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Tuesday 09 October 2012

TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of CW features four pages ofthe latest cruise news, plus a full page fromCruise Select detailing three of its Europeanriver cruise packages (p5). Plus see p6 for details of American QueenSteamboat Company’s Elvis & The Mississippi20-day coach and river cruise.

Oceania adds Blue loyalty OCEANIA Cruises has added a new BlueMembership level for guests which will allowthem to earn rewards as quickly as their firstcruise. The cruise company has also beefed-up itsloyalty program with added complimentary airdeviation fee waivers, as well as substantialsavings on internet, shore excursions, beveragepackages and logo merchandise. Current benefits include on-board OceaniaClub cocktail receptions and member-only offers.

Celebrity gets behind its own FOUR Celebrity Cruises employees who haveeach been touched by breast cancer are set tobecome the Godmothers of CelebrityReflection: Jovanka Goronjic, Megan Mathie,Helen O'Connell and Rosey Rodriguez. Both Goronjic and Mathie work onboard thecruise line’s ships, in the AquaSpa and HotGlass Show respectively, with Goronjic havinghelped her mother through breast cancer andMathie currently supporting her sister andmother through the illness. Meanwhile O'Connell manages CommunityRelations for Celebrity and came throughbreast cancer in 2009, whilst Rodriguez ismanager of the company's Special Events teamand on 08 June of this year, was diagnosedwith stage-3 breast cancer. “The breast cancer cause is one we'veadopted across the Celebrity brand, and onewith deep meaning for each of these womenand their four predecessors,” said Richard Fain,Chairman of Celebrity Cruises. “These ladies are not only inspiring in theirprofessional lives, but in their personal lives, aswell, with each of them devoted to their ownand our company's interest in doing all we canto find a cure for breast cancer,” he added. Celebrity has been linked with the breastcancer cause since 2008 when it held an eventonboard Celebrity Solstice to raise funds forbreast cancer screenings for low-income women,and is now an official corporate partner of TheBreast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Get your boogie on GUESTS cruising onboard Crystal Serenity’s31 March 2013 Big Band and Ballroom Dancevoyage will have three times the opportunityto break out their dance moves, with CrystalCruises committing to triple the number of itsAmbassador Host dance partners, from thenormal four aboard every sailing, to 12. The voyage will also feature double the usualamount of dance instructors as well as therenowned 17+piece Glenn Miller Orchestra. Spanning 10-days, the voyage will soft shoeshuffle out of Miami on 31 March, and willcruise to Lisbon. “Big Band and Ballroom Dance is hotter thanever now, and our music cruises are always amongour most popular voyages, packed with fun,”said Bret Bullock, Crystal’s VP of entertainment.

Fred improves ticketing FRED Olsen Cruise Lines is improving itsguest experience with a change to its e-tickets. The e-tickets, issued to guests, will nowfeature detailed information on check-in timesand the departure terminal for each cruise, aswell as information on the dress codes forindividual voyages, how many ‘Formal Nights’they can expect, and which specific ‘ThemedNights’ will be taking place, whether‘International’, ‘Nautical’ or ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’.

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Inclusions: Return Airfares - 4 To 5 Star Quality Accommodation - Most Meals - Sightseeing - Evening

Entertainment - English Speaking Guide - Travel Kit - Visa For Australian Passport Holders - Taxes

Conditions: Prices are per person twin share ex. SYD, MEL, BNE, ADL, PER & includes taxes and fuel surcharges, valid for departures from Oct’12 – Jun’13, seasonal surcharge apply. Please check with Helen Wong’s Tours for exact departure dates. Prices & taxes are current at time of brochure printing 15 Sep ‘11. and are subject to availability and change without notice at time of booking. All other conditions as per Helen Wong’s Tours current brochure range. 3146 Lic.No.2TA4103

2012-13 summer season starts Friday!The first international shiparrives in Australia this week,launching Australia’s biggestrecord-breaking wave season. ROYAL Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas isdue to dock at Sydney’s Overseas PassengerTerminal at 6am on Friday 12 October, markingthe beginning of an exciting “wave season” inAustralia. The six-month schedule includes many newships – the largest, the newest and the mostluxurious ever – calling Australia home. Royal Caribbean Cruises will carry more than200,000 passengers on four vessels, includingthe two biggest cruise ships ever based inAustralia –Voyager of the Seas and CelebritySolstice – plus a brief visit by Celebrity Millennium. RCCL’s Australia and New ZealandCommercial Director, Adam Armstrong, saidVoyager and Solstice would “revolutionise thecruising landscape as we introduce a size andcalibre of superliners previously onlyexperienced overseas”. Carnival Australia will have 19 ships carrying

325,000 passengers and making 310 calls toAustralian ports. A record 14 of those ships will be based inAustralian waters for all or some of the 2012-13 season, with a further five ships visiting aspart of their world voyages. Highlights include the local debut of CarnivalSpirit, maiden calls by Holland America’sOosterdam and Seabourn Quest, and thereturn of Queen Mary 2 for its inauguralcircumnavigation of New Zealand. Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry saidpassenger numbers were expected to increaseby 5% on last year. “We’ll be visiting more Australian ports thanever before, with 27 different towns and citiesset to welcome our ships over the comingmonths,” she said.

