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

Cruise News & Updates

Special Australian & New Zealand Edition

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

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! 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 a vast experience and I will praise all that is good, but will also say it, as it is! Reuben Goossens.

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P&O Cruises Voted the “Best Family Cruise Line”

The Swimming Pool on the Pacific Jewel

April 21: P&O Cruises has won the “Best Family Cruise Line” category in the annual Out & About with Kids magazine awards, Although, myself as have othrs in the industry known that P&O has been a leader in looking after and providing better facilities for Australian families onboard their ships over the years!

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the cruise line was thrilled to win the award. “We’ve been providing great family holidays for decades but we never take our popularity for granted,” Ms Sherry said.

“With families making up one-third of our passengers, we are constantly evaluating and evolving our onboard offering and over the past few years we’ve introduced new features such as our Big Screens and Pacific Cirque performers for family entertainment, as well as our NZ Natural Ice Cream parlours. “This award confirms these innovations are really hitting the mark.”

Ms Sherry said new additions to the cruise line’s family offerings in 2013 included “Broad Shorts,” a movie-making program based on the animation technology behind Wallace and Gromit that was launched in the teen-focused HQ and HQ+ kids clubs in February 2013. The program is the first of its kind on an Australian cruise ship and allows kids to make their own stop motion movies from a range of puppets. The cruise line has also installed V8 race car simulators onboard the Pacific Pearl.

These innovations will be complemented by a range of new family activities being rolled out across P&O Cruises’ fleet later this year, in consultation with internationally-renowned early childhood lecturer Rhonda Davidson-Irwin.

All three ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet offer four children’s and teen clubs, these are the: Turtle Cove for the 3 to 6 years , Shark Shack for 7 to 10 years, HQ the 11 to 14 years and HQ+ the 15 to 17 years olds!

For interest, the annual “Out & About with Kids” awards feature 42 categories across a variety of local and international travel products and are they voted for by the magazine’s readers.

For more information visit www.pocruises.com.au.

BUT, then contact a GOOD Cruise Specialist who may be able to offer better fares

As well offer the kind of service that P&O simply cannot provide per phone or per the Net!

Read about the ships of P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Pearl.

Also, visit our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

P&O Cruises UK: Aurora / Oriana / Artemis

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess

Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts

Also; the 5 Star Luxury of the Independent Operated Cruise Line

The World most Awarded Cruise Company

Holland America Line - known as “The Spotless Fleet”

ms Statendam - ms Rotterdam - ms Volendam - ms Zaandam - ms Oosterdam

ms Nieuw Amsterdam & the World Explorer ms Prinsendam

NEW - ms Oosterdam 2013 Cruise’n’Ship Review

ms Volendam Cruise Review - ms Amsterdam Ship Review

Also read our Holland America Line - Cruise News Updates - Page

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P&O Cruises puts Moreton Island

On the Cruise Map

Pacific Jewel seen at anchor at Moreton Island

March 18: P&O Cruises has become the first cruise line to visit Queensland’s beautiful Moreton Island with the arrival of MV Pacific Jewel on Saturday March 16 as part of a four-night SeaBreak from Sydney.

The passengers were greeted by Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey, Carnival Australia’s CEO Ann Sherry and Tangalooma Island Resort Director David James, before heading off to experience the Island’s many attractions including dolphin feeding, canoeing and snorkelling. Passengers were also able to experience the spectacular Champagne Pools and Honeymoon Bay, sand duning, quad bike tours and bird-watching.

The visit by the 1,950-passenger Pacific Jewel was the first of six calls planned for Moreton Island in 2013 which are expected to inject more than $1 million into the local economy. The four-night P&O SeaBreaks featuring a visit to Moreton Island have already proven to be some of the most popular itineraries offered by the cruise line.

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said she was thrilled to be introducing Australians to one of the undiscovered gems on Queensland’s coastline.

“Moreton Island is literally on our doorstep and we’re delighted to be giving close to 12,000 interstate visitors the opportunity to experience its beauty for the first time in 2013,” Ms Sherry said. “The response from our passengers has been overwhelmingly positive and I know they will return home to spread the word about what an exceptional discovery Moreton Island is.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the creation of a new destination at Moreton Island showed it is “full steam ahead” for the cruise industry in Queensland, which is Australia’s second biggest cruise state, after New South Wales. “The addition of Moreton Island to the Queensland cruise map is another win for the state’s economy,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The most recent available figures show that the cruise industry generated an estimated $590 million for the Queensland economy in 2011-12, including $336 million in direct expenditure.

