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

News Updates

Australian, New Zealand & Asian Edition

Provided bywww.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and it is NOT associated with any cruise company or travel agency! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future. Please read my statement at the bottom of the page!

On This Page

Cunard Line: MV Queen Elizabeth to be named by HRH Queen Elizabeth on October 11

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Pearl Contract for her drydocking signed in Sydney

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Pearl to receive P&O’s very first outdoor LED Movie “Big Screen”

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

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

P&O Cruises UK: 2011/12 P&O UK program released with new schedules, great value and offers and ships!

Cunard Line: MV Queen Elizabeth Art Deco panel unveiled

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Dawn - The NEW “Salt Grill by Luke Mangan” restaurant opens on May 29

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Dawn chartered for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

P&O Cruises UK MV Azura named by Australian based Ballerina on 10 April

P&O Cruises Australia: 2011/12 P&O schedules just released show additional “short break” and special “theme” cruises

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

Princess Cruises: Sea Princess to join Sun & Dawn Princess during the 2011 - 2012 summer cruise season

Cunard Line: MV Queen Mary connects with Jessica Watson our lone around the world sailor

Cunard Line: MV Queen Mary 2 to operate a “Royal Circumnavigation of Australia” in 2012

Seabourn Yachts: Seabourn Pride New Asian program announced for 2011

P&O Cruises Australia: Kathy Freeman welcomes Pacific Dawn to her new home in Brisbane

P&O Cruises Australia: Raises the Bar with its 2010 & 2011 cruise season!

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

Cunard Line: New MV Queen Elizabeth to make a “Royal Rendezvous” in Sydney in 2011

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

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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! Reuben Goossens.

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Her Majesty the Queen to Name the MV Queen Elizabeth

The sister ship to the Queen Victoria, the MV Queen Elizabeth

September 1, 2010: Cunard Line has officially announced that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new MV Queen Elizabeth, the sister to MV Queen Victoria, and she will be the third Cunard ship to bear that famous name. She will be named at a ceremony that will take place in Southampton on Monday October 11, 2010. The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history and it is said that the naming will be a major event of worldwide interest.

Cunard President and Managing Director Mr. Peter Shanks, stated: “The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word. The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967, and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner (sorry Peter, she is a cruise ship NOT a liner) MV Queen Elizabeth.”

The Yacht Club on the luxurious new MV Queen Elizabeth

Her Majesty was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth (now that was a Trans-Atlantic liner) on September 27, 1938, when she accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth, to Clydebank for the launch. The Naming Ceremony will take place in Southampton on Monday October 11 and the ship will set sail on her maiden voyage the 12th.

MV Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden visit to Australia in February 2011, during her inaugural world voyage. She will call at Sydney on February 22-23 where she will stage a Royal Rendezvous with MV Queen Mary 2, followed by visits to Melbourne on February 25 and Fremantle on March 1.

Visit my Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 & Queen Victoria features

For further Information and Reservations

Contact Australia’s longest Registered Cruise Agency

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

The Cruise Specialists won the Cruise-Australia - “2009 Cruise Agent of the Year” Award!

“The Cruise Specialists” is Australia’s very first fully dedicated Cruise Specialist and they have been serving the Australian cruise passengers for 27 years. The agencies Director Corie Lisignoli looks forward to hearing from you and providing you with the kind of cruise service and experience you deserve! You will not only receive quality service, but also the latest and the best information and fares available.

Are you a lover of Classical Music and or Drama and Theatre? Then enquire about the annual or bi-annual Classical Concert Cruise or the Drama & Theatre cruises sailing with Princess Cruises Dawn Princess or Sun princess.

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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Contract Signed for Pacific Pearl Drydock & Refit in Singapore

This is the new Gem of a ship to sail the Pacific for P&O Australia in 2010

P&O Cruises Australia’s expansion has taken a further step with the official signing of the contract for the multi-million dollar refurbishment of their latest cruise ship the Pacific Pearl in Singapore.

