Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 1

Tuesday 25 September 2012

TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of Cruise Weekly features fivepages of the latest cruise news, plus a fullpage from Voyages of Discovery detailing the2013 programs on mv Voyager.

CRUISE Weekly would like to welcomeour Expert for the month of September,Aleisha Fittler, Scenic Tours GeneralManager of Product for Europe and Canada.Every week we will be calling for questionsfrom our readers which we will pass on forAleisha to answer. So if you have a burningriver cruise question, be sure to email it tous at expert@cruiseweekly.com.au. For Aleisha’s answers click on theFacebook link at the end of each questionor visit facebook.com/cruiseweekly.

Q1 from Margo Johnson:Do Scenic ships carry bikes. And if so howmany are onboard and do you have toreserve them?

Q2 from Sebastian Armstrong:Are there kid friendly itineraries withScenic? Also, are there adult onlyitineraries?

Email your questions for Aleisha toexpert@cruiseweekly.com.au

Voyager 2013 program VOYAGES of Discovery has launched the 2013itineraries of its mv Voyager which will see thevessel return after a major refurbishment. Destinations on offer include the Baltic,British Isles, Ireland and France along with theMediterranean, with the 550 passenger vesselmaintaining the philosophy of a “small shipcruising experience”. For more info see the last page of CW today.

ExceptionalInternationally acclaimed, unlike anything else at sea

SALE EXTENDED on all worldwide cruises!

Not only will the projectproceed, says the mayor, thecity may end up with two orthree cruise ship terminals. MAYOR Tom Tate has no doubt in his mind:cruising is coming to the Gold Coast. In an interview with Cruise Weekly, Tateconfirmed that the plan to build cruise shipfacilities on Wavebreak Islandwas “full steam ahead”,despite the withdrawal of aSingaporean developer. According to media reportson the weekend, Sembawangscrapped its bid for the $4.9billion “super resort” onWavebreak Island, which wasproposed to include twocruise ship terminals (aspictured at right), but Tateclarified that the project wasyet to go out to internationaltender. “Just because Sembawang pulled out doesn’tmean it’s all over,” the mayor said. “The race hasn’t even started – we’re writingthe tender documentation now and willhopefully have it out by the end of the year. “My prediction is we’ll have ten serioustenderers and it will definitely go ahead.” Tate also suggested that another cruise shipterminal could be built at a second location onThe Spit. “Wavebreak is one option but it may takeuntil 2018 and I don’t want to wait that long,so I’m also planning a cheaper option, justnorth of SeaWorld Nara, which is very doable,”he said. “One terminal could be used for ‘boutique’small ships and we could have the megalinersat the other one.” The proposed Gold Coast terminal, orterminals, would be used for transit not

Gold Coast cruise terminal to go aheadturnarounds, meaning cruises would not startor finish in the city. “We don’t want to be a home port as theinfrastructure is too expensive and we’re notgoing to be competing with Brisbane,” Tate said. Meanwhile, Carnival Australia CEO AnnSherry has advised that the Gold Coast wouldbe added to several of its itineraries if aterminal was ready by September 2015 andthe dredging was sufficient.

“It’s still early days, but based on theassurances of the Mayor, we are consideringthe Gold Coast for both our local fleet and theinternational brands that visit each year,”Sherry said. A Carnival Australia spokesperson also toldCruise Weekly that it was providing Gold CoastCouncil with operational details for the P&OCruises fleet, Diamond Princess and QueenMary 2, “so that the ships can be put througha simulator activity to ensure the Gold Coastchannel can accommodate them”.

New chief for Princess PRINCESS Cruises’ new Commercial Directorfor Australia has officially taken the reins, withAlan Stuart to be based at the CarnivalAustralia offices in Sydney. He replaces Stan Birge, who has returned tothe USA to take up the new position of VicePresident North America for Cunard Line.

Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 2

Tuesday 25 September 2012

CruiseCalendar

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

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International cruise lineexecutives are inspectingthe nation’s key ports thisweek to help decide whereto send ships in the future. FOR the first time, Tourism Australia, Qantasand Cruise Down Under (CDU) have joinedforces to showcase the highlights of everystate to cruising’s major decision-makers. The contingent includes senior US and UKrepresentatives from Silversea, Seabourn,Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean,Celebrity Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines,Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania/PrestigeHoldings. One year in the planning, the concept of alarge-scale group familiarisation trip toAustralia was first floated at the CruiseShipping Miami conference.

Cruise VIPs visit Australian ports CDU chairman Chris White told CruiseWeekly they invited the world’s mostinfluential executives who are responsible fordeployment and itinerary decisions. “They jumped at the idea of coming toAustralia,” she said. “Our over-riding objective is to bring morecruise ships to Australia and to ensure thatthose ships call at both existing and new portsand destinations.” The week-long event commenced on Sundaywith a lunch hosted by Sydney Ports, followedby an evening cocktail function at the ParkHyatt, which was also attended by Minister forTourism Martin Ferguson. The group has since fanned out acrosscountry on separate tours of port facilities,shore excursions and pre- and post-cruisetouring opportunities. White said it was “quite a logistical exercise”to host the eight executives. “CDU partnered with Tourism Australia andQantas and it is this strong relationship thathas enabled the eight individually tailoreditineraries to be developed. “The State and Territory tourismorganisations have been fantastic as they puttogether amazing itineraries to demonstratethe very best Australia has to offer.” The “cruise VIPs” will return home thisweekend, White said.

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

17-night Mediterranean to Red SeaOdyssey Fly-Cruise package

• From: $3,835pp• Departs: 26 October 2012• Visits: Venice, Santorini, Athens,

Montenegro, Turkey, Suez Canal, Egyptand much more.

• Includes: All meals and entertainmenton board, Captain’s cocktail party andgala dinner, port charges, servicecharges, airport and fuel taxes, andreturn economy airfares with Emirates.

• Contact: www.msccruises.com.au

Last MinuteDeals

Royal Caribbean Internationalto drop Dubai cruises ROYAL Caribbean has confirmed that it willsuspend its operations in Dubai after theupcoming 2012/13 winter season which is tobe operated by Serenade of the Seas. According to a report in cruise industrymagazine Seatrade Cruise Review, the companywill also modify its Serenade season to ashorter series of 11 seven-night voyages fromDubai to Fujairah, Muscat and Abu Dhabi, withthe season commencing 28 Jan 2013. Serenade is due for a makeover after itsDubai deployment, and will then beredeployed to New Orleans for the followingwinter season 2013/14. Royal Caribbean International’s regionaldirector, Helen Beck, said the move followedsliding demand for the Dubai cruises. “We were initially very pleased with thebusiness development there and expectedcontinued growth; however the demand hasdeclined in recent seasons and as a result wehave had to make some difficult decisions,driven by strategic and financialconsiderations, about discontinuing ourprogram there,” she was quoted as saying. Brilliance of the Seas, which is being replacedin Dubai for the upcoming season, hasoperated in Dubai since 2008/09 and last yearcarried around 40,000 passengers during itsMiddle East deployment.

Arison to speak at WTM CARNIVAL Corporation ceo Micky Arison hasbeen confirmed as making a rare publicappearance at the upcoming World TravelMarket which takes place in London in earlyNovember this year. He’ll take part in a Cruise Debate lookingback at the tumultuous events of 2012.

Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 3

Tuesday 25 September 2012

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COSTA COMP

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Moorings price promise LUXURY yacht charter specialist TheMoorings has announced a new Price Promiseprogram, under which it undertakes that if thecost of a customers’ sail, power or luxuryprivate cruise charter decrease in price at anytime up to 30 days before departure they willbe reimbursed with benefits equal in value. Benefits on offer include water toys, foodand beverage options or yacht upgrades, withthe move aiming to encourage cruisers to booktheir voyages early. The Price Promise coincides with the launchof The Moorings 2013 holiday brochures,which also allow flexible charter dates underwhich customers can make changes to theirreservation up to 90 days prior to departurewith no amendment fees.