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Tuesday 09 October 2012

CruiseCalendar

Cruise Weekly’s cruise calendar detailsupcoming port calls of passenger cruiseships at various destinations in Australia.

BRISBANERadiance of the Seas Sun 14 OctPacific Dawn Mon 15 Oct

SYDNEYDawn Princess Wed 10 OctRadiance of the Seas Fri 12 OctRhapsody of the Seas Sun 14 Oct

This weekly column highlights hot deals oncruises departing soon – ideal for ourspontaneous readers.Check out this week’s cruise bargain:

Six-night Melbourne Cup Sydneyroundtrip onboard Pacific Jewel

• From: $1,329pp (Inside Cabin)• Departs: 03 November 2012• Visits: Sydney, Melbourne• Includes: Six-nights cruising, all

entertainment and onboard meals, andentry into the Melbourne Cup.

• Contact: ecruising.travel

Last MinuteDeals

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SITTING on the top deck of Captain CookCruises’ MV Sydney 2000 sipping champagneand eating canapés as Sydney Harbour beginsto dress her dark waters in evening finery oflights and stars, it is easy to understand whythe company’s Gold Dinner Cruise is such astrong drawcard for tourists and locals alike. Cruise Weekly recently had the opportunityto experience the exclusive voyage, whichdeparts seven evenings a week at 7pm fromCircular Quay and 7.30pm from King Street Wharf. The evening’s festivities kicked off withpriority boarding at 6.30pm, followed by awelcome reception on Sydney 2000’s top deck. After departure, guests were moved into theupperdeck restaurant for a luxuriant six coursedegustation menu accompanied by matchingwines, and the smooth sounds of a pianist. Once seated it was hard not to get caughtslack jaw gazing out the panoramic windows atthe twinkling lights, mannerly mansions, secretsandy beaches, city scapes and rough hewn bushcovered contours that make up the border ofSydney before she plunges into the harbour. The next two and a half hours of the voyageCW spent filling up with course after course offine food, served by Captain Cook’s friendlywait staff, with dishes including pan friedscallop with pickled seaweed, seared tuna

wasabi soya mirin with salmon pearls; andduck confit pumpkin gnocchi; as well as searedaged beef fillet sauteed peas and pancetta,caramelized onion, veal jus and desire potatoes. Each course was accompanied by a wineselected specially to accompany the dish, andjust when it seemed a physical impossibility toeat or drink anything more, the evening wascapped off with an espresso coffee to wakenwine lulled minds, before Sydney 2000 pulledup her pew and deposited guests back into thethrong of Sydney’s nightlife. The voyage is priced from $219 including abar package and $199 without the bar, whilstguests can also pay an extra $25 to ensurethey are given a window table. For more details visit www.captaincook.com.au.

CAIRNSOceanic Discoverer Tue 09 Oct

Captain Cook Cruises paints the harbour gold

Canapés on Sydney 2000’s top deck

SeaDream coming soon to AustralasiaLuxury mega-yacht SeaDream IIwill spend six months in Asia,Northern Territory andQueensland, from October 2013. ONE of the world’s most exclusive and award-winning vessels, the 100-passenger SeaDream II,is heading to Asia and Australia for the first timeafter completing next year’s Mediterraneanseason. SeaDream Yacht Club has announced fulldetails of the new program, which starts withthe ‘Passage to the Far East’ from Athens toMumbai on 12 October 2013. The yacht then sets sail for Singapore viaColombo (Sri Lanka) and Phuket (Thailand),offering 18 Asian itineraries until April 2014. SeaDream II makes its maiden call inAustralia, arriving in Darwin on 25 January2014, halfway through a voyage from Bali toCairns (18 January – 1 February). Other ports of call on the 15-night cruiseinclude Indonesia’s Satonde Island, Komodo