Ms Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, that operates P&O Cruises, joined the senior representatives from the “Sembawang Shipyards” in Sydney last week for the signing. Work will commence on November 13. Sembawang Shipyard is a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.

This will be a major refurbishment, and it will include a new innovation to the P&O Australian fleet, being the 7 x 4 meter LED “Big Screen” just aft on the ships pool deck. There will also be the creation of the already popular “Salt Grill” by Luke Mangan on the Pacific Pearl, as well as new bars and lounges. There will be a brand new Aqua HealthSpaFitness Centre on board as well.

Following her three-week drydock, the Pacific Pearl will sail for Auckland where she will be officially named on December 21, 2010 and commence her cruise season there. Then Pacific Pearl will make her maiden visit to Sydney on February 3, 2011 and she will commence her maiden Australian cruise season.

The Ships History: This elegant looking ship was built in France for the famed Italian cruise company - Sitmar Cruises and she was originally to be named MV Fairmajesty. However, prior to her completion, Princess Cruises acquired Sitmar Cruises and she was completed and officially named Star Princess in a ceremony by Audrey Hepburn.

An artist impression of the Fairmajesty with the intended new Sitmar Cruises livery

After a successful cruise career in the USA, Carnival Plc transferred her to P&O UK in 1997, and she was renamed Arcadia, in memory of another much loved P&O liner that had ended her long and esteemed career in 1979. The Arcadia was given a multi-million-dollar refit prior entering service in her new role, taking British passengers to the Caribbean, Europe, and undertaking the annual P&O Around the World Voyage.

P&O UK’s MV Arcadia seen in Sydney’s Darling Harbour No 10 - 24 February 1998, the author having just disembarked

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

The author sailed on Arcadia’s maiden world cruise in 1998. However, in May 2003, P&O Princess Cruises transferred the Arcadia to a new Carnival Plc brand name, “OceanVillage Cruises” and after a refit she was renamed MV OceanVillage and she has served under that name (until November 2010), but it was decided by Carnival to end the brand, and being such an excellent ship to transfer her to P&O Cruises Australia.

She is seen here as the OceanVillage with her colourful livery

Photographer unknown – * Please see photo notes ay bottom of page

Enter my updated Pacific Pearl feature

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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MV Pacific Pearl’s to feature an outdoor LED Big Screen

August 10: P&O Cruises new Gem of a ship and will arrive New Zealand in December and commence cruising first from Auckland. Those lucky KIWIS! This ship is sheer magic and she has a host of fine new features, including the newly installed 7 x 4m state-of-the-art LED “Big Screen” located in front of her funnel, which will provide a whole new level of entertainment day and at night!

Pacific-Pearl’s brand new massive outdoor LED movie screen

The Plash Bar, aft of the forward pool on Leisure (12) Deck – This is the way to go

There is the swim up Splash bar and countless lounges, a grad multi level Showroom and a vast variety of superb dinning options including the famed - “Salt Grill by Luke Mangan”, which has become an absolute must! Visit my updated page on her with new images and enjoy and above all, she is very popular, so start booking!

Enter my updated Pacific Pearl feature

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

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P&O Cruises has the World Covered with its 2012 World Voyages

A fine British ship the P&O MV Arcadia seen in Sydney in 2009

Australian travellers seeking to see the world from in classic British style will be spoiled for choice in 2012, with P&O Cruises World Voyages offering four globetrotting journeys in early 2012.

On sale from July 17, the journeys will see four ships – Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and Adonia – visiting 162 ports of call in more than 50 countries, with sailings ranging in length from three to 109 nights.

With a range of sectors available, prices start from $559* per person twin share for a three-night cruise onboard the 76,000-tonne Aurora as she sails from Bangkok on March 6, 2012 to Singapore via Koh Samui.

Both Aurora and Oriana will sail full world circumnavigations, in opposite directions, while Arcadia will offer a 109-night world cruise and Adonia will set sail on her first grand voyage for P&O Cruises to South America.