Industry announces more safety action THE global cruise industry has announcedthe adoption of another safety policy,addressing issues relating to the loading oflifeboats by crew members. US peak body Cruise Lines InternationalAssociation, and the European Cruise Council,said the new policy exceeds internationalregulatory requirements, and is an outcome ofthe Cruise Industry Operational Safety Reviewwhich was introduced in January this yearfollowing the Costa Concordia disaster. The Life Boat Loading for Training Purposespolicy ensures that crew members are fullyconversant with lifeboat operations, requiringthe launching and full loading of a lifeboat atleast once every six months for crew training. During the training exercise the lifeboat is tobe filled to capacity with crew members andmaneuvered in the water “to facilitatefamiliarisation with lifeboat operations”.

CLIA and the ECC said it was mandatory thatall crew members involved in operating orloading of lifeboats attend the drill. “The cruise industry continues to work on aglobal level to improve the safety of passengersand crew, which is our number one priority,”said Christine Duffy, President and ceo of CLIA. “Since January of this year, and in keepingwith our efforts to continuously improveoperational excellence, the global cruiseindustry has voluntarily adopted seven wide-ranging safety policies. “We remain fully committed to exploringfurther enhancements in a number of areasthat will add to the industry’s excellent safetyrecord,” she added. MEANWHILE Carnival Corporation hasappointed Tom Strang as senior vice presidentof maritime development and compliance,covering safety operations for the CostaCruises,AIDA and Iberocruceros brands.

Cruising with the Ambassador RUSSIAN Travel Centre is promoting a specialvoyage on the Lower Volga in September nextyear, featuring Tony Brenton as guest lecturer. Passengers will be able to gain uniqueinsights into Russia and its relationships withthe West, because Brenton was Britain’sAmbassador to Russia from 2004-2008. His presentations willl include unique insiderknowledge of Russian politics, as well as detailsof the country’s unique history and culture. The 100-passenger Volga Dream will journeydown the Volga River for 13 days, taking inexotic locations such as Kazan (the capital ofthe Tatarstan Republic), the Space Museum inSamara, Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) andAstrakhan with the fortress of Ivan the Terrible. For more information call 1300 668 844 orsee www.eetbtravel.com.

CRUISERS wanting a really uniqueexperience should consider getting intoposition to view the upcoming Total SolarEclipse, which will only be visible in its fullglory from off the Queensland coast. The Great Barrier Reef is the place to befrom 5.45am to 7.40am on Wed 14November when the dawn will becompletely obscured during the eclipse. Fortunately, the Whitsundays luxurymotor yacht DescaradA 2 is still available forbooking on that date - so be quick and call02 9699 2214 or see descarada.com.au.

SOCIAL media is everywhere - and you can’teven escape it on a cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line is promoting aspecial “social media cruise” - naturallyusing the Twitter hashtag #SeaTweetup. Major sponsors of activities during theCaribbean voyage include the BahamasMinistry of tourism (@VisitTheBahamas),beer supplier Miller Coors (@MillerCoors),and the Epic Kimpton Hotel in Miami(@KimptonInFl). Fortunately #SeaTweetup passengers willalso receive free internet minutes while onboard, courtesy of Norwegian and MTNSatellite Communications.

Thieving cruiser walks plank ROYAL Caribbean kicked a passenger off anExplorer of the Seas cruise in Bermuda after headmitted to stealing more than $2500 worth ofspa products. Bermuda’s Royal Gazette newspaper said theman had only boarded the ship two daysearlier, and had pinched the items when hewas left unsupervised in the spa for a periodafter a massage with his wife. Apparently the passenger also stole anonboard Sea Pass card from one of his fellowcruisers,which he used to purchase colognefrom an on-board boutique. Police boarded the ship when it arrived inBermuda and searched the man’s cabin, wherethe stolen items were discovered. At a court hearing the man’s lawyerexplained that he had an “impulse controldisorder” which gave him the urge to steal.

Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 4

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Did YouKnow?

Evergreen Tours♦ Evergreen Tours has been operating for over 32 years and has toured over 60,000 travellers.

♦ The average age of an Evergreen Tours traveller is 59 years old.

♦ On an Evergreen Tours river cruise the company uses 6kgs of coffee every morning as well as 1300 eggs per week.

♦ An estimated 90 postcards are sold in the boutique shop per cruise.

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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

Bad report for Veendam HOLLAND America Line’s ms Veendam failedits most recent vessel sanitation inspectionconducted by the US Centers for DiseaseControl and Inspection. Veendam scored 77 out of 100 during theannual surprise examination, with a score of86 considered as a passing grade. The report, now available on thewww.cdc.gov website, cites a range ofinfractions including a number of refrigeratorsand dishwashers needing repair, a cook withfacial hair doing food preparation withoutwearing a beard restraint, and some issuesrelating to food storage. The 1350 passenger ship has passed each ofits previous 32 tests, receiving a score of 93 onits most recent examination in April this year. Holland America said the score “resultedlargely from one area of the ship’s overalloperation. “All the issues raised in the report wereimmediately addresed and have now beencorrected,” the company said. “We have also ensured that our managementand training practices in this area have beenrefocused to ensure continued success,” theformal statement added.

Titanic result for Belfast THE Belfast Harbour Authority has proventhat “it’s an ill wind that blows nobody anygood,” after a huge year of Titanic-relatedtourism, a century after the original disaster. A record of almost 80,000 passengers andcrew on board 44 cruise ships have visited theNorthern Ireland port this year. A key drawcard has been the Titanic Belfastattraction which opened on 31 March.

Prime position for the Captain CAPTAIN Cook Cruises is offering a specialNew Years Eve cruise on Sydney Harbour, withits MV Captain Cook III one of an exclusivegroup of vessels to be given an ideal spot toview the NSW capital’s famous fireworks. The deal is priced at $890 per personincluding a seafood buffet, open bar of still andsparkling wine and a DJ, but if you book nowyou can make a big saving via an earlybird offerof $699pp - 20% off. The prime location is the result of the shipbeing selected as one of the Ten Best DressedVessels for the 2012 Harbour of Light Paradeby Sydney City Council - captaincook.com.au.

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Book for Europe now TRAVELMARVEL is reminding prospectiveEuropean river cruisers for 2013 that 30November is the booking deadline for the freereturn air fares deal on its voyages betweenAmsterdam and Budapest next year. The deal applies to nine itineraries includinga range of small group land extensions to Italy,Croatia, France, Switzerland and more. A 15-day Classical Europe cruise starts at$6190 - more info from your travel agent.

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Cruise Weekly is Australia’s favourite online cruising publication.In production since 2007, Cruise Weekly is published each Tuesday,with a further travel industry update each Thursday.Cruise Weekly is free and is sent to subscribers via email as an AdobeAcrobat PDF document.Sign up for a free subscription at www.cruiseweekly.com.au.PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710Phone: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221

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.

Publisher/Managing Editor: Bruce PiperEditor: Louise GoldsburyAssistant Editor: Amanda CollinsContributors: Roderick Eime and ChantelLongEmail: info@cruiseweekly.com.au

Advertising and Marketing: Magda Herdzik,Lisa Martin and Christie-Lee LachanceEmail: advertising@cruiseweekly.com.auBusiness Manager: Jenny PiperEmail: accounts@traveldaily.com.au

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App, app and sail away!by: Louise Goldsbury

Tuesday 25 September 2012

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Got an iPhone or iPad? Load it up with these handy apps, which I’ve hand-picked especially for cruisers from Australia and New Zealand.

