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 Ships – New 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
***************************************
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.
***************************************
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
***************************************
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
***************************************
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.
***************************************
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)
***************************************
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
***************************************
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
***************************************
“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!
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HERE
***************************************
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)