The stylish Aurora will depart on January 4, 2012 for a 98-night circumnavigation via the Caribbean, United States and South Pacific returning via Dubai and the Suez Canal. Fares for the full 98-night voyage start from $15,549* per person.

The family-friendly Oriana will head east on her own circumnavigation one day later, sailing via the Mediterranean, Asia and Australasia before returning via the Panama Canal and Caribbean. Fares for the full 97-night world cruise are priced from $15,619* per person.

Meanwhile, the 83,000-tonne Arcadia will sail a 109-night world cruise via the Suez Canal and Asia, before calling at six ports in Australia and returning via South Africa. The child-free superliner will visit Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney (overnight), Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with fares for the full cruise starting from $17,519* per person.

P&O Cruises’ latest ship, the boutique 710-passenger Adonia will be the last to set sail, departing January 13, 2012 on her first grand voyage circumnavigating South America. Highlights of the 87-night voyage include sailing the Amazon, overnight calls in Buenos Aires and New Orleans, Cape Horn and the Panama Canal. Fares start from $15,319* per person for the full cruise.

Early booking discounts of up to 35 per cent apply to all cruises booked before December 31, 2010, with bonus onboard credit of up to £375 per person also on offer.

Other line voyages and sectors available include:

· A 15-night cruise onboard Oriana from Hong Kong to Brisbane visiting Brunei, Bali, Darwin and the Whitsundays departing February 6, 2012. Fares start from $2659* per person.

· An 18-night cruise onboard Aurora from Sydney to Bangkok calling at Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Bali, Vietnam’s Nha Trang and Phu My and Sihanoukville in Cambodia, departing February 17, 2012. Fares start from $3249* per person.

· A 12-night cruise from Melbourne to Singapore onboard Arcadia visiting Adelaide, Perth and Bali, departing March 11, 2012. Fares start from $2219* per person.

For further Information and Reservations

Contact Australia’s longest Registered Cruise Agency

The Cruise Specialists - Established in 1982

The Cruise Specialists won the Cruise-Australia - “2009 Cruise Agent of the Year” Award!

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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Cunard Line Announces their 2012 World Voyages

On MV Queen Elizabeth and MV Queen Mary 2

The 150,400-ton, 2,600 passenger MV Queen Mary 2

July 12: Cunard Line has announced details of its 2012 world voyages on their new cruise ship the MV Queen Elizabeth, which is an almost identical sister to the Queen Victoria, although with a different décor, and the companies flagship MV Queen Mary 2, marking a 90-year legacy of annual circumnavigations.

These grand voyages will feature a 107-day journey around the globe on the 90-400-ton Queen Elizabeth as well as a 108-day voyage on the 151-400-ton Queen Mary 2, which will include the liner’s first ever full circumnavigation cruise of Australia.

Between these two liners they will visit some 60 ports across 33 countries, and will including a host of maiden visits such as Queen Mary 2’s first call to the spectacular sand dunes of Namibia’s Swakopmund.

In Australia, the ports of Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Melbourne will welcome the spectacular 2620-passenger Queen Mary 2 for the first time, while her youngest sister, the 2092-passenger Queen Elizabeth will make her inaugural calls to Brisbane and Port Douglas.

Early booking savers are available on the full around the world voyages with fares starting from as low as $28,509* per person twin share for Queen Mary 2’s sailing which departs Southampton on January 10, 2012.

However; Cunard Line is offering many one way “line voyages” and sectors on both liners with the following being an example:

19 nights sailing on Queen Mary 2 from Sydney to Hong Kong via Papua New Guinea, Japan and China, priced from $4659* per person twin share

24 nights sailing from Sydney to Singapore on Queen Elizabeth visiting Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Thailand with fares starting from $6119* per person.

17 nights from Cape Town to Adelaide on Queen Mary 2 with calls to Durban, Port Louis and Fremantle, start from $4089* per person complete twin.

