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 Edition

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

On This Page

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: Pacific Jewel on Getaway Thursday 18 February

Seabourn Yachts: Seabourn Pride to cruise year-round in Asia

Carnival News: Carnival Corp & Plc donates A$6.63 Million towards Haiti relief efforts

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

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Jewel is officially named by The Governor General at a spectacular ceremony!

P&O Cruises Australia: Announces that Australian Idol Stan Walker will perform at Pacific Jewel naming

Cunard Line: MV Queen Elizabeth receives her name

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

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess to return to WA for a record 2010 season

Cunard Line: New MV Queen Elizabeth 2010 Schedules released

P&O Cruises Australia: New Gem named Pacific Pearl – Photo’s

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Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and NOT associated with a cruise line or cruise/travel agency. I have been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and I am currently retired, but continue to write cruise & ship reviews and write articles to inform cruise & ship enthusiasts to provide information for those intending a cruise. If you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise agent in Australia or New Zealand, agents that specialises in cruising and who will be able to best to advise you and offer the best fares possible. Be assured, I do NOT receive a commission from these agents, and in the majority of cases these agents will not be aware of my involvement as I provide the enquirer with the requested information and the agents (in their region) contact details. Or you can visit my recommended AGENTS page for their direct contact details.

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Australia to Become Queen Mary 2’s Home-Away-From-Home

Cunard Lines MV Queen Mary arrives at Sydney on Sunday 7 March for an overnight stay

March 8: Cunard Line officially announced that their most famous cruise ship MV Queen Mary 2 will a historic circumnavigation of Australia in 2012. Durinf this special “Royal Circumnavigation of Australia” the QM2 will visit five states and the Northern Territory.

Queen Mary 2’s “Royal Circumnavigation of Australia” is a first for Cunard Line and it will generate an economic windfall around the country. During this voyage the QM2 will visit eight Australian ports, including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden calls to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include an overseas port, as a visit is planned to be made to Bali.

Queen Mary 2 will first arrive in Fremantle as she arrives from Cape Town South Africa, she will then sail via Adelaide to Sydney. The circumnavigation commences in three ports, Fremantle, Adelaide and in Sydney, thus as a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will all enjoy two visits from the QM2 during her superb 2012 Australian Summer season.

Thus as we have already seen, Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options.

1. 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on February 8, 2012.

2. 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on February 11, 2012.

3. 22-night voyage departing Sydney on February 14, 2012.

In total the Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters. The Australian deployment will be the longest Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of either Southampton or New York.

Speaking onboard the Queen Mary 2 during her visit to Sydney today, Ann Sherry, Chief Executive of Carnival Australia which represents Cunard Line in Australia, said the decision was a sign of confidence in the Australian cruise market. “This one decision will generate at least $10 million for the Australian economy as the local cruise industry remains on track to contribute more than $3 billion and carry one million Australians annually by 2020,” Ms Sherry said. Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said Cunard had strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years. “Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012,” he said.

Mr Shanks said he expected very strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets. The Royal Circumnavigation will not go on sale until mid 2010 to allow the final itinerary details to be finalised with the various port authorities around the country. However, Cunard will be taking expressions of interest as from this Friday, March 12, 2010 from travellers interested in sailing on Queen Mary 2 from Sydney, Fremantle or Adelaide before deciding the voyage’s sectors.*

Australian travellers will also be able to join Queen Mary 2 as she sails to Australia from Cape Town, and as she departs Sydney on March 7, 2012, bound for Singapore.

*The Itinerary is based on preliminary plans and subject to change before its sale date.

Expressions of interest should be logged at www.queenmary2.com.au/register.

Enter our Queen Mary 2 feature

Also read about the Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth

For 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 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

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Seabourn Announces New Asian Program for 2011

MV Seabourn Pride to be based in Asia

Photograph © The Yachts of Seabourn

The Ultra-luxury cruise line - The Yachts of Seabourn have announced its award-winning all-suite MV Seabourn Pride will remain in Asia throughout 2011 thus giving Australians an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy luxury cruising close to home.

Speaking in Sydney during the maiden visit of the new Seabourn Odyssey, Yachts of Seabourn President and CEO M/s Pamela Conover said Seabourn Pride would offer a range of new winter-season cruises in 2011 to destinations such as Indonesia and Malaysia, in addition to its program of Asian cruising to nations such as Japan, Korea and China, introduced this year … “We already have a very loyal following of guests from Australia and New Zealand who regularly sail with us in Europe and the Americas,” Ms Conover said. “They obviously love the experience, and we’re glad that they, their friends and families will now have the option to enjoy Seabourn yachting life closer to home. To put it simply, they will be able to travel well, without having to travel far.”

New features of the 2011 winter-season itineraries include popular destinations such as Bali, Singapore and Vietnam and hard-to-reach gems such as the captivating Karimunjawa Islands, the exotic Torajaland region on Sulawesi and memorable Komodo Island. Seabourn Pride will also make calls at three ports on the island of Borneo, varying from the opulent Sultanate of Brunei to an enchanting visit to a refuge for orphaned Orangutans. Bookings for these new voyages will be available from March 2, 2010.