Island, Larantuka, Kupang and Dili (Timor-Leste),and after Darwin, it visits Seven Spirit Bay, CapeYork, Lizard Island, Low Island, Port Douglasand Cairns. The next 14-night sailing, departing fromCairns on 1 February, returns to Bali via fiveports in Papua New Guinea and threeIndonesian islands. President of SeaDream, Bob Lepisto, toldCruise Weekly he was “thrilled” with the newitineraries, which have already opened forbookings to past passengers and travel agents. “We are venturing off to Asia and NorthernAustralia based on the interests of our loyalguests and our sincere feeling that theseunique new voyages will also be very attractiveto new guests. Lepisto is confident that one-third of guestswill be Australians. “Our loyal guests from Australia do a greatjob in telling not only their travel agents howmuch they enjoy the casually elegant mega-yacht voyage experience on SeaDream, butalso their friends and relatives. “In the past, during this time of year ourAustralian guests would have to fly all the wayto the Caribbean or the Amazon to sail with us,but now we will be far closer and in someincredibly interesting small ports.” All-inclusive fares start at US$9,999pp twin-share (plus port and handling fees) includingopen bar, room service, gratuities, watersports from the onboard marina and “shoreside casuals” activities with the crew. For details, see www.seadream.com.

AUCKLANDSea Princess Thu 11 Oct

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Tuesday 09 October 2012

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COSTA COMP

MSC keep Valencia CF MSC Cruises has announced it will continueas a sponsor of the Spanish soccer clubValencia CF until 2014 (the next two La Ligaseasons). The sponsorship deal means that MSC’s logowill feature on the players left sleeves. “This renewal once again reinforces ourcommitment to the sport and one of the bestfootball teams in the Spanish league,” saidMSC Cruises CE Emiliano Gonzalez. “MSC Cruises has always been closely linkedwith Valencia, as a major shipping port inSpain,” he added.

Royal Caribbean 2013/14 ROYAL Caribbean Cruises has released itsnew Worldwide Cruises 2013-14 brochure,featuring several new itineraries, as well as anin-depth look at Australasia’s largestmegaliner, Voyager of the Seas. Highlights also include a first-look at Barbieas she joins the award-winning AdventureOcean Youth Program (available on all ships asof March 2013). See your local travel agent to grab a copy.

Sojourn around the world SEABOURN Sojourn will take guests on a 116-day world cruise in 2014, encompassingdestinations such as Hawaii, the South Pacificand Indonesia through to India and theMediterranean. All up the voyage will stop at 53 ports across20 countries, departing LA on 04 January 2014and concluding in Venice on 01 May. Highlights of the adventure include the firstever Sojourn world-cruise stops at Bunbury,Geraldton and Exmouth in Western Australia,as well as Geelong in Victoria, and Penneshawon Kangaroo Island. Sojourn will also overnight in many of theworld’s greatest cities, such as Honolulu,Sydney, Hong Kong and Mumbai. Rates for the full 116-day world cruise beginat A$50,499 per person including a range ofextras such as a pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyageevent and luxury overnight stay in Los Angeles. Shorter segments ranging from 22 to 94 daysare also available, with rates starting atA$11,699 per person based on doubleoccupancy, including air and certaincomplimentary amenities. See your travel agent for details.

DONT play with sharks! A British photographer, David Caravias,has learned not to play with sharks whilston a cruise off the coast of South Africa. Caravias was taking photos of a 16-footgreat white shark whilst also dangling a pieceof tuna over and in the water thenwithdrawing it before the shark could eat it. Moments later the shark burst out of thewater and towards Caravias, who only justmanaged to get out of the way. “The shark must have come only an inchfrom us and I was convinced we weregoners,” he said. “This was a complete freak incident but itdefinitely puts you in yourplace, it shows you cannotget complacent with thesharks,” he added.

Caravias’ pic of the cranky shark

A 7 NIGHT

COSTA CRUISE FOR 2!

Over part of September and October, Cruise Weekly is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a 7 night cruise, courtesy of Costa Cruises. This amazing prize is valued at over $4,000 and includes a 7 night cruise on board Costa Victoria from Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand in an Ocean-view Premium twin cabin.

Costa Cruises has been operating for over 60 years and offers the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine. Relax in the sun, shop up a storm in designer fashion boutiques, or be treated to exclusive entertainment, including the world’s most renowned Michael Jackson impersonator!

To win this dream holiday, send in the most creative response in 50 words or less to the question below.

Why do you want to win this dream holiday on Costa Cruises?Email your answer to costa@cruiseweekly.com.au Visit www.costacruises.com.au for more info.

Click here for Terms and Conditions

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Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation ofCruise Weekly no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.