56 nights from Brisbane to Southampton on Queen Elizabeth, visiting ports throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Fares start from $13,189* per person.

Onboard credits are available of up to US$1500 per person to guests booking line or full voyages.

Being launched in October this year, the MV Queen Elizabeth’s complete circumnavigation will see her sail from the UK to New York, Fort Lauderdale and through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and Mexico before visiting San Francisco and sailing south to New Zealand and Australia. The ship will then head north to Asia and through the Suez Canal to visit the Mediterranean before returning to Southampton.

Above: The Queens Room - A magnificent Grand Ballroom with artworks and murals that reflect Cunard’s cherished royal links. It is the setting for grand nights and themed balls and white-gloved afternoon tea. Image provided by Carnival Australia & Cunard Line - © 2010

The Queen Mary 2 will depart Southampton for Madeira and the Canary Islands, then visiting Nambia and South Africa on her way to Australia where she will complete a historic circumnavigation of our continent from Sydney. After sailing north to Asia she will visit ports throughout the Middle East and Europe before returning to the UK.

A note from Cruise-Australia’s author: The Circumnavigation voyage of Australia is said to be almost fully booked, however, I suggest that if you are still interested to contact your travel agent and register. However, with the massive popularity of the “Around the World Voyages” I highly suggest that you book as early as possible to obtain the best possible cabin as the British are booking in droves and both ships will fill fast!

* Subject to conditions.

Visit my Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary 2 feature

Visit our P&O Cruises UK pages: MV Aurora / Oriana & Artemis

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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See More of Europe with P&O Cruises (UK) World Voyages

P&O UK’s MV Aurora seen departing Portoferrairo, Elba Island – Italy

June 29, 2010: P&O Cruises (UK) World Voyages has launched its largest European and Caribbean cruise program ever! On offer the ever popular seven-day Mediterranean cruises starting from just $1059* per person twin share.

The 2011-2012 program features seven P&O UK Cruise ships sailing some 156 cruises to 270 different destinations, including nine brand new ports of call ranging from the Bulgarian City of Bourgas to Norway’s picturesque Town of Flekkefjord and the delightful and historic Zadar in Croatia.

Cruises on offer range in duration from 2 to 36 nights and are priced from just $369* per person for a two-night cruise onboard MV Oriana departing Southampton on June 3, 2011 that visits Bruges. A highlight of the new program will be the maiden season of the child-free MV Adonia that will include voyages to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, Northern Europe as well as cruises around Britain.

Joining the P&O World Voyages fleet in May 2011 and carrying just 710 passengers will be the delightfully smaller sized ship the luxuriously appointed MV Adonia, and this will allow her to take guests to visit off-the-beaten-track destinations, with cruises priced from $1639* per person for a 10-day voyage from Southampton to Italy’s Savona, via Portugal, Spain, France and Monaco. MV Adonia will also sail a series of fly-cruise voyages in the Mediterranean from November 2011 to January 2012. Fourteen nights of sailing from Trieste to Athens and calling at ports in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey and Greece is priced from $2679* per person, departing on December 6, 2011.

In addition a seven-day roundtrip cruise onboard the 116,000-tonne MV Ventura from Southampton to France and Spain calling at La Coruna, Bilbao, La Rochelle and Brest is priced from $1059* per person twin share.

The family-friendly MV Oceana will offer a range of cruises to the Mediterranean as well as the Caribbean, including a 12-night roundtrip cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands priced from just $1699* per person.

At the same time MV Aurora will offer a 36-night roundtrip cruise to the Caribbean from Southampton departing November 14, 2011, priced from $5569* per person.

Onboard credit bonuses of up to £125 per person are available to all bookings made by December 31, 2010, while P&O Cruises is also offering a free upgrade to all its past passengers who book a cruise from the new program before the end of the year.

Visit our P&O Cruises UK pages: MV Aurora / Oriana & Artemis

For Information and Reservations

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Or Phone Toll Free

--1800 427 847--

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies around Australia & NZ or for International readers

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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Cunard unveils a breathtaking Art Deco

Feature for the new MV Queen Elizabeth

Mr. Peter Shanks and Viscount Linley unveil part of the panel in London

May 24, 2010: Last week Cunard Line unveiled a superb signature panel masterpiece designed and made for its newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth that will commence sailing in October 2010.

Designed to take centre stage above the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck in Queen Elizabeth’s soaring main lobby, the striking 5.6 metre-high parquetry panel depicts the original SS Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

Cunard Line commissioned the company of renowned craftsman as well as Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew, David Linley to design and make the centrepiece that will greet embarking passengers at the very heart of the ship.

“We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, but a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’, but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials,” Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said. “Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn’t take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned,” Mr Shanks said.

The magnificent artwork depicts the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, using parquetry inlay of nine different types of wood veneers. Spanning more than two decks, the panel is made up of nine panels seamlessly jointed to lightweight board and features Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut , ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony woods.

Art Deco at its best featuring the RNS Queen Elizabeth, which was a real liner!

Unveiled in London yesterday, the completed panel will be installed on Queen Elizabeth over four days at the Italian Fincantieri shipyard just prior to her entering service in October.

Linley’s Chairman David Linley, who founded the company in 1985 and is the son of the late Princess Margaret and well-known photographer Lord Snowdon, said it was the largest screen the company had ever made.

“I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him, and others, equally proud,” Viscount Linley said.

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as part of the youngest fleet in the world. The magnificent liner will feature elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilised era of travel.

Queen Elizabeth’s 13-night maiden voyage to Spain and Portugal will begin from Southampton on October 12, 2010, calling at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Funchal.

On February 22, 2011, the Queen Elizabeth will be in Sydney Australia whilst on her maiden Around the World Cruise. However on that very same day she will meet the Queen Mary 2 in Sydney, thus both ships will be in port at the same time and this will be a great occasion.

The Cunard 2011 World Cruise brochure is available now and bookings are very popular, thus they need to be made as soon as possible! Phone poll free 1800 427 847.

Visit my Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 & Queen Victoria features

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 contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

Australia’s #1 and first registered Australian all Cruise Agency – Established in 1982

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Australia wide – Phone poll free 1800 427 847

International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies or for International visitors

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

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P&O Cruises Adds More Salt …

New Restaurant Venture with Luke Mangan on …

Pacific Dawn

Luke Mangan on Pacific Dawn

P&O Cruises and renowned Australian chef Luke Mangan have announced plans for their next joint venture the opening of the new “Salt Grill by Luke Mangan” restaurant onboard the cruise line’s Brisbane-based - MV Pacific Dawn.

One of the features will be that she will have an open kitchen and a strikingly stylish decor, thus the new restaurant will be a fine new addition whilst the ship in undergoing an extensive refit in Brisbane later in May. The new restaurant will debut on the ship’s May 29 departure.

The decision to create the restaurant on one of P&O Cruises’ existing ships reflects the enormous popularity of the very first “Salt Grill by Luke Mangan” restaurant, which debuted on the Pacific Jewel last December. Now a third “Salt Grill by Luke Mangan” will operate on P&O Cruises’ next cruise ship, the Pacific Pearl, which will be commence cruising from Auckland in December this year. Announcing the new Luke Mangan restaurant, Sture Myrmell the Vice President of Hotel Operations of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Jewel’s Salt Grill had been a huge hit. “The restaurant consistently books out for the entire cruise so we turn tables twice for dinner and are also open for lunch on sea days to accommodate passengers who can’t get in for dinner. It’s a phenomenal response,” Mr Myrmell said.

He said the latest Salt Grill would feature a rich silver and blue colour scheme complemented by sandstone and dark wood. The menu will be similar to Pacific Jewel’s, which features Luke Mangan favourites such as crab omelet with miso mustard broth and liquorice parfait with lime syrup. Meanwhile carefully selected wines will be displayed in temperature-controlled units in the restaurant.