“Cruising has been the fastest growing segment of the Queensland tourism market during the past year, and the Newman Government is happy to support innovative experiences like the P&O Cruises’ visit to Moreton Island.”

Exchanging plaques on Moreton Island – L to R: Qld Tourism Minister Jann Struckey, Pacific Jewel’s Captain John Foster

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry and Tangalooma Island Resort Director David James

Tangalooma Island Resort’s David James said tourism and business operators in the Moreton Bay and Islands group were excited to welcome P&O Cruises’ passengers to the region.

“We are thrilled to showcase Moreton Island’s spectacular natural beauty and leisure experiences to our P&O Cruises guests,” Mr James said. “No doubt, many will be surprised that a treasure like this exists so close to home.”

Tangalooma is one of Queensland’s much loved and popular resorts, featuring excellent accommodations, regulated

Dolphin feeding and countless activities, as already mentioned in this report. Moreton Island is one of Australia’s great

unexplored wonder’s and it is a MUST for visitors on P&O as well as tourists to Qld. A fast ferry operates from Brisbane!

View the Tangalooma Island Resort Website for further details

On the right hand side – click “Experience Tanga in 3 MINUTES” for a fine view of the resort and its facilities!

One family on the Pacific Jewel emailed me saying; “We just had a superb day on Moreton Island, and we must come back again on proper a holiday!”

Thus this new P&O Cruises port of call was a huge success!

For more information visit www.pocruises.com.au

or call 13 24 94. BUT, then contact a GOOD Cruise Specialist who can offer better fares!

Also view and read about the ships of P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Pearl

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P&O Cruises Joins the Wiggles

… for the Australia Day Launch

The superb and elegant MV Pacific Pearl seen in Sydney in 2013

Thursday January 17, 2013: Forget the big red car! P&O Cruises today hosted The Wiggles on their big white ship to mark the official launch of the 2013 Australia Day program. The location of the prestigious launch was onboard Pacific Pearl reflected P&O Cruises’ new role as the official sponsor of the Australia Day Sydney Harbour program in 2013 and 2014.

To celebrate the holiday, Pacific Pearl will be moored in Sydney Harbour for the entire day, with her fortunate passengers enjoying a front row seat for all the festivities as well as the fireworks.

Along with naming rights to the harbour program, the cruise line will sponsor the 2.2km race in the Great Australian Swim Series Final in the harbour, while Pacific Pearl will blow its whistle to mark the start of the Tall Ships Parade as well as the Australia Day Regatta. In addition, the headline act for the day, singer Jessica Mauboy will perform a concert from a barge at Athol Buoy close to the Pacific Pearl, and the ship’s passengers will cast their votes for the best dressed vessel.

The Australian, but world renowned super popular The Wiggles will be performing in Sydney during the day, adding to the flavour of Australia Day to all ages!

Speaking at the launch of the program, P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall said the cruise line’s sponsorship of the official Australia Day activities on the harbour was an easy decision, given its long connection with Sydney Harbour. “Our link with this harbour goes all the way back to the 19th.century when the first P&O mail steamer, Chusan, arrived in Sydney in 1852, and caused a sensation. We’ve now been cruising from Sydney for 80 years so we’re delighted to support such a fantastic celebration on such a magnificent harbour,” Ms Marshall said.

Image above: P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall onboard Pacific Pearl with The Wiggles (l to r) Emma Watkins, Simon Pryce, Lachlan Gillespie and Anthony Field as well as MS Australia representative Emma Giunti and Stephen Papadopoulos (front row), promoting the inaugural MS Colour Run which forms part of the official Australia Day program

MS Australia is: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia.

ENTER my Pacific Pearl Feature

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P&O Australia is the Most Experienced Cruise Company

For it has been Cruising from Sydney for over 80 Years!

Ever since December 1932, Australians have had an ongoing love affair with cruising on a wonderful P&O ship and this continues until today as the company currently operates three superb specially designed and fitted out cruise ships for our market that are ready to take you n a vacation of a lifetime, be it on an adventure around the Pacific, North Queensland, New Zealand or any of the other voyages on offer!