Seabourn Pride’s Asian deployment had been made possible by the expansion of Seabourn’s fleet, which will see the addition of three new 450-guest, all-suite vessels – Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest – by 2011. They join a fleet of the three more intimate, 208-guest, all-suite vessels, the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend, ships that have consistently topped the lists of the world’s finest travel experiences!

M/s Conover said she believed the continued year-round deployment of the intimate Seabourn Pride in Asia in 2011 would be very appealing to Australians, as well as Seabourn’s guests from North America and Europe. “Our new Seabourn Pride itineraries will enable our guests to explore the beauty and cultural diversity of Asia in the relaxed, casual elegance and effortless ease only possible from the deck of a Seabourn yacht,” Ms Conover said.

M/s Conover said Seabourn would also have a summer presence in the southern hemisphere with its world voyage program. Following Seabourn Odyssey’s 2010 world cruise, Seabourn Sojourn will visit Australia in 2011 on a globe-circling journey from Los Angeles to London with calls to Fremantle, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

In 2012, Seabourn Odyssey will also be sailing a South Pacific circle voyage called “Stars of the Southern Cross” with segments from 14 to 26 days available between Los Angeles, Auckland and Sydney.

There is more a little further down the page re cruises in 2010!

Visit our Seabourn Yachts feature

For 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

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Pacific Jewel to Star on Getaway

MV Pacific Jewel – Sydney bound!

February 2010: Australia will get a taste of P&O Cruises' new food and wine themed cruises on Thursday February 18 at 7.30pm when Channel 9's Getaway airs a story on the P&) Cruises latest ship the Pacific Jewel.

Natalie Rzewski and a Getaway crew sailed on Pacific Jewel's last food and wine themed three-night cruise that departed on January 29, which explored the food and wine theme. Natalie took time out to enjoy meals at with Luke Mangan’s “Salt Grill,” the Asian fusion restaurant “La Luna” and the main restaurant, the “Waterfront Restaurant,” and she learnt a little more about wine with Glandore Estate winemaker Duane Roy, as well as fine dining at sea with celebrity chef Luke Mangan and how to make the perfect coffee with Nestle’s Tony Durante. Pacific Jewel's spacious Aqua Spa was given the thumbs up, with Natalie sampling the signature Diamond facial treatment whilst she was onboard.

Natalie Rzewski and Nestle’s Tony Durante

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: 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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Seabourn Pride begins new Year-Round cruises in Asia

January: Seabourn’s luxury Yacht, MV Seabourn Pride has recently received a multi-million dollar refurbishment - just in time to begin a new year-round schedule of cruises in Asia. Giving her a fresh new stylish look and many modern upgrades with new carpeting and furnishings throughout.

Seabourn President and CEO Pamela Conover stated in an interview; “The Pride is polished and stunning, and ready to impress her guests in the Far East,” She also said, “The Pride cruises in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Korea and Japan are designed for travelers who have been to Europe and want to cruise in new and exotic destinations. They offer authentic travel experiences filled with enriching and lasting memories, but in relaxed, elegant Seabourn style.”

The intimate, all-suite vessel is deployed in Asia to operate a variety of new itineraries combining visits to popular cities with new ports of call, such as Dalian, China; Busan and Yeosu, Korea; Nagasaki and Kagoshima in Japan. The schedule also includes the line's first summer voyages in Vietnam and Thailand, which are typically featured in the Pride’s winter itineraries, as well as direct sailings between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, another first for Seabourn Yachts. A selection of escorted pre and post-cruise land options are also available for guests who wish to extend their Asian vacations.

Visit our Seabourn Yachts feature

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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 Australia & Princess Cruises - NEWS

Carnival Corporation donates $6.63 Million towards Haiti relief efforts

January 19: Carnival Corporation & plc and its affiliated cruise brands have donated at least A$6.63 million toward relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The funds will be forwarded to several different international organisations coordinating the relief efforts within the country.

Mr. Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc in the USA said; "We are saddened by this tragedy, it is one of the worst natural disasters of our lifetime and we are deeply concerned for the people of Haiti and hope that this donation will help provide much-needed assistance.” – “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by this catastrophe," he added.

Carnival Corporation & plc's donation has been earmarked for the following relief organisations: UNICEF, the University of Miami's Project MediShare, American Red Cross, and Save the Children Fund.

The A$6.63 million donation includes a large corporate contribution along with monies raised from a variety of fundraising efforts coordinated by Carnival Corporation & plc's cruise brands, both in their offices in North America, Europe and Australia and throughout their fleet.

The company is also working with the Miami HEAT on a coordinated relief effort for collecting various emergency supplies that are being shipped and distributed to Haiti by the University of Miami's Project MediShare.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, including Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

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Kathy Freeman Welcomes Pacific Dawn

As she makes Brisbane her home port

Pacific Dawn at berthed at the Brisbane Portside Cruise Terminal – December 19, 2009

December 19: On a perfect summer’s day MV Pacific Dawn slowly sailed up the Brisbane River and berthed at the Portside Passenger Cruise Terminal, which will be her new home as from today. This grand 70,000-ton Dolphin like ship has replaced the Pacific Sun, which will be cruising out of Fremantle during the summer months. As Pacific Dawn is almost 50% larger than the Pacific Sun, and a certainly according the author a far superior ship, this was the main reason she was selected and relocated to Brisbane as the demand for cruising is constantly increasing in Queensland and booking numbers are certainly growing in record numbers!