“We’re particularly pleased to be able to incorporate an open kitchen in the design of Pacific Dawn’s Salt Grill, so that our passengers can enjoy all the culinary action as well as great cuisine,” Mr Myrmell said. Commenting on the new restaurant, Luke Mangan said his association with P&O Cruises had gone from strength to strength. “I’m thrilled to be opening Salt Grill on the Pacific Dawn,” Luke said. “The quality of the restaurant and the produce is what keeps our standards so high. My goal is to have many Salt Grills on P&O Cruises’ fleet, as I believe it is a perfect fit.”

Pacific Dawn’s refit will also see a makeover of its main restaurant, The Palm Court, with new furnishings, carpets, curtains, paint and artwork providing a more contemporary feel.

Other new features will include the addition of a child-free Oasis retreat aft on Deck 10 and a complete refurbishment of the ship’s spa.

Visit my Pacific Dawn feature

Visit my P&O Cruises pages on - Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Sun / Pacific Pearl

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

Australia’s #1 and first registered Australian all Cruise Agency – Established in 1982

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Australia wide – Phone poll free 1800 427 847

International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies or for International visitors

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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P&O Cruises MV Pacific Dawn has been Chartered

To take Rugby Fans to the 2011 Rugby World Cup

May 3, 2010: P&O Cruises’ 70,000-tonne popular cruise ship MV Pacific Dawn will take some 2000 rugby devotees to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand under a special charter announced today.

The sport division of TUI Travel PLC, being the world’s biggest leisure group, and Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, have combined to offer one of the most exciting and memorable Rugby World Cup cruise experiences. This will mean that the Pacific Dawn will be in Auckland on Sunday, October 23 in order that the devotees of ‘the game they play in heaven’ can enjoy the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final.

“Pacific Dawn will be far more than a floating hotel for the 2011 Rugby World Cup,” said Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry. “She will be home for 2000 passengers whose passion for rugby will be satisfied both onboard and onshore during the course of the cruise. This is the first time we have chartered a ship for a Rugby World Cup but it is not our first experience in looking after rugby supporters. In 2005, we chartered Pacific Sun for the British Lions’ Rugby tour of New Zealand,” Ms Sherry said.

Rugby supporters from Europe, South Africa and Australia will experience a rugby-themed cruise of New Zealand’s scenic attractions, in addition to all the drama and excitement of Rugby World Cup and key knock-out matches in Christchurch and Auckland plus a visit to Wellington. A line up of former rugby internationals will add to the onboard experience.

“We are delighted to be able offer this unique cruise to solve the accommodation issues we face in the latter stages in New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011,” said Managing Director of TUI Travel Sport businesses Darren Mee. “By taking on this commitment we can ensure that fans are able to experience the latter part of the Rugby World Cup in an atmospheric and unique environment and experience the warm hospitality of New Zealand and its distinctive culture. We look forward to a very successful Rugby World Cup 2011 and growing our relationship with P&O Cruises further.”

Pacific Dawn boasts almost 800 cabins, including around 200 rooms with private balconies. Her other features include a spectacular entertainment area and a vast observation lounge called “The Dome”, as well as an array of restaurants and cafes, nine bars and lounges, two pools, a jogging track, gym and a spa.

Pacific Dawn will arrive in Auckland on October 4, 2011, after repositioning from Brisbane for the four-week charter.

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Australian-based Ballerina Names Britain’s Newest Ship

MV Azura is 110,000-tons of grandeur

P&O Cruises UK latest cruise ship the MV Azura has been launched in grand style and with grace by an Australian-based Prima Ballerina Miss Darcey Bussell who named the ship in Southampton. Now living in Sydney, Miss Bussell’s role as godmother to the Azura resulted in a £10,000 donation from P&O being made on her behalf to one of Australia’s top dance companies, the world famous “Sydney Dance Company.” Miss Bussell also nominated two other charities, “The Prince’s Rainforest Trust” and “Royal Ballet School,” where she trained to receive the same amount.

Prima Ballerina Darcey Bussell ready for the naming with the bottle of champagne

Considered as one of the greatest ballerinas of all time and looking dazzling in a red Jasper Conrad evening dress, Miss Bussell performed for more than 1,200 guests at the naming ceremony on April 10 in the “Girl in the Hunt” scene reminiscent of Cyd Charisse in “Band Wagon.” In addition to the traditional champagne breaking ceremony, MV Azura’s naming celebration featured movie clips from the most memorable dance sequences in history shown on her new open-air “SeaScreen,” along with live dance performances.

Darcey Bussell performs on board the ship

“For me this is a wonderful event because I am able to promote the best of dance within one evening. It’s wonderful that P&O Cruises is carrying on that theme from the old films where dance was so important,” Miss Bussell said.

P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said the cruise line was honoured that Miss Bussell agreed to become Azura’s Godmother. Darcey embodies glamour, vitality and classical elegance, which are also reflected in Azura,” Ms Marlow said. “Azura has one of her three magnificent dance floors right at the heart of the ship, so with dancing a real feature, Darcey was a natural choice for Godmother and very fittingly will give Azura the best possible start in life.”

The 116,000-tonne MV Azura features a number of firsts including the first atrium dance floor at sea, In addition she has 18 single staterooms the very first single staterooms in the P&O Cruises’ fleet! There is also a new feature, an open air on-deck cinema with SeaScreen, as well as a new wine bar concept in The Glass House and secluded on-deck spa area, named “The Retreat.” MV Azura departed on her maiden cruise to the Mediterranean on Monday, April 12.

For Information and Reservations contact:

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Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Australia wide – Phone poll free 1800 427 847

International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

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For other agencies or for International visitors

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ENTER HERE

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More Short Breaks at Sea in P&O Cruises’ New Program

The delightful MV Pacific Pearl will offer a vast variety of cruises as well as the Melbourne Cup in 2011

Due to meet rising consumer demand P&O Cruises has expanded its range of short break and especially themed cruises, including an unprecedented 16 voyages that are less than a week in duration in its latest program just released.

Australia Day Cruise:

One of the highlights will be a special three-night Australia Day cruise in 2012 giving passengers the chance to enjoy the special events and fireworks on Sydney Harbour before heading out to sea.

Two Melbourne Cup Cruises:

The Cruise Line will also operate an additional six-night Melbourne Cup cruise from Sydney, with the Pacific Pearl joining Pacific Jewel on the traditionally sold-out cruise in November 2011.

Tempting Food and Wine Cruises:

P&O Cruises has expanded its popular food and wine themed cruises beyond the Hunter to explore a range of other renowned Australian destinations. Pacific Jewel will bring a taste of South Australia’s legendary Barossa region to Sydney for a three-night short break in July 2011 and Pacific Sun to explore Western Australia’s gourmet food and wine offerings in August 2011. Prices start from $699* per person twin share.

Brisbane’s Pacific Dawn:

Seven-night cruises to the South Pacific on Pacific Dawn start from $1379* per person, visiting New Caledonia’s Noumea, Lifou in the Loyalty Islands and Port Vila in Vanuatu.

Other P&O Program News:

On sale from April 6, the new program offers 50 different itineraries on four ships sailing from five homeports between July 2011 and March 2012. Prices start from $1989 per person twin share for a 10-night cruise to the South Pacific onboard Pacific Jewel from Sydney.

In all, the new program spans 124 sailings across Australasia over nine months, representing a 10 per cent increase in the number of cruise holidays on offer compared to the 2010-11 season. Sydney will benefit from a massive 25 per cent more cruise departures thanks to the city’s own superliner, Pacific Jewel, being joined for a season by Pacific Pearl and Pacific Sun in 2011.