Marine: Australia & New Zealand ($15.99)Contains the largest database of marine points of interest and allkinds of technical information about cruising destinations: vectorcharts, tides, currents, wind, sun/moon cycle, and thousands of geo-referenced magazine articles and cruising guides from publicationsaround the globe. Arriving at a new location? Tap “Nearby” to learn more from theexperts who’ve been there. Also allows route planning, tracking,waypoints and markers, so you can analyse details such as estimatedtime of arrival. Then share your routes and geo-tagged photos onFacebook, Twitter or email. New content is available every day – payonce to have it fresh forever.

Berlitz Cruise Ships 2013 ($10.49)The latest Berlitz bible is out now, two weeks before the bookversion hits the shelves, packed full of reviews, ratings and statisticsof 284 cruise ships. It also features the six new ships debuting nextyear and a wider range of expedition vessels. The app allows you toquickly narrow down your cruise ship search by preference, and findout which ships are best for families, mature couples, solo travellersand explorers. Also contains a lot of practical advice and very frankanswers to frequently asked questions.

Cruise Tycoon ($1.99)Ever wondered what it would be like to run your own cruise line? Thisgame lets you can create new routes and sailing schedules, buy newships and employ new crew. Have fun building your empire!

Cruise Countdown (free)If you’re one of those very excitable travellers who counts down thedays until your next cruise, this ticker takes it to a whole new level,counting down the minutes and seconds! Just enter your cruise code and it works out the timingautomaticallY. Also includes maps of each deck on your ship, a day-by-day itinerary, and plenty of other information and photos. Best of all, it’s compatible with all the major locally based cruiselines.

Cruise Cam ($1.99)Updated last month, this is an amazing collection of cameras onships and in ports around the world. Look up your favourite destination to see a webcam image of theharbour, or check out where your favourite ship is sailing today. Watch vessels pass through the Panama Canal or see which ship isdocked at your local terminal, without having to leave your house. The pictures are static, but still fascinating.

Cruise Card Control ($1.99)Designed to save you money on board your ship, this app allows youto create categories and keep track of how much you spend oneverything from cocktails to shore excursions. And because it functions independently of your mobile and datanetwork, you can use it without racking up a big phone bill. Handy for checking that your account is correct at the end of thecruise, or to simply avoid ‘bill shock’. Also includes a countdown clock.

DISCOVER ThE DIFFERENCE

After undergoing a major refurbishment in 2012, step aboard the mv Voyager in 2013 and uncover a wealth of fascinating destinations and a wide variety of enticing itineraries to the Baltic, British Isles, Ireland & France

plus the Mediterranean. mv Voyager has maintained the philosophy of a small ship cruising experience of just 550 like-minded passengers along with impeccable service, multiple dining options, and renowned Guest

Speaker program, offering a very style of cruising unique to Voyages of Discovery.

For more information contact your Travel Agent or call 02 9959 1381 | www.voyagesofdiscovery.com

NEW 2013 VOYAGER PROGRAM

mv VOYAGER 2013 CRUISE COLLECTION

BROChURE – Out NOw!

A WORLD OF NEW DISCOVERIES

BRITISh ISLES AND ThE ChELSEA FLOWER ShOWPortsmouth to Portsmouth11 nights departing 14 May 2013

From $2,275 Per Person, twin Share*

* terms and conditions – Fares listed are in AUD, per person twin share based on Inside Cabins as at 18 September 2012 and include non-commissionable port taxes, government fees and gratuities. Subject to availability, are capacity controlled and can be withdrawn without prior notice. Full details can be found in Voyages of Discovery 2013 Cruise Collection brochure.

• Smaller ship - 650 passengers not 5,000

• Comprehensive programme of informative talks by port lecturers and guest speakers

• Not a casino in sight

• We don’t just visit the mainstream ports we also visit smaller ‘off the beaten track’ destinations

• We stay in a destination longer. So you see more and have more time to explore

• No hidden extras. All gratuities and service charges included

MEDITERRANEAN MEDLEYMarseille to Dubrovnik

14 nights departing 12 September 2013

From $2,605 Per Person, twin Share*

ThE LEGENDARY BLACk SEAIstanbul to Istanbul

13 nights departing 8 October 2013

From $3,000 Per Person, twin Share*