You may be amazed to learn that P&O Cruises Australia is part of an historic company as it’s origins goes back to the establishment of the famed “Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company” (P&O) founded in 1852, and the older “Orient Line” that came into being back in 1777. Both companies collectively operated their ships on the Australian and New Zealand service over the years both having their own colour schemes, but eventually in 1960 it was decided for the two companies to mergeu7nder the one name of P&O and collectively create the world’s largest ocean-going passenger fleet. There is no doubt that today’s P&O Cruises Australia has come out of this great British heritage, but it is now very much an all Australian Company having been based in Sydney for a very long time and its very first most famous permanent P&O ship to be permanently based in Sydney was the extremely popular ex Sitmar liner, the 21,600 ton TSS Fairstar. She was based in Australia from 1974 through to 1997 when the 22,000 ton, TSS Fair Princess arrived on the scene. She was later followed up by another six wonderful ships, out of which three remain cruising today, the others have been sold and details are shown below. As P&O always ensures that their fleet is fully up to date with the very latest facilities and new venues and new fittings when and where required,. The ships will enter dry dock on a regular basis and they come out looking fresh with many new delights. But as we look at the list below, we can see we started with a ship that was a mere 21,000 tons and was built to accommodate just over 1,910 passengers. However, P&O’s current largest ship of the fleet, the superb 70,310 ton MV Pacific Jewel accommodates 1,909 passengers in far superior accommodations and all have private facilities, which the Fairstar did not have and this ship is more than three times her size! How things have changed as now we have three magnificent ships from 64,000 to just over 70,000 tons!

A full list of P&O ships that have been/are permanently based in Australia:

Past ships:

1. 1974 - Fairstar - 21,600 tons. Sold 1997 to be broken up.

2. 1997 - Fair Princess - 22,000 tons. Sold 2000 to become an Asian Casino ship.

3. 2000 - Pacific Sky - 46,000 tons. Sold 2006 to become the Spanish Sky Wonder.

4. 2004 - Pacific Sun - 47,000 tons. Sold 2011 to China to become the MS Henna.

5. 2005 - Pacific Star - 36,600 tons. Sold 2008 to become the Spanish Ocean Dream.

Currently Cruising:

6. 2007 - Pacific Dawn - 70,285 tons.

7. 2009 - Pacific Jewel - 70,310 tons.

8. 2010 - Pacific Pearl - 63,786 tons.

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

P&O was indeed the very first major world shipping company to operate a pleasure cruise out of Australia, and on Friday December 23, 1932, with some 1,100 passengers on board, the elegant l22,500-ton RMS Strathaird became the first large cruise ship as she gently slipped past Sydney Heads heading for Norfolk Island on a five day Christmas cruise. The next day, December 24, the RMS Oronsay departed Sydney, being the first cruise for Orient Lines, thus both these two ships set a new trend in large shipping that would be copied by other shipping companies and in due course commenced what is today the fastest growing sector in Australia’s tourist industry. When we consider that we had just one single cruise ship based in Australia just a mere ten years ago (2003) and one that was just

Authors note: After her duties during World War II as a troop ship she was fully refitted and she had her forward and aft dummy funnels removed and she became a single funnel liner in 1947. Thus, when she visited Norfolk Island in 1932 she still had her three funnels, although for some reason the commemorative stamp shows her with a single funnel.

The Main Lounge on the Strathmore

Photograph from the author’s private collection

The Verandah Café

Photograph from the author’s private collection

The Author’s Mini P&O Cruises Review:

Today P&O operates three stylish ships the MV Pacific Pearl (operates from Sydney and Auckland), MV Pacific Jewel (Sydney) and her twin sister the MV Pacific Dawn (Brisbane) she is shown below. Their facilities are simply superb and all three ships have recently received a comprehensive refit adding new and exciting new features, as well as interconnection cabins for families and friends. It hardly needs saying, but the variety of entertainment is far superior than it was in those old days when passengers made very much made their own fun, as there was just a ships band with vocal abilities that would play and sing in the afternoon and play to dance to in the evening. In addition there would be a resident pianist.

Whilst today it is a very different story as there is a vast amount of entertainment of offer! P&O has an excellent entertainment staff and a top Cruise director on board each ship who will ensure that everything runs to perfection! There will be a number of guest artists, vocalists and possibly magicians, but there will always be a top comedian! Then there are those grand shows in the huge multi level theatres forward of the ship. During the day, there is so much more, such as the multiple swimming pools, Jacuzzis and ample deck spaces and heaps of sport activities, be they organised or not, you will always have something to do, or if you prefers to do nothing at all, then that is just fine for there are ample sun lounges and chairs to laze the day away or a quiet spot in one of the lounge and there is a bar or a stewards never far away to serve you with whatever you wish! Now for that all important part of any cruise! You can be assured of a superb range of fine cuisine on board a P&O ship, be it in the Main restaurant for all three main meals, or head up to the superb Buffet, then there is the BBQ up on Deck, and not to forget the super superb Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill for a meal that will offer something that countless thousands have already tried and have raved about. Yes this is at an optional extra, but it is well worth it! No matter where you are on the ship you will find that the service on board is simply superb, very friendly and so efficient! As I have sailed with P&O a good number of times, I am speaking from experience and I have to say that I did pay full fares and was not a freeloader, like all journalists who write cruise reviews! In fact P&O do not offer me anything and that is fine for me as I have never ask, for I believer firmly in integrity, as I will not write a review had I been on a free ride as you are beholden to the company and they look after you differently that the normal passenger, and that is not me!

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

She is seen sailing down the Brisbane River heading off on another Pacific cruise in 2013

Photo by John Dawson © 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

For further information visit www.pocruises.com.au the contact your Cruise Specialist!

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Seabourn Highest Rated Luxury Line

In Travel+Leisure’s “World’s Best” Poll

Fourth Consecutive Small-Ship Award and a ‘Hall of Fame’ Slot

Seabourn has collected the fourth consecutive award as the “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” from the readers of Travel + Leisure. Readers scored the Seabourn fleet with it’s six intimate, all-suite ships higher than any other cruise line in the American magazine’s prestigious annual poll.

The award is the ultra-luxury line’s fifth “World’s Best” win since 2007 and it has ensured the company’s inclusion as a charter member of the publication’s “Hall of Fame”, comprised of companies that have scored “World’s Best” status for a decade or more. Seabourn’s President Richard Meadows sad; “This is an award that gives our shipboard staff a great deal of pleasure. Their greatest satisfaction is to see guests returning to sail with them again but this ‘World’s Best’ honour also makes them especially proud, because it comes from the guests they serve day after day.”

Seabourn’s intimate ships and genuine, intuitive style of personalised service have consistently placed it at the top of readers’ polls and rankings by knowledgeable cruise experts.

The wonderful Club is just one of the many fine lounges and bars

Seabourn was named the best small-ship cruise line in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for 2008, 2010 and 2011, and has been on that magazine’s elite Gold List of luxury travel options every year since the list was created.

Elegant and fine dinning in the open sitting restaurant includes all wines and champagnes

Five of Seabourn’s six ships are among the top seven ships in the world, according to the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships (the sixth was launched in June 2011, being the Seabourn Quest was too late to be reviewed). In addition, the line has been honoured with the Six Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

Seabourn’s six award-winning ships offer all inclusive key elements that set the cruise line apart including spacious suites, superb dining in a choice of venues, open bars and excellent service.

For general Information visit www.seabourn.com

Seabourn Unveils Its Full 2013 Europe Cruise Season

Seabourn Odyssey seen in beautiful Venice

March 26, 2012: Seabourn has unveiled an exciting 2013 Europe season featuring more than 100 departures aboard its six intimate, all-suite ships, visiting many of Europe’s captivating cities and hidden gems from April through October next year.

From the sun-blessed resorts on the Mediterranean coast to the shining polar ice pack in the Arctic Ocean, the line’s award-winning ships will carry travellers to more than 180 ports on voyages ranging from seven to 21 days in length. Seabourn’s 2013 Europe cruises are now available, and itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on www.seabourn.com.

The season will offer a variety of new itineraries, including a 21-day cruise beyond the Arctic Circle on Seabourn Pride, 10 and 11-day Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Venice on Seabourn Spirit, and 10-day Mediterranean cruises from Athens, Monte Carlo and Barcelona on Seabourn Quest.

The program will also feature overnight stays in many popular cities, such as St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Venice, Malta, Barcelona, Istanbul, Edinburgh and Dublin, allowing guests ample time to explore these magnificent destinations.

“There is so much to see and experience in Europe, and we’re pleased to offer a diverse range of itineraries, featuring our hallmark mix of well-known marquee ports and hidden gems,” Seabourn senior vice president of marketing and sales John Delaney said. “Our cruises offer the best of both worlds: explore many of Europe’s historical and cultural treasures from the incomparable elegance and ease of the world’s highest-rated cruise line.”

Seabourn’s fleet will visit many landmark cities and picturesque seaside towns that dot the coast of the Mediterranean. Seabourn Legend will offer alternating 10-day Western Mediterranean voyages between Monte Carlo and Rome. These cruises will stop at yacht harbours and quintessential Mediterranean islands and include the popular marina day, where guests can take to the water and enjoy a variety of watersports right from the ship’s exclusive marina.

Seabourn Quest will traverse the Mediterranean on a series of 10-day cruises from Barcelona, Athens and Monte Carlo, visiting a host of fascinating ports. The itineraries can be easily combined into voyages of up to 30 days without repeating ports of call, providing the ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience.

Seabourn Spirit will visit the best of the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts on alternating 10 and 11-day cruises from Venice. Guests will be able to explore the region’s picturesque villages and enjoy an onboard overnight in the romantic city of Venice at the end of each voyage.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Seabourn Odyssey will explore the Greek Isles and Turkey on seven-day cruises alternating between Athens and Istanbul, and Venice and Athens. The ship will also operate three seven-day voyages to the Black Sea, featuring a full day and overnight onboard in Istanbul.

Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Pride will be based further to the north in the Baltic and Scandinavia. Seabourn Sojourn will operate a series of seven-day Baltic cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm and feature three days in the majestic city of St. Petersburg, a signature Seabourn offering. The ship will also operate a pair of cruises to the beautiful Norwegian fjords, as well as a 21-day cruise from Dover to Montreal, visiting quaint towns and ports in countries from Ireland to Québec.

Seabourn Pride will offer longer Baltic cruises, with 12 and 14-day voyages that include overnight stays in St. Petersburg. The ship will also operate a new 21-day North Cape cruise, venturing into the Arctic Ocean, calling on Longyearbyen and Ny Aalesund in the dramatic Norwegian Spitsbergen islands and skirting the shining polar ice pack.

For more information call 13 24 02 or visit www.seabourn.com.

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A World of Cruising

Celebrating 175 Years

Trading P&O Heritage back to 1837

MV Aurora

P&O world cruising will operate three of their ships in 2013 on three very different routes around the globe, and this may be an exciting time for P&O to show you the world in a very special anniversary year!

The fabulous MV Aurora will sail from Southampton Eastward via the Caribbean, Panama Canal Mexico, America Hawaii, Tahiti, down to Auckland and include a complete cruise of New Zealand then to Sydney. Voyages are available all the way from $4,949 pp, or join the ship in San Francisco to Sydney for 2,549 pp, based on an inside cabin. She will sail from Sydney and sail via Brisbane to Cairns to ports in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, various Middkle East counties, iSafaga Egyot to visit the valley of the kings, also the Holy Land, the Suez Canal and Port Said for Cairo and the Pyramids, Italy and Lisbon. This voyage is already very heavily booked, thus book very early and see your cruise specialist as soon as possible!

The larger MV Arcadia departs England and undertakes an exciting voyage around South America, too long to go though here, then sails via Easter Island to Pitcairn Island to Papeete Tahiti and Bora Bora, to Suva, Noumea Brisbane and Sydney. She returns via a complete cruise around New Zealand finishing at Auckland, then northward to Pago Pago, Apia Hawaii, San Francisco, Mexico, and several other Mexican ports, the Panama Canal some fabulous Caribbean Islands Ponte Degada mid Atlantic back to England.

The Intimate MV Adonia takes the less travelled route and sails from the UK and circumnavigates South America, an exciting 85 night voyage. All inside cabins are sold out, and outside rooms are fom $15,649 pp, but remember this is a very special ship indeed!

For further information visit www.pocruises.com.au for information and itineraries

BUT, then contact a GOOD Cruise Specialist who can offer better fares!

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P&O Cruises World Cruising Announces …

A New but hiddeous 141,000 ton Cruise Ship

The Largest ever Cruise Ship to be built for Britain will be it Really 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 that commences cruising in 2013

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?

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 www.pocruises.com (UK) for information and itineraries

BUT, then contact a GOOD Cruise Specialist who can offer better fares!

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Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

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