Tuesday 25 March 2014

Travel Daily Cruise Update | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au/cruisePage 1

Three pages of CU Today’s issue of TD Cruise Update features three pages of all the latest cruise information plus a full page hotel special from The Hotel Connection.

Our chefs’ world-class credentialsare revealed on every plate.

LEARN MORE >

Spanish cruise accomThe Hotel Connection is today

promoting an exclusive accom package at Barcelona’s Hotel Neri available to the Australian market.

Included in the two-night offer are private transfers, a tasting menu, free wi-fi and much more.

The Relaix & Chateaux property is available to book in agent GDS under the code WB - for more information, see page four.

Earlybirds to RussiaRussian Travel Centre has

released an early bird discount on 2015 prices for the newbuild river vessel MS Volga Dream II.

Clients can save 5% on the 2015 prices by booking and paying a deposit of 30% by 30 Apr 2014.

In peak season, savings will range from $292pp on a deluxe stateroom to $557pp on the luxury Writer’s Suite.

The first brand new Russian river cruise vessel in 25 years will sail between Moscow and St Petersburg, debuting next year.

For info, call 1300 668 844.

Rowley Shoals cruiseexpediTion cruise line True

North will operate three cruises to Rowley Shoals - a series of coral atolls 300km from the Broome coast, renowned for diving.

Three five-night departures will leave on 13, 18 & 24 Sep, priced from $4,995pp - phone North Star on (08) 9192 1829 for details.

APT Anzac availabilityLuxuRy tour operator APT has

advised availability still exists on a 17-day itinerary which will take in the 2015 Anzac Cove Dawn Service from offshore aboard the chartered French yacht Le Soleal.

The tour departs 16 Apr 2015, with pax visiting Athens, sailing the South Mediterranean & taking in a multi-day land tour of Turkey.

A number of APT’s Signature Experiences are also included in the itinerary, with staterooms priced from $19,390ppts and Earlybirds on offer until 15 Apr.

Grand Circle ship buyssmaLL ship river operator

Grand Circle Cruise Lines has acquired its second river vessel in as many days, today announcing its purchase of M/V Corinthian.

The 98-passenger ocean faring vessel will continue to be based in Antarctica, with itineraries operated by Travel Dynamics Int’l.

The latest purchase follows that of the 90-pax River Cloud II vessel, which will be renamed the MS Chanson and deployed to Bordeaux from Mar 2015 to operate 13-day itineraries in the popular French wine region.

Cruiseco Azamara charterazamaRa Club Cruises is in

final negotiations to bring a ship to Australia under a charter with Cruiseco, it has been revealed.

CEO and president of the cruise line Larry Pimentel last night elaborated further on Azamara’s planned intention for Australia (CU Thu) during a media function in Sydney.

Already scheduled for late next year, Azamara Quest will debut in Australian waters during a 14-night Christmas/New Year voyage between Bali and Cairns, which concludes on 05 Jan 2016.

Pimentel said Quest was then likely to remain in local waters throughout Jan and Feb.

From Cairns, Azamara Quest will sail south to Sydney from which it is expected to operate its inaugural circumnavigation of Australia, sold exclusively through cruise consortium Cruiseco.

A second circumnavigation will likely follow, plus a journey to New Zealand marketed through Azamara Club Cruises, Pimentel revealed to TD Cruise Update.

Cruiseco has provided Azamara confidence the charter of the 694-passenger vessel will be no drama to fill, such is the demand for the high-end product, Las Vegas-based Director of Global Charters & Incentive Sales Bruce G. Setloff added.

The decision to deploy a ship in Australia has been in the pipeline

for nearly 18 months and follows a 10-fold jump in bookings from this market in the past 4.5 years, when Azamara first launched.

Azamara was initially dominated by bookings from US clients, but Australia and other international markets are on the rise, he said.

Pimentel said he expects Aussie cruise numbers to surpass the 1 million mark annually by 2016 - in-line with forecasts by Carnival Australia boss Ann Sherry - and believes now is the time to act.

“Destination immersion” will be a key selling point of Azamara’s Australian itineraries.

He said “a lot of new smaller ports competitors were unable to access” would make for a compelling product offering on the 34-night itinerary, however he was candid to disclose specifics.

Quizzed by TDCU on which local ports of call are being assessed, Pimentel was coy.