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Hollidays on Holland America

Christmas shopping and shippingby: Louise Goldsbury

Nuremberg's famous markets

Tuesday 09 October 2012

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Vienna, Austria, in December

’Tis the season to book your Christmas cruise, whether jetting off tothe European markets or taking the family on a local getaway – includinggetting away from the cooking and cleaning. During the festive season, ships are decorated, choirs sing carols, Santahands out presents, and special shows and entertainment are staged. Of course, there is always an outstanding Christmas Day dinner withturkey and all the trimmings, served by the waiting staff in style, as wellas lunches, brunches, high teas and theme parties. Most Christmas cruises also hold religious services at sea. If the voyage extends to New Year, expect a big party with live musicand a champagne countdown. Often overlooked are the shopping benefits of cruises at this time ofyear. If sailing in international waters, the ship’s duty-free stores are stockedwith jewellery, perfume, aftershave, bottles of spirits and other greatgift ideas. Items twin shared in US dollars are even better value for Australians. On river cruises, the central activity is shopping at the outdoorChristmas markets in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France andSwitzerland. “Only in Europe can you get those centuries-old charming Christmasmarkets complete with all the trinkets, trimmings and regale,” saysAvalon Waterways’ Christian Schweitzer. “I’ve encountered a number of Australians that have taken these cruisesin early December, having stocked up on gifts and goodies from theChristmas markets, and returned home in time for Christmas.” River vessels also turn on the celebrations, from free Christmasconcerts, to serving hot Glühwein to passengers at the end of a winter’sday. But time is running out for these popular experiences, with most

sailings sold out. Following are a few festive options, with limited availability.

Voyager of the SeasSydney-New Zealand-SydneyDeparts: 22 December – 14 nightsTwin share: from $1,475ppCall: 1800 754 500Carnival SpiritSydney-South Pacific-SydneyDeparts: 16 December – 11 nightsTwin share: from $1,178 per personCall: 1300 385 625Princess Cruises’ Sea PrincessSydney-New Zealand-SydneyDeparts: 16 December – 14 nightsTwin share: from $1,699 per personCall: 13 24 88

European riversAPT – AmaverdeDanube: Amsterdam to BudapestDeparts: 7 December – 14 nightsTwin share: from $6,545ppCall: 1800 290 8687Viking River CruisesParis to Normandy; Budapest to Nuremberg; Passau to Budapest; orAmsterdam to BaselTwin share: from $3,024ppCall: 1800 829 138

P&O’s Pacific PearlSydney roundtrip to Pacific IslandsDeparts: 17 December – 10 nightsTwin share: $1,291ppCall: 1300 159 454HAL’s OosterdamSydney-New Zealand-SydneyDeparts: 19 December – 14 nightsTwin share: from $2,199ppCall: 1300 987 321Seabourn OdysseyBali to SydneyDeparts: 11 December – 16 nightsTwin share: from US$7,330ppCall: 13 24 02

Uniworld Boutique River CruisesRhine: Basel to CologneDeparts: 2 December – 7 nightsTwin share: from $2,895ppCall: 1300 780 231

*CONDITIONS APPLY. AGENTS MAY CHARGE SERVICE FEES AND/OR FEES FOR CARD PAYMENTS WHICH VARY.

River Cruise Holidays

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from $3745*

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INCLUDES 7 night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard Queen Isabel

CLICK HERE FOR FLYERCruise departs 07 Nov 13. Offer ends 31 Oct 12, unless sold out prior.

PORTUGAL, SPAIN & THE DOURO RIVER VALLEY 11 days from Lisbon to Porto

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from $7230*

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INCLUDES 14 night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard River Ambassador

CLICK HERE FOR FLYERCruise departs 15 Sep 13. Offer ends 31 Oct 12, unless sold out prior.

GRAND DANUBE & PRAGUE 17 days from Belgrade to Prague

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CLICK HERE FOR FLYERCruise departs 10 Nov 13. Offer ends 31 Oct 12, unless sold out prior.

SPLENDOURS OF ITALY 13 days from Venice to Rome

PAY IN FULL AT THE TIME OF BOOKING AND

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2013 EUROPE & RUSSIA BROCHURE OUT

HURRY! AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED. OTHER DEPARTURE DATES APPLY.

ELVIS & THE MISSISSIPPI20 DAY COACH AND RIVER CRUISE THROUGH

THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTH

20 DAYS FROM

AU $7,990*PPINCLUDING FLIGHTS

If you’re an Elvis fan or if you love rock‘n’roll, country blues or dixieland jazz, then this incredible journey through the

Great American South will be music to your ears

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS