a five day Christmas cruise.

Authors note: After her World War II trooper’s duties she was fully refitted and she had her forward and aft dummy funnels removed and thus became a single funnel liner in 1947. Thus, when she visited Norfolk Island in 1932 she still had all her funnels, although the commemorative stamp shows her with a single funnel.

The Verandah Café on the Strathmore

Photograph from the author’s private collection

Today P&O operates four stylish ships the MV Pacific Sun (operating from various ports), MV Pacific Pearl (operates from Sydney and Auckland), MV Pacific Jewel (Sydney) and her twin sister the Pacific Dawn (Brisbane) and she is shown below. Their facilities are superb and obviously the cuisine , service and entertainment is far superior that those old days when we made very much tour own fun and just had one band to dance to. Totoda it is fine cuisine, and grand shows in multi level Showrooms/Theatres and superb very friendly and efficient service!

The Brisbane based MV Pacific Dawn with her rounded dome atop the ship that is called “The Dome”

Photo provided by P&O © Copyright

 

Here we see the spectacular “The Dome” with an 180 degree ocean views!

Photo by & © Reuben Goossens

 

Here are the two pools and Lido deck on the P&O latest ship the MV Pacific Jewel

Photo provided by P&O © Copyright

Visit our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

These include Cruise reviews and photo pages

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Sun / Pacific Pearl

P&O Cruises UK: Aurora / Oriana / Artemis

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess

Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts

 

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

 

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

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A Big Surge in Cruising to the South Pacific

Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, today released the line’s 2010 Sustainability Report and forecast further strong cruising growth with more than a quarter of a million traveller’s expected to cruise to the South Pacific in 2013. The two Carnival Australia cruise brands being P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, would together account for 195,000 passengers, representing a 140 per cent increase in their passenger numbers from 81,800 in 2005. The two cruise lines between them would conduct some 118 cruises to the South Pacific in 2013, nearly double their 2005 schedule of 64 cruises to the islands and these numbers do not even include the massive numbers cruising to New Zealand!

In 2012 Carnival Australia will also add a third shipping line Carnival Cruises and with their new and much larger family oriented ship with huge water and fun parks, the 88,500-ton MV Carnival Spirit will attract many new comers to cruising as she has new and innovative attractions.

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Cunard announces “Queen Mary 2 to receive a Refit”

MV Queen Mary 2 seen in Sydney

Photograph provided by Carnival Corporation & Plc & Cunard Line - ©

October 28, 2011: Cunard Line has released details of a refit of their flagship MV Queen Mary 2 in preparation for her eighth birthday in January 2012. This major refurbishment and interior redesign includes all new carpets, curtains, bedcovers and linens for all staterooms and the many new features will make a voyage even more appealing aboard what is said to be “the grandest cruise ship” at sea.

The refit will take place at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, commencing from November 24 through to December 7. The major soft goods refurbishments will comprise all staterooms, Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants, also the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel’s, the Play Zone/Kids’ Zone, and a complete redesign of the Golden Lion Pub.  

To ensure that the latest changes will complement the ship’s signature elegance and glamour throughout, Cunard has again partnered with the noted Tillberg Design AB in Höganäs, Sweden, the company involved in Queen Mary 2’s original design.

“Queen Mary 2 is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and continues to receive high ratings by guests and the cruise industry,” said Cunard Line President Peter Shanks.  “A ship that still turns heads everywhere she goes, she is unquestionably the pride of our fleet.  We are committed to maintaining that impeccable reputation, and this significant refurbishment is an important investment on behalf of our guests.”

The refurbishment will take place just two months before Queen Mary 2 arrives in Australia in February 2012 for her historic maiden circumnavigation of the country.

The 14-day refit will require a team of thousands of workers replacing the equivalent of almost ten football pitches of carpet and manufacturing about 46 square kilometres of fabric into more than 6000 individual items.  Specific plans include:

·                     Staterooms – All 1310 staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 will receive a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains and beddings, and some will receive new furniture.  The revised design will be in keeping with current designs but with an enhanced sense of luxurious comfort, as can be experienced in luxury hotels around the world.