To welcome the Dawn Princess to Brisbane was the ships Godmother famed Australian Olympian Ms Kathy Freeman, Ms Ann Sherry CEO Carnival Australia/P&O and the Hon. Peter Lawlor the Queensland Minister for Tourism who addressed a special media conference in front of the Lido Pool Bar up on Lido Deck at 10.15 am.

Captain Christopher Wells and Ms Ann Sherry, CEO Carnival Australia

Ann Sherry said that “Pacific Dawn’s deployment to Brisbane would be huge boost to Queensland tourism.” Queensland Minister for Tourism Peter Lawlor agreed with Ms Sherry and stated that “Pacific Dawn will inject $44 million into the local economy.”

The Captain, Ann Sherry and the Minister of Tourism the Hon Peter Lawlor

Ann Sherry said, “Having a larger ship in Brisbane full time will increase cruise related revenue as there will be more spending by passengers and crew, more supplies and more port fees.” She continued; “Pacific Dawn will also attract more intra and interstate visitors to Brisbane, many of whom will take pre and post cruise breaks on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. It all adds up to more and more jobs for Queensland.” Ms Sherry also stated that a new study by Access Economics showed that the cruise industry was contributing $1.2 billion to the Australian economy each year, a jump of 54% in the 12 months to 2007-08. The report said the industry was expected to grow about 7% each year to the next 10 years.”

The ships Godmother, Ms Kathy Freeman welcomed the Pacific Dawn to Brisbane, and she told me “I am proud to be a Queenslander and to have been chosen to be the ships Godmother in 2007.” She also said that P&O had taken on her cause the “Catherine Freeman Foundation.” On board Pacific Dawn there are several loose chance boxes, which over the past two years have collected well over a $100,000 from passengers and crew she was “Very grateful for P&O’ support, as P&O is our largest and most generous sponsor!”

Kathy Freeman and the Captain

After the media conference there was a tour of the Bridge with the Captain followed by a tour of the ship and a lunch in the Palm Court Restaurant, which was nothing short from outstanding and accompanied by some superb Australian wines.

What makes Pacific Dawn so special?

The Pacific Dawn is much larger than the ship she replaces, the Pacific Sun, which will now operate seasonal cruises out of Fremantle, Newcastle as well as Auckland New Zealand and some from Sydney. But, with our new arrival in Brisbane, Queensland cruise enthusiasts and those new to cruising will find a superb ship available right at their doorstep, a ship that offers the very best of facilities possible, and thus Queenslanders will no longer have to travel to other cities or go overseas to find a ship of this calibre!

An overview of the atrium

Pacific Dawn features an elegant three story atrium, a two level grand theatre/showroom, nine bars and lounges and five superb dining facilities. This grand floating hotel offers no less than 795 cabins, including 10 specially cabins suitable for wheelchair dependent passengers. There are 440 outside cabins with a window (several have a porthole), 171 value for money inside cabins,134 outside cabins with balcony, 36 mini-suites with private balcony and 14 deluxe suite with private balconies. Of course all accommodations have private bathrooms, TV, a personal safe, fridge, and a host of facilities to make a cruise a cruise comfortable.

Above and below: This is a standard outside twin bedded cabin on D Deck (8)

These two photos provide a good idea of the width of the cabin.

Cabins are more generous than on most ships! Also note the LCD TV

Out on deck there are two swimming pools, as well as whirlpools, a jogging track, a comprehensive gym for those who like to keep fit. Also available is the sauna and steam rooms.

Then there is the luxurious “Lotus Spa” for those who wish to indulge! To be frank, the Pacific Dawn brings the very best in cruising to Brisbane and all Queenslanders and those in the Northern Territory, but the best of all is that P&O Cruises Australia offers all this at great value for money, with excellent fares available!

Check with your travel agent, P&O Cruises and also keep an eye on the travel pages in your news papers for some really great fares will be available! For information and reservations email Corie at info@cruisespecialists.com.au. Or visit: www.pocruises.com.au.

The Dome atop the ship is a huge and the most spectacular venue on the ship

Pacific Dawn’s first official cruise departed tonight on a nine night Christmas cruise and I noted that the ship is superbly decorated and there were Carollers moving around on various levels the Atrium, singing beautifully all day! As I said earlier, I had the pleasure of having lunch on board along with a large group of others and the food was simply superb, as it was when I last sailed on Pacific Sun’s seven night cruise in November 2008, being the cruise when we rescued a yacht and our cruise was extended by one night. But the quality of the meals on P&O Cruises Australia has become so good that I believe is by far superior to most ships I have sailed on, including some lines who claim to be of a “Premier” grade!