Meanwhile, Pacific Sun will return to Newcastle in February and March 2011 for her third cruise season while Pacific Pearl will spend her second Christmas season sailing from Auckland, from mid-December until the end of January 2012. Pacific Pearl will offer three new 10-night round-trip cruises to New Zealand from Sydney in November 2011 and March 2012, featuring scenic cruising in Fjordland National Park and visiting Dunedin, Christchurch, Picton and Wellington and priced from $2019* per person.

Australian travellers keen on escaping the winter chill in July 2011 will appreciate a 17-night cruise onboard Pacific Sun from Sydney to Fremantle via Queensland and the Top End, priced from $3069* per person.

Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the new program offered Australian travellers the largest ever selection of cruise holidays. “P&O Cruises’ new program offers more Australians the convenience of cruising from their doorstep, as well as giving travellers the chance to book earlier to secure their ideal cruise holiday,” Ms Lourey said.

Visit my P&O Cruises pages on - Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Sun / Pacific Pearl

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

Australia’s #1 and first registered Australian all Cruise Agency – Established in 1982

Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

Australia wide – Phone poll free 1800 427 847

International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

(Please NAME the SHIP you are enquiring about)

For other agencies or for International visitors

There is a listing of recommended Australian, New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

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Norfolk Island creates commemorative P&O Ship Stamps as 2010 makes History

MV Pacific Sun will visit Norfolk Island on March 26

March 27: Norfolk Island has welcomed the return of a P&O ship to its shores on March 26 after 78 years and in commemoration they have launched of a series of commemorative P&O Ships stamps featuring all of the P&O Cruises fleet.

Pacific Sun seen berthed at a special pontoon (starboard side) offshore at Norfolk Island on March 26

The stamps feature the first P&O ship to visit their shores being the RMS Strathaird and P&O’s current ships, including the 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun which made her maiden call to Norfolk Island this week. She berthed at a custom-built floating pontoon that was located on her starboard side and tenders took her 1,900 passenger ashore.

P&O Cruises’ connection with Norfolk Island began in 1932 when the 22,500-tonne RMS Strathaird visited the island on the well known and long established British P&O Lines very first cruise out of Australia. Now some 78 years later P&O Cruises Australia having three of their very own Australian based ships, will have one of these ships finally return and visit delightful Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island has produced its own highly sought after stamps since 1939, and the Norfolk Island Philatelic Bureau regularly issues stamps to celebrate the island’s heritage, tourism, flora and fauna as well as special events. But the cruise ship stamps are a first for both the Island and P&O Cruises Australia.

In addition to Pacific Sun, the five limited edition stamps will feature the Strathaird as well as P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Sun and P&O’s latest addition, to be added to the fleet later this year the Pacific Pearl.

The series of 20,000 stamps will be launched at a ceremony to mark Pacific Sun’s arrival and will be available for sale on the Islandand onboard the ship until sold out.

The British P&O liner, RMS Strathaird undertook P&O’s first ever cruise in 1932

Please Note: See the author’s special report on the first cruise below this news item and a note re the funnel.

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P&O Cruises will have three ships making 10 visits to Norfolk Island from Sydney and Auckland between March 2010 and June 2011, including four visits from P&O Cruises’ newest addition the Pacific Pearl.

Carnival Australia Senior Vice President Ms Jenny Lourey said P&O Cruises was delighted to be revisiting the port, for … “Norfolk Island is such a unique destination, we’re sure its many natural and historical attractions will be a hit with our passengers,” Ms Lourey said.

Norfolk Island Minister for Tourism Industry and Development the Hon Andre Nobbs said … “This commemorative stamp issue will celebrate the return of cruise ships to Norfolk Island after nearly 80 years and is set to become a collector’s classic.”

78 Years of P&O Cruising

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 three 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

And this is the new world of cruising on the Pacific Dawn featuring the spectacular “The Dome” with an 180 degree ocean views!

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

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