·                     Golden Lion Pub – With its increasingly popular traditional British pub lunch menus, busy bar, exciting sports events and nightly music offerings, the pub will benefit from a complete refurbishment and redesign to enhance its endearing appeal. The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes an American country club feel similar to the warm colours and plush seating in the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.  Upgraded television screens will also be installed.

·                     Canyon Ranch SpaClub – An extensive refurbishment of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea will include the teak surrounds of the hydrotherapy pool and adjacent wet areas, and a general upgrade of all the facilities.  In addition, new exercise machines in the fitness centre and new and improved features in the Beauty Salon will be installed.

·                     Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants – A new, lighter carpet design for both of Queen Mary 2’s exclusive Grill restaurants will enhance the existing ambience, maintaining the reputation of these fine dining venues as among the best at sea or on land.

Here is our first look at the all new Queens Grill after the refit

·                     Commodore Club – One of the most visited public rooms aboard Queen Mary 2, this breathtaking lounge overlooking her bow will be refreshed with a new carpet design and additions to the white leather furnishings of chairs, sofas and bar stools.

·                     Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar – this venue featuring the exquisite Veuve Clicquot brand of champagne will see a new carpet and soft furnishings design.

·                     Sir Samuel’s – This busy venue which features specialty coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, will receive a new compliment of carpeting and furniture coverings.

·                     The Play Zone/Kids’ Zone – Cunard’s first-rate facilities for younger guests will undergo a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.

In addition to the refit, when MV Queen Mary 2 returns to service on December 8 she will introduce several new on board features, details of which will be disclosed soon.

MV Queen Mary 2 was recently named the world’s Top Large Resort Ship in the new 2012 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising.  By continuing to invest in both her technical and hotel areas and retaining her grand status with signature White Star Service, the largest ballroom at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea, and the largest library at sea, Cunard endeavours to ensure a consistently special voyage experience that will meet loyal guests’ expectations and turn first-time guests into true Cunarders.

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

 

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Cunard Announces New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation for

MV Queen Mary 2

The world’s most famous ship Queen Mary 2 will sail from Sydney on a history-making 12-night Royal Circumnavigation of New Zealand in March 2013, Cunard Line announced today.

The roundtrip New Zealand voyage – a first for Cunard – is testament to the growing popularity of cruising in Australia and New Zealand.

The special itinerary is a highlight of the cruise line’s new 2013 world voyage program, which features three Queens, with both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria visiting Australia.

During her 104-night world voyage, the 151,400-tonne Queen Mary 2 will call at Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle as well as Sydney – the departure point for her historic voyage around New Zealand.  

Priced from $3329* per person, the New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation will see the Cunard flagship visit Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Islands, sail through the beautiful waters of Milford Sound and make her maiden call to Christchurch.

Announcing the NZ circumnavigation today, Cunard Line President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said the voyage followed strong bookings for Queen Mary 2’s Royal Circumnavigation of Australia in February 2012.

“It’s clear to us from the response we’ve received for our Australian circumnavigation that Australians and New Zealanders are very keen to cruise on the legendary Queen Mary 2 in their own waters,” Mr Shanks said.

“After cruising around Australia in 2012, we thought we would try something a little different and sail around the beautiful North and South Islands of New Zealand.  New Zealand is renowned for its stunning scenery and interesting ports and we think Australians will love the chance to enjoy it all from the comfort of Queen Mary 2.”

With Australian interest for the Queen Mary 2 New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation expected to be significant, POLAR will be open for limited bookings from 8am on Wednesday July 13, one day prior to the global launch.  Two options will be available: a 12-night roundtrip voyage from Sydney departing March 7, 2013 or a 19-night New Zealand voyage from Sydney to Fremantle departing the same day.

Meanwhile Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria’s 2013 World Voyages will go on sale at 10pm on Thursday July 14, with pre-registrations available from 5pm, Monday July 4.  All guests who book before December 31, 2011 will be offered discounts and onboard credits, while past guests will enjoy extra savings.

Queen Mary 2’s full world voyage will see her visit four continents in 106 nights with visits to the Mediterranean, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, as well as overnight stays in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Cape Town. Fares for a 15-night cruise from Fremantle to Cape Town start from $3869*.

Her younger sister Queen Victoria will head west in a 105-night world voyage which will visit North and South Americas, the South Pacific, Asia and the Mediterranean with overnight stays in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Dubai.  Fares for a 20-night cruise from San Francisco to Sydney start from $5139*.

Fares are per person twin share and are subject to availability. Conditions apply.

Guests on Queen Elizabeth’s Exotic Discoveries voyage, which is already on sale, will spend 91 nights travelling from the UK to New Zealand via America and the South Pacific.  

For more details and bookings see a travel agent, or contact …

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

Australia’s Longest Registered Cruise Agency

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

Or visit www.cunardline.com.au

 

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Seabourn Quest’s 2013 World Cruise

 

The new and luxurious MV Seabourn Quest

September 2011: Seabourn has announced that the luxurious MV Seabourn Quest will embark on a 116-day World Cruise in 2013 and she will visit an array of exotic destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, Asia, India, the Middle East and around the Mediterranean. She will commence her epic voyage from Fort Lauderdale in Florida on January 6, 2013, and traverse the globe westbound, arriving in Venice, Italy on May 3, 2013.

“Seabourn Quest’s 2013 World Cruise is an extraordinary journey, offering guests a unique opportunity to become well-travelled in a single voyage,” Seabourn senior vice president of marketing & sales John Delaney said. “This voyage will bring together adventurous travellers, inviting them to gather a lifetime of memories and shared experiences they will cherish forever.”

Seabourn Quest’s 2013 World Cruise will visit some 51 ports in 27 countries on six continents, featuring a combination of visits to world famous marquee ports and hidden gems, as well as overnight stays in some of the world’s greatest cities. The itinerary also includes a number of destinations that are either maiden calls or ports that the line has not visited in years, such as Lautoka Fiji, Isle of Pines and Nouméa in New Caledonia, as well as Townsville and Thursday Island in North Queensland.

Fares for the full 116-day voyage include a value-packed menu of complimentary benefits and amenities, including: a pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyage event and luxury overnight stay in Fort Lauderdale, special shore side events and exclusive complimentary shore excursions, Personal Valet luggage shipping service of up to 150 pounds, shipboard credits of US$2,500 per guest, onboard gala celebrations and a variety of special gifts.

Rates for the full 116-day world cruise begin at US$49,070 per person, based on double occupancy. For guests who cannot sail on the entire 116-day voyage, shorter segments ranging from 21 to 90 days are also available, with rates starting at US$10,080 per person, based on double occupancy, that also includes certain complimentary amenities.

The 2012 World Voyage.

In addition to the 2013 World Cruise, the Seabourn Quest will also set sail on its 109-day Maiden World Cruise, departing January 5, 2012, from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice on a unique eastbound course via South America, South Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Rates for the full 2012 World Cruise, which also include complimentary World Cruise amenities, start at US$42,040  per person, based on double occupancy. Shorter segments are also available.

Introduced on June 20, 2011, Seabourn Quest is the third iteration of the sleek and widely admired design that first appeared as Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, and has been hailed as "a game-changer for the luxury segment."

Seabourn Quest’s 225 luxurious and spacious suites, 90 per cent of which offer private verandas, feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalised stationery, and generously sized granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks. Suites are outfitted with walk-in closets, an interactive flat-screen TV with a wide selection of music and movies, and iPod and MP3 connections. Personal bars and refrigerators are stocked according to guest preferences.