Having been on 121 cruises and knowing my ships, I highly recommend Pacific Dawn for she is a superb cruise ship. In addition she is filled with the ever friendly, smiling P&O staff, and P&O as always continues to offer some of the best entertainment at sea that includes some unique features that is not heard of on any other cruise line, such as “ViZon Laser Light Shows” in the Atrium, which has a spectacular surround sound track and the entertainment staff are dressed in especially mirrored covered clothing that reflects the laser rays making these events spectacular! Then there is the famed “Sit Down Comedy Club” that has become a popular feature. Then on some clear nights there will be special stargazing events with “Voyage to the Stars” nights. For the younger set there is a vast variety of children’s and teen programs available on the ship, no matter their age group they will never be bored. There is something for everyone on Pacific Dawn and that is what cruising is all about!

Pacific Dawn has made her home in Brisbane

Also view three photo pages of the superb and much loved Brisbane based

MV Pacific Dawn

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: 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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Australian Cruising Boom Continues with

Launch of P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel

Pacific Jewel Named in Sydney

On Saturday night December 12, P&O Cruises launched its latest cruise ship the Pacific Jewel in Sydney in a spectacular ceremony marking proving the ever increasing growth of the Australian cruise industry.

The Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, officially named the ship by breaking a bottle of champagne above its decks, while thousands of Sydney-siders celebrated at a special P&O Cruises’ South Pacific party alongside the ship at the International Passenger Terminal. There were performances by Idol singers Stan Walker and Wes Carr as well as a spectacular fireworks display overhead.

As this evening also had another special reason, being one to raise funds for a two very special charities, the evening raised almost $50,000 for the nominated charities by the Governor-General, being the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia and the Special Olympics Australia. A key part of the fundraising was the auction of a an exquisite jewel necklace that was especially created for the event by Hardy Brothers Jewellers. In addition there was a public raffle of a Pacific Jewel cruise.

Ms Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia operators of P&O Cruises, said the debut of Pacific Jewel represented a massive 50 per cent increase in the size of P&O Cruises’ fleet and this had been driven by consumer demand. Ms Sherry said official figures showed that more than 330,000 Australians took a cruise holiday in 2008, which was up 26 per cent on the previous year, with the Australian cruise industry now valued at $1.2 billion a year, according to a new “Access Economics report.”

“Australia is one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world, so we’re responding by introducing more ships and increasing the number of Australian ports we sail from,” Ms Sherry said.

Carrying 1950 passengers, the 70,000-ton Pacific Jewel features a number of firsts for the Australian cruise market including the largest spa at sea for an Australian ship, a huge open-air deck that has an aerial stage for special circus and music performances. In addition there is the first restaurant at sea for internationally renowned chef Luke Mangan named the “Salt Grill.”

The Pacific Jewel will be based in Sydney on a full time basis offering cruises to destinations in the South Pacific. She departed Sydney on her inaugural cruise on Sunday the 13th – being a five-night voyage to Tasmania.

She joins P&O Cruises’ existing ships, the popular Pacific Dawn, which is now based in Brisbane, and Pacific Sun, which will sail from various ports, Newcastle, Fremantle, Auckland New Zealand and Sydney. A fourth ship, the Pacific Pearl will join the cruise line in December 2010, and she will commence sailing from Auckland and then from Sydney.

Ms Sherry said more and more Australians were recognising cruising as a great value holiday, which included meals, accommodation, transport between ports and entertainment all in the one fare.

“They’re also discovering it’s a great way to travel – you just step onboard, unpack once and relax as the destinations come to you.”

Pacific Jewel’s 2010 sailings include 10-night South Pacific cruises departing Sydney on January 9 or 19 2010, with fares starting from $1559* per person twin share.

Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce AC has named the ship by breaking a bottle of champagne

Pacific Jewel is ready to set sail!

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: 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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The Governor-General as well as Australian Idols to be part of the

naming ceromony of P&O Cruises’ newest addition to the fleet

Pacific Jewel to be officially named in Sydney on December 12

November 24: Latest Australian Idol winner Stan Walker will be one of the highlight acts at a massive public party to launch P&O Cruises’ latest stunning ship the Pacific Jewel at Circular Quay in Sydney on Saturday December 12. Stan will be joined by last year’s Idol Wes Carr, to perform live as part of a free line-up of exciting entertainment at the historic celebration.

Kicking off at 5pm at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the charity event will also feature breathtaking aerial acrobatic performances reflecting the ship’s onboard circus entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Kids will also be able to join in the fun with activities such as face painting and photos with Santa and there will be a range of gourmet food stalls offering a selection of dishes available at Pacific Jewel’s five onboard restaurants and cafes.

The Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, will officially launch the ship during a traditional naming ceremony, which will be projected live onto the side of the ship for public viewing from the opera house side.

All funds raised from the launch event will be donated to The Leukaemia Foundation and Special Olympics Australia, two of the Governor-General’s preferred charities.

P&O Cruises Event Director Greg Dehn said the cruise line was delighted to give Sydneysiders a chance to get into the Christmas spirit with their favourite Australian Idols.

“The launch of Pacific Jewel will be a fantastic chance for visitors and locals alike to enjoy Sydney’s festive summer atmosphere and be part of P&O Cruises’ history,” Mr Dehn said. - “With a raffle to win a cruise to be held on the night, party-goers can feel good about supporting two very worthy charities.”

At 70,310 tonnes, Pacific Jewel will carry 1,950 passengers and feature one of the largest spas at sea, an open-air deck with aerial stage for circus and music performances, a three-storey atrium foyer and almost 200 cabins featuring a private balcony, being the most in P&O Cruises’ fleet. Pacific Jewel will offer cruises from Sydney, with her maiden five-night voyage to Tasmania departing the following day - December 13.

For more information about the launch event visit www.pocruises.com.au

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: 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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Queen Elizabeth receives her name

The new 90,400-ton ship receives her name

November 24: There has been a “Queen Elizabeth” in the Cunard fleet for over 70 years and when Cunard Line’s third “Elizabeth” joins the fleet in October 2010 she will carry this proud name far into this Century.

This new grand ship, the third in the fleet, has just received her name when the letters were welded onto her bow at the Fincantieri shipyard near Trieste in Italy. MV Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage from Southampton on 12 October 2010.

Also visit the following Cunard features online

Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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 Raises the Bar with New 2010-11 Program

Pacific Jewel commences cruising from Sydney on December 13

November 11: P&O Cruises has released its new 2010-11 program packed with cruising firsts, including two ships sailing from Brisbane in 2011 and a new season of summer cruising from Newcastle.

The growing popularity of cruising from Brisbane has prompted P&O Cruises to introduce a second ship, with Pacific Sun joining superliner Pacific Dawn from March 2011 to offer 16 cruises from the Queensland capital, boosting capacity by 50 per cent for the first half of 2011.

The new program also features P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl’s first seven months of cruising from Auckland and Sydney, with highlights from Sydney including a new 10-night cruise to New Zealand in March 2011 and a 28-day voyage to Tahiti in July, following the success of Pacific Dawn’s cruise this year.

P&O Cruises has expanded its offering of themed cruises following the sell-out popularity of its shorter “sampler” cruises this year, with the latest program featuring more three-night Comedy and Food & Wine cruises as well as new four-night Lifestyle cruises from Sydney, Newcastle and Auckland.

Meanwhile, Pacific Sun will offer Novocastrians a longer season of summer cruising in 2011, sailing eight cruises from Newcastle to the South Pacific, New Zealand and around Australia in February and March.

Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the new program provided more variety for Australians planning their next cruise holiday.

Highlights of P&O Cruises’ 2011 program include:

A new three-night Lifestyle cruise onboard Pacific Jewel departs Sydney February 11, 2011. Fares start at $699* per person.

A nine-night cruise from Newcastle onboard Pacific Sun to the South Pacific including Port Vila, Ouvea and Noumea, departing March 6, 2011. Fares start at $1899* per person.

Pacific Pearl’s 28-night voyage from Sydney to Tahiti visiting Norfolk Island, Tonga, Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora in Tahiti, Samoa, Tin Can Island, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia departs July 1, 2011. Fares start at $5599* per person.

P&O Cruises has also introduced new Special Occasions packages, available for purchase pre-cruise, to add a special touch to onboard celebrations. Priced from $80, the birthday and special occasion packages include a bottle of sparkling, red or white wine, dinner for two at the Steakhouse (or the new Salt Grill by Luke Mangan onboard Pacific Jewel) and portrait photograph.

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: 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

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

Pacific Sun to Rise in Auckland in 2010

With Reuben Goossens on board Dawn Princess heading for the Panama Canal

Pacific Sun seen in the Brisbane River after her 2008 refit

August 4, 2009: P&O Cruises has extended its New Zealand cruise season following a sell-out response this year. P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun returned to Auckland this morning to mark the end of a two-month season in which she carried 12,000 Kiwis on 70 calls to 17 different ports throughout the South Pacific. The 2009 cruise season was a sell-out for P&O Cruises, with a 20 percent growth in the number of families travelling on each cruise – a clear sign that they are taking advantage of the value cruising offers for all age groups and the flexibility that allows everyone to take a break together.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises in New Zealand, said the decision to base Pacific Sun out of Auckland for a record four-month season next year reflected the increasing popularity of cruising among New Zealanders. “This is our third, and biggest, season from New Zealand and we will offer something for everyone, as well as directly contribute $9 million to the local economy,” Ms Sherry said. “As well as extending next season, we’re moving the season forward to April which will mean warmer weather for our New Zealand passengers. “We’re also very excited about the new 12-night voyages to Norfolk Island, an historic destination for P&O Cruises as our first port of call almost 77 years ago.” “The support for cruising in the local market has meant that P&O Cruises has been able to invest in improving and expanding our fleet from two ships to four ships by late next year. “This rapid expansion also provides extra opportunities for the technical staff, senior officers and security personnel that we recruit from New New Zealand.”

P&O Bookings for the 2010 season are already looking strong with last week recording the strongest level of sales for a season still nine-months away. Cruise NZ Chairman Craig Harris says despite the economic climate hitting many travel and tourism businesses hard, the $174 million cruise industry is in good shape and looking forward to a bright future. “The addition of the second dedicated cruise terminal at Queens Wharf will be timely to cater for what has become New Zealand’s fifth largest inbound tourism market,” Mr Harris said.