For foodies everywhere, Seabourn Quest offers gourmet dining experiences in four dining venues that rival the finest restaurants anywhere, all at no extra charge.  All dining venues, as well as six bars and lounges, serve a full range of beverages, including Champagne, fine wines and spirits, with Seabourn’s compliments.  Like its sister ships, Seabourn Quest also houses an 11,400-square foot Spa at Seabourn, the largest spa on any luxury vessel, providing the ultimate pampering experience at sea.  

Seabourn Quest offers a host of other amenities and features, including two swimming pools, six whirlpools, and a unique marina with a variety of water sport activities.  One of the most popular spots is Seabourn Square, an innovative concierge lounge with a “club room” ambiance, making guests feel at home during their cruises.

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

Australia’s Longest Registered Cruise Agency

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Brisbane & International – Phone:

 

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

Or visit www.seabourn.com

 

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The Most Celebrated Cruise Line in the World”

MV Seabourn Quest’s Dazzling Debut

Award-winning Actress Blythe Danner Names the Newest Luxury Ship in Barcelona

MV Seabourn Quest having just been named on June 20, 2011

Photograph © The Yachts of Seabourn

Seabourn has introduced the new 450-guest Seabourn Quest to the world during a glittering naming ceremony presided over by Blythe Danner in Barcelona last night (June 20).

The award-winning actress served as godmother to the new luxury vessel, Seabourn’s third new ship and the sixth to join its fleet, completing a three-year expansion for the line.   

Guests booked on Seabourn Quest’s maiden voyage had the unique opportunity to participate in the festivities.  A full orchestra was arrayed on either side of the swimming pool, and a projection screen set above the deck allowed guests to view the moment when a bottle of champagne smashed against the bow of the ship.  

Adjacent to the screen, a contingent of crew members who had served in the start-up teams of all three new ship launches, instantaneously broke confetti-filled champagne bottles as the bottle crashed. The memorable evening was capped off by a dazzling fireworks display.

Seabourn President, Richard Meadows said Seabourn Quest was the embodiment of Seabourn-style cruising.

“She is sleek and stunning, with spacious decks and public rooms, luxurious suites, a variety of award-winning dining experiences, and an amazing crew offering highly personalised service. We can assure guests the very finest travel experiences when they cruise with us on this beautiful ship,” Mr Meadows said.  

Seabourn Quest boasts 225 luxurious and spacious suites, 90 per cent of which offer private verandas. Like its sister ships, Seabourn Quest houses an 11,400-square foot Spa at Seabourn, the largest spa on any luxury vessel, providing the ultimate pampering experience at sea.  

Seabourn Quest also offers four dining venues, six bars and lounges and a host of other amenities and features, including two swimming pools, six whirlpools and a unique marina with a variety of watersport activities.  

Following the naming ceremony, Seabourn Quest departed on a 14-day maiden voyage to Athens, stopping at beautiful seaside towns and ports in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

For details of Seabourn Yachts program, see a travel agent, or contact …

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

Australia’s Longest Registered Cruise Agency

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

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Azura to Visit Australia in 2013

P&O Cruises Unveils Biggest Ever World Cruise Program

P&O England’s 115,000 ton new MV Azura

Image provided & © 2011 by Carnival Corporation & Plc (P&O Cruises UK)

Australia will welcome the largest P&O Cruises World Cruising ship to visit its shores in 2013, when the 3100-passenger Azura sails Down Under as part of the biggest world cruise program ever launched. At 115,000-tonnes, the 290-metre long Azura will be one of the largest ships ever to visit Australia and is too tall to fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Launched in the UK last year by the Australian-based prima ballerina Darcey Bussell, Azura is the headline act in the 2013 program which also features epic cruises onboard Arcadia, Aurora and Adonia. Azura will be the youngest member of P&O Cruises’ seven-ship fleet to visit Australia.

Announcing details of the 2013 world program today, P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said the cruise line would enjoy a ‘triple A’ summer in Australia with three of the four world cruise ships - Azura, Aurora and Arcadia – collectively making 11 calls to Australian ports during February and March 2013.

Ms Marlow said the 2013 program would be the largest yet for any cruise line, with the four ships visiting 94 destinations in 52 different countries and covering more than 130,000 nautical miles.  The program represents a 23 per cent increase in world cruise capacity compared to 2012 and comes as the cruise line celebrates 175 years’ heritage of cruising.

In addition to the four full world cruises, 18 line voyages between the UK and Australia or New Zealand are also available on Aurora, Arcadia and Azura.

Fares on the world voyages start from:

·                     $1949* for 13 nights cruising on Azura from Singapore to Melbourne, departing February 10, 2013. The sector is part of Azura’s 110-night Grand Odyssey which sails from Southampton on January 7, 2013 and visits the Middle East, India, Australia and South Africa

·                     $3519* for 22 nights cruising on Aurora from San Francisco to Sydney, departing January 30, 2013. The cruise comes during Aurora’s 106-night World Circumnavigation departing the UK on January 7, 2013 and visiting the US, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Egypt and India  

·                     $4199* for 24 nights cruising from Sydney to San Francisco on Arcadia, departing February 28, 2013. The sector is part of Arcadia’s 99-night South America and Pacific Adventure departing Southampton on January 5, 2013 and visiting South America, Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia while sailing by Cape Horn, Easter Island and transiting the Panama Canal.

·                     $3819* for a 20-night cruise on Adonia from Rio de Janiero to Valparaiso, departing March 1, 2013.  The cruise is part of the ship’s 85-night night exploration of South America visiting 17 countries with calls to exotics ports such as Salvador, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima as well as the Caribbean.

*Fares are cruise only, per person in a complete twin cabin and include all main meals and entertainment onboard. Subject to availability, conditions apply.

Ms Marlow said the 2013 program offered great value with early booking discounts of 10 per cent and onboard spending money of up to £2200 per couple available for those who book by December 31, 2011.

Full world voyages and line voyages will go on sale on at 5pm on Thursday July 14 while sector voyages will go on sale from 5pm on Friday July 15.

Ms Marlow said Azura would call at Fremantle (February 17, 2013), Adelaide (February 21) and Melbourne (February 23) on her maiden world voyage with an overnight stay in Sydney (February 25-26) before sailing to Brisbane (February 28) and Cairns (March 3). “Azura’s maiden world cruise visits many ports of call for the first time – including those in Australia – the home of her Godmother Darcey Bussell,” Ms Marlow said. “Her maiden call into Sydney will be celebrated in true P&O Cruises’ style when we hope to reunite Darcey with her ship for the first time since performing her Godmother duties in April 2010.” Ms Marlow said Azura’s maiden world voyage was a classic itinerary featuring some of the most exciting and cultural destinations around the world. “The ship itself takes inspiration from around the globe, with an Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, Italian inspired casual restaurants Verona and Venezia, and wines from all over the world selected and served by the glass in The Glass House wine bar. “These features combined with her variety of bars, restaurants, dance floors, spa, gym, shops, theatre and library make Azura the perfect ship for travelling the world and many of our passengers will be excited to hear that she will be offering her maiden world cruise so soon after entering service.”

For details of P&O Cruises World Cruising 2013 World Cruises program, see a travel agent, or contact …

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

Australia’s Longest Registered Cruise Agency

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

Or Visit … www.pocruises.com (UK)

 

*************************************

P&O Cruises World Cruising Announces …

A new 141,000 ton Cruise Ship

The Largest ever Cruise Ship to be built for Britain will be a “Modern Classic”

Well, so says Mickey Arison who is the chairman & CEO of the all American Carnival Corparation Plc who owns P&O

 

This is an artist impression of the new big box of balconies, but it does have two funnels (who are they kidding?)

Her identical twin is the Princess’ Royal Princess, which commences cruising in 2013

Image provided & © 2011 by Carnival Corporation & Plc (P&O Cruises UK)

P&O Cruises (UK) World Cruising has announced that they will expand their fleet with a new 141,000-ton cruise ship, built by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and she is scheduled to commence duties in March 2015. Although she is yet unnamed, Carnival Corporation & plc, who obviously has developed this design which is almost identical to the Royal Princess, with a small number of very minor differences, will accommodate a massive number of 3,611-passengers, and she will be the largest UK based ship in P&O Cruises fleet, as well as being the largest cruise ship built ever for the British market. The question is, “Is this a step forward or back?”

She is to be built at the all-in cost of approximately €155,000 (Euros) “per lower berth.” And as P&O states she will usher in an exciting era for the company (who P&O or Carnival?) and that the ship will offer a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand’s classic and iconic features. Specifications and new product innovations will be announced at a later date.

Frankly, the author is not all that excited, for slowly the great British P&O Line seems to be dying! Sorry folks, but I say it as it is!.

Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s Chairman and CEO stated … “P&O Cruises is Britain’s number one cruise operator, and is synonymous with high quality holidays that celebrate its rich British heritage. The UK continues to be a key growth market and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship, targeted specifically to British clientele, underscore our commitment to leading the expansion of this important cruise region. With a progression of highly successful new ships introduced over the last 15 years, P&O Cruises is uniquely experienced in designing vessels to meet the specific needs and aspirations of British passengers. This newly ordered ship will underline P&O Cruises’ position as Britain’s favourite cruise line.”

·                     Author’s Note: To be honest Mr Arison’s statement contains a whole lot of “clever sales speak,” as Carnival is simply adding this very same class of ships to other Carnival owned cruise lines, and remember, P&O is no longer English, it is American owned, but it is managed in the UK, and that is about all! Remember that Princess Cruises will receive this very same class of ship two years before P&O will obtain theirs and although there will be very slight design differences, just as there was with the Vista class ships, such as the Arcadia and Queen Victoria, which were idedntical, but with some small company differences. Then there were those of Holland America Line and Costa Cruises, all these Carnival owned companies were forced into operating Vista class ships, and frankly they were not the best class of ships either and certainly not the mosyt seaworthy as many already know! Now this new class is being added and all because Carnival demand bigger numbers of “bums in beds” making big “dollars and cents,” well, when it comes to the UK, pounds sterling! The heading says that she will be
a “Modern Classic”, what just because she will have two funnels on her? The truth is the forward one will be a dummy and it is there just for show, nothing classic about her, where is the full walk around promenmade deck we have come to love so much?

And here is the artist impression of the almost identyical Royal Princess, but the P&O ship will npot hace the semi circle over the water deck topside

Image provided & © 2011 by Carnival Corporation & Plc (Princess Cruises Australia

P&O Cruises (UK) Managing Director Carol Marlow said, “This next-generation ship will deliver the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, with ‘sophisticated wows’ and new features to attract thousands of newcomers to our brand, and equally to resonate with existing P&O Cruises passengers by giving them the ‘P&O-ness’ they recognise and love. She will offer ‘the best of the best,’ combining the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts which together will deliver to our passengers the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us.”

Visit our many features on the following P&O & Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

P&O Cruises UK: Aurora / Oriana / Artemis

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Sun  / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Jewel / Pacific Pearl

Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts

 

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess / MV Royal Princess

--CRUISE INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS--

Contact Australia’s longest Registered Cruise Agency

 

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

 

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie Lisignoli: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Or Phone Toll Free at:

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

Brisbane & International – Phone:

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

For other recommended cruise specialists around Australia & New Zealand … or for International readers

There is a list of recommended relevant Cruise’n’Travel Agents locally and around the globe!

ENTER HERE

 

Or Visit … www.pocruises.com (UK)