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: 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

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

“The Most Celebrated Cruise Line in the World”

Seabourn Introduces New Ultra-Luxury Yacht

Seabourn Odyssey seen during her sea trails

Photograph © The Yachts of Seabourn

June 25: The brand new ultra-luxury yacht MV Seabourn Odyssey has been revealed during a spectacular evening naming ceremony in Venice, Italy on June 24 by The Yachts of Seabourn. In a first for the cruise line, Odyssey’s 450 guests on her maiden cruise acted as godparents at the ceremony, before the luxurious yacht set sail on her first 14-day voyage to explore the Dalmatian coast, the Greek Isles and Turkey.

the 32,000-ton Seabourn Odyssey is the first of three 450-guest vessels being especially built for the Seabourn fleet. This will represent a 216% increase in passenger capacity. The second new yacht the MV Seabourn Sojourn will join the fleet in 2010 whilst the third of the trio, has not as yet been named, but she is due in 2011.

Australians will have their own chance to see Seabourn Odyssey when she visits our shores in February 2010 on her first 108-night world cruise. She will visit, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Darwin. A 20-night journey from Sydney to Hong Kong departing February 24, 2010 is priced from US$10,572 per person twin share.

The first new ship to be added to the world’s ultra luxury cruise segment in more than six years, the US$250 million Seabourn Odyssey offers the largest spa at sea on any luxury ship, featuring a two-deck-high waterfall, thalasso therapy pool and stunning ocean views. In addition the Odyssey also features the Seabourn Square that includes a library, boutiques, an outdoor terrace and coffee bar as well as concierges prepared to respond to any request, from in-port shopping tips to creating the ultimate shore excursion.

“The launch of Odyssey allows us to serve more travellers but still offer the intimate and exclusive experience which has made us a leader in the luxury cruising market,” Yachts of Seabourn President and CEO Pamela Conover said.

Although three times the size of her smaller 10,000-ton sister ships the Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, Seabourn Odyssey will onlycarry just over twice the number of guests, and boast the same gracious ratio of hospitality staff to guests and among the highest space-per-guest ratios in the cruise industry.

Odyssey features the most exclusive all-suite accommodation available at sea, with 90 per cent of her 225 suites offering private verandah’s, while the top-of-the-range suites also include a private solarium. The yacht also offers five dining venues including a spacious open-seating restaurant, five bars and lounges and an expansive pool and sunbathing area.

This superb yacht and her future sisters are built by the famed shipbuilder T. Mariotti S.p.A. of Genoa, Italy and come at a cost of $250 million each.

When Seabourn was founded in 1987, this company clearly established the philosophy to create nothing less than a totally new concept of cruising, a cruise line that had absolute dedication to the highest level of personal service, equal to that found in celebrated hotels, resorts and restaurants around the world. Spaciousness and elegance is the rule, with an ambiance that allows pampered guests to establish their own pace befitting their own lifestyles. Now with a new yacht and two more to come, Seabourn has so much more to offer those who want something more than just a cruise, but an experience that encounters places and people whilst being pampered and looked after in a manner that only Seabourn can!

The Author has been in passenger shipping since 1960 and part owned a cruise company in the 1970’s, and I can say without any hesitation that The Yachts of Seabourn is at the very top of the luxury cruise market!

Reuben Goossens

Visit our Seabourn Yachts feature

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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

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

Cunard Announces Royal Rendezvous on Sydney Harbour in 2011

The all new MV Queen Elizabeth is a sister to the Queen Victoria

June 23: Cunard Line has announced that their new addition to the fleet the MV Queen Elizabeth (sister ship to the Queen Victoria) will make maiden visits to three Australian cities in 2011 during her inaugural world cruise. During this world cruise she will make a spectacular “Royal Rendezvous” in Sydney with her big sister, the MV Queen Mary 2.

Queen Elizabeth is due to be launched in December 2010 and she will depart Southampton for her 103-day world odyssey on January 5, 2011, and will make 35 ports of call, including visits to Sydney (Feb 22), Melbourne (Feb 25) and Fremantle (March 1). Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 will visit Australia for the fourth time in 2011 and will to Sydney (Feb 22) , Adelaide (Feb 20) and Fremantle (Feb 17) during her 96-day world cruise which includes visits to South America, South Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. Queen Mary 2’s visit to Sydney on February 22, 2011 will form part of a memorable “Royal Rendezvous” on Sydney Harbour with Queen Elizabeth, which is sure to draw thousands of spectators to the foreshore, much as it did when she met the QE2.

Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth will also enjoy a “Royal Rendezvous” in New York with the Queen Victoria on January 13, and this will be an historic first meeting of the three Cunard Queens in New York and this visit will be followed up by a tandem Trans-Atlantic crossing by the two sisters, the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

The 2011 world voyage program also raises the curtain on a brand new way to see the world, with the opportunity to sail on three ocean liners in one full world voyage. Guests can board Queen Victoria in Southampton to sail to New York, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth to sail from New York to Sydney before joining Queen Mary in Sydney for the return voyage to Southampton.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which represents Cunard in Australia, said the line’s 2011 world voyage program was both historic and exciting. “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Cunard’s newest liner Queen Elizabeth to our waters for the first time, along with the magnificent Queen Mary 2 and look forward to another memorable ‘Royal Rendezvous’ on Sydney Harbour.”

Enter our new MV Queen Elizabeth feature

There is another feature on the Queen Elizabeth down this page

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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

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

Seabourn to Sail Asian Waters Year-Round in 2010-11

Seabourn Pride and her sister Seabourn Spirit Asia bound!

June: Luxury cruise line The Yachts of Seabourn has announced it will have its first year-round presence in Asia, following the expansion of its fleet. Two yachts, Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Spirit, will offer a range of new Asian itineraries from December 2009 to April 2011, featuring new ports throughout the region. On offer will be calls to Dalian in China, Busan and Incheon in Korea, Nagasaki and Kagoshima in Japan and Borneo as well as exotic Indonesian destinations like Komodo Island and the Karimunjawa archipelago.

Unmatched in style, elegance and grace, Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Spirit are ultra-luxury, all-suite vessels each carrying 208 guests and accented by extraordinary levels of personalised service. Their new Asian sailings follow the expansion of Seabourn’s fleet this year with the launch of its latest ultra-luxury vessel, Seabourn Odyssey, on 24 June. Famous for its unique shore experiences as well as its superb onboard service, Seabourn will also be offering new and expanded destination tours in Asia including land safaris, journeys to Bhutan and more.

Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which represents The Yachts of Seabourn in Australia, said Seabourn’s new itineraries offered the chance to visit remote destinations in style. “We think Australians will love Seabourn’s Asian cruises because they combine the comforts of ultra luxury cruising with the excitement of visiting exotic new ports from the rainforests and clear waters of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia to South Korea’s Mokpo, home to one of UNESCO’s memorable World Heritage sites,” Ms Lourey said. Guests can experience the diversity of Asia on a variety of stunning Seabourn itineraries including:

A 14-night Asian Capitals and Vietnam cruise departing Singapore on December 5, 2009 onboard Seabourn Pride calling at Bangkok and Ko Kood in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam as well as Hong Kong in China. Fares are available from US$4999* per person twin share.

A 12-night journey from China to Japan departing Shanghai in China on September 15, 2010, onboard Seabourn Pride. This amazing tour calls at Jiangyin and Qingdao in China, Mokpo, Jeju Island and Busan in South Korea and Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Kobe in Japan. Fares are available from US$7,890* per person twin share.

Visit our Seabourn Yachts feature

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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

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

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Unveiled

March 18: Carnival/Cunard announced in 2007 that it would build a new ship at the famed Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard named MV Queen Elizabeth considering they had sold the classic and famed Queen Elizabeth 2 to Dubai to become a hotel.

Today it was announced that the new Queen Elizabeth will enter service on October 12, 2010, and that her first six voyages will be available and on sale as off April 2.

The 90,400-ton grand cruise ship’s maiden voyage will be a 13-night cruise to the Atlantic Isles, visiting Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and Madeira. Fares will commence at: A$3609* per person twin share.

Other inaugural voyages will include a 14-night “Mediterranean Premiere”, a 19-night “Aegean Introduction”, a five-night “Gallic Debut”, a second voyage to Iberia and the Canaries and a 22-night Christmas voyage to the Caribbean.

MV Queen Elizabeth will accommodate 2,092 guests and she will cost £365 million to build. She will be the second largest Cunard ship built to date, and the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Carnival/Cunard in the last six years, giving one of the classic names in shipping the strength of owning the youngest fleet in the industry.

Named after the first RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Queen Elizabeth, which was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, although she sadly was destroyed by fire in Hong Kong having been sold to become the Seawise University, the new Queen Elizabeth will reference her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but we are told that she will have a modern twist.

Externally she will feature the distinctive Cunard black and red livery, something that will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard ship from a modern-day cruise *liner. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to ships traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale.

In addition to the extensive Cunard entertainment program on board, Queen Elizabeth will offer some unique strands inspired by the era of the first RMS Queen Elizabeth, such as country house parties, Ivor Novello style piano evenings, and period dancing, from traditional ballroom to the jitterbug and the jive, all within the setting of this 21sticentury ship.

As a successor to the MV Queen Elizabeth 2, this new ship will also reflect this great liner through artworks and memorabilia, and she will have her very own “Yacht Club.”

The Yacht Club on the all new MV Queen Elizabeth

Key public areas will include:

The Queens Room, which will have a new take on the traditional Cunard ballroom, with artwork depicting views from royal palaces, along with its 1000-square foot dance floor, for grand balls and tea dances at sea.

The Garden Lounge, with its magnificent vaulted glass ceiling creating a conservatory feel inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens, and Supper Clubs mixing dining with dancing under the stars.

The Games Deck which will offer, croquet, paddle tennis and traditional British bowls, celebrating the oldest surviving bowls green in Cunard’s homeport of Southampton.

The art deco style Britannia Restaurant, with its unique and elegant sweeping staircase, where ladies can create an enviable grand entrance.

The Britannia Club for single seating dining for those in the top balcony staterooms.

The Midships Bar, paying homage to her namesake liner, the first Queen Elizabeth, with memorabilia displayed from that era.

The ship will also feature the line’s celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, with its al fresco dining option on an exclusive deck terrace, beautiful restaurants, Grills Lounge and sunbathing deck.

Announcing the new addition, Cunard President and Managing Director Carol Marlow said that there had been an “Elizabeth” in the Cunard fleet for more than 70 years. “This beautiful modern day celebration of our past ‘Elizabeth’s’ will ensure this proud tradition will continue far into this century,”

Carol Marlow said the introduction of the ship was particularly noteworthy as, following the withdrawal from service of QE2 last year; it would mark a return to Cunard enjoying three Queens in service together, a first established during 2008, after the launch of Queen Victoria. But now, all three ships would offer the benefits of modern design and state of the art technology.

*Please note: This is something I have to say as a maritime historian, having been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and have co-owned a cruise company. The media release provided to me and all travel agents and the media continues to use the word “liner.” However, today there are no liners, for this word is something from the past, for a liner is a ship that is permanently, or at least the vast majority of the year, placed on a “Line Voyage” from one port to another, for example, Southampton to New York and back, or Southampton to Australia, with port of call on the way, and back, etc. Today’s ships are ALL cruise ships and are floating hotels and spend their time cruising the world. Although the Queen Mary 2, and possibly the new Queen Elizabeth may operate the occasional series of Trans Atlantic cruises, that does NOT classify them as “liners.” Sadly the modern executives are not from the shipping industry and are mostly sourced from marketing, banking and the hotel industry, thus have little knowledge of the shipping industry. Whilst captains, officer’s, and senior crew on the many ships have a laugh at their land locked superiors and as one of Cunard’s most famous Captains told me “the new breed’s lack of maritime knowledge.” Sorry but I had to make it clear!

Enter our new MV Queen Elizabeth feature

For Information and Reservations contact:

“The Cruise Specialists”

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

Email: 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

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

A New Gem bound for New Zealand and Australia

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

In past years P&O Cruises Australia has named their new ships Pacific Sky, Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and Pacific Dawn. However with the arrival of two new ships due in December 2009 and one in 2010, P&O Cruises has decided to change direction and use names that reflect the Jewels that await us in our own magical tropical region and those that are to be found on their superb new ships!

In December 2009 the third ship of the Australian P&O fleet was officially named Pacific Jewel. In addition P&O announced the name of their forth gem in their ever growing fleet and she will be the - Pacific Pearl.

This superb 63,500-tonne cruise ship (built as Star Princess, later she became known to many Australians as P&O UK’s Arcadia) will join the cruise line in 2010. Her itineraries are currently being finalised with cruises set to go on sale from March this year.

Pacific Pearl will be P&O Cruises’ fourth ship, sailing alongside their two existing ships, the 70,000-tonne Pacific Dawn and the 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun which is being first being relocated to Fremantle, as well as the 70,000-tonne Pacific Jewel due in December.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said. “We wanted to choose a name for our next ship that reflected the magic of cruising the waters of the South Pacific,” - “It was a difficult decision but we chose Pacific Pearl as the name of our next superliner because it evokes these wonderful and tropical images of the places we visit.” - “Pearls are such beautiful jewels and are also synonymous with Australia and this region so it seemed a good fit for this next step in the growth of our business.” - “We know Pacific Pearl, along with her sister Pacific Jewel, will prove winners with Australians and New Zealanders alike given their superb features and their great size.”

Presently this ship is sailing as Ocean Village in the UK, and the Pacific Pearl will undergo an extensive refurbishment before she is deployed to Australia.

Pacific Pearl will accommodate around 2,000 passengers and offer a wide range of features including multiple swimming pools, restaurants and lounges, as well as private balcony cabins.

Ships History: This superb ship was built in France in 1989 for Sitmar Cruises and was to named Fairmajesty, however, prior to her completion, Princess Cruises acquired Sitmar, and the ship was completed and named Star Princess.

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

Author’s private collection

After a successful cruise career in the USA, Carnival Plc transferred her to P&O UK in 1997, and she was duly was renamed Arcadia, in memory of another much loved P&O liner which ended her long career in 1979. This new Arcadia was given a muli million-dollar refit prior entering service in her new role, taking British passengers to the Caribbean, Europe, and for the annual around the world cruise. The author joined her, whilst she was on her maiden around the world voyage in 1998.

P&O UK’s MV Arcadia seen in Sydney’s Darling Harbour No 10 - 24 February 1998

However, in May 2003, P&O Princess Cruises transferred the Arcadia to a new Carnival Plc brand name, “Ocean Village Cruises” and after a refit she was renamed Ocean Village and she has served under that name until she will head Downunder in 2010.

Photographs from the P&O UK MV Arcadia days

We need to understand that she will look quite different inside by the time she arrives here, for she will be a much better ship!

The Atrium – Info Deck - lower level left, Lounge & Dance floor –center

Patisserie - lower level right, Lounge & Bar - middle left & shopping galleries

My favourite room onboard - the circular Horizon Court lounge

and Show Lounge at the top, forward of the ship

The Buffet

Pool Deck – Here we see the aft pool, there is another pool forward with a swim up bar pool

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: 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

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

Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?

The author is celebrating 50 years in the Passenger Shipping Industry in 2010

Return to - Cruise-Australia - INDEX

Cruise-Australia.net

Classic Liner enthusiasts visit

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Where the ships of the past make history & the MV Doulos Site

Please Note:

Photographs on cruise-australia.net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!