“We put a lot of effort into deployment and we are copied all the time - which is flattering - but sometimes it is not an advantage,” he remarked.

In terms of fleet expansion, he said it “was fairly logical” to expect a third vessel, but there is currently no plan “as of today”.

Setloff was more forthcoming, saying Azamara was considering both buying & building new ships.

Further news from Azamara in today’s issue of Travel Daily.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Travel Daily Cruise Update | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au/cruisePage 2

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Cruise Calendar

Travel Daily Cruise Update's calendar details upcoming port calls of cruise ships at various destinations around Australia.

MELBOURNEDawn Princess 29 Mar

SydNEyPacific Pearl 25 MarRhapsody of the Seas 28 MarPacific Jewel 28 MarOosterdam 30 MarSun Princess 30 MarPacific Jewel 31 Mar

PORt dOUgLASSun Princess 25 Mar

BRiSBANESea Princess 27 MarPacific Dawn 29 MarRhapsody of the Seas 30 Mar

AUckLANdOosterdam 26 MarRadiance of the Seas 28 Mar

dARwiNOcean Princess 25 Mar

FREMANtLEVoyager of the Seas 27 MarAsuka II 28 MarAstor 28 Mar

wELLiNgtONRadiance of the Seas 25 MarCelebrity Solstice 26 Mar

TIANZ eyes cruising goalsnew Zealand has labelled

cruising as a key contributor to the nation’s overall tourism prospects through to the year 2025 in a new Masterplan released yesterday by the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand.

The document, which highlights the intended direction of tourism and its aspirational revenue goals over the next decade, identified a number of strategic opportunities to benefit more from the industry.

Among the targets is growing Auckland as an exchange hub, with the nation’s largest city also serving as the main international gateway for fly/cruise passengers.

Generating a greater share of the projected increase in cruise ship traffic moving through the new larger Panama Canal lane was also named as a source of potential visitor growth.

According to the Masterplan, this was cited as a roadblock preventing “up to 50% of the world’s cruise fleet from travelling to Oceania for the Southern Hemisphere cruise season”.

The country is also focused on showcasing itself as a viable

off-season alternative for ships operating in Asia, rather than returning to Europe.

“There are good opportunities to position ourselves to benefit even more from this sector,” the document reads.

“With a better understanding of this, we are working with greater cohesion to capitalise on cruise’s future potential”.

Ports in New Zealand appear to be responding to the call, with a variety of development projects in the pipeline including modern terminals & better on-the-ground shore excursion experiences.

CLiCK heRe for the full report.

Bondi agent hosts luxury cruisers

oCeania Cruises took part in a luxury cruising focus evening earlier this month, meeting with a range of prospective and experienced cruising clients.

More than 70 clients attended the function, all interested to hear about the latest news in the cruising sector and keen to scoop

an excellent deal for their next luxury voyage.

The event was hosted by Bondi Junction agency Cruises & Honeymoons.

pictured above at the event from left is Craig Owens, Oceania Cruises with Pauline and Ray from Cruises & Honeymoons.

Cunard’s biggest yearseven new destinations will

make their debut as part of Cunard’s 2015 European season, with details released last week.

Maiden calls will be made to Bodrum, Turkey; Heraklion, Crete; Kotor, Montenegro; Rapallo, Italy; Tangier, Morocco and many more including Sochi, Russia as part of a new series of Black Sea cruises.

The line’s three Queens will visit 96 ports in 35 countries with 24 overnight visits in ports including Monte Carlo, Liverpool, Istanbul, Quebec, St Petersburg and more.

Also, more than 20 transatlantic crossings will be operated by the Queen Mary 2, with more than two per month from May to Oct.

Asia excursion guideTHai-based DMC Destination

Asia has launched an online cruise brochure showcasing its range of shore excursion options, turnaround times, dedicated cruise services and port services in the 11 countries it operates.

The brochure also features the company’s group and private transfer services between hotels, ports and other locations.

CLiCK heRe to view the guide.

Steel cut for EscapeConsTRuCTion has begun

on the first of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ next two Breakaway Class ships, dubbed Norwegian Escape.

The 4,200-passenger vessel is being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and is on track to begin operations from Miami (TD 20 Mar) in Oct 2015.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Travel Daily Cruise Update | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au/cruisePage 3

Travel Daily is Australia’s leading travel industry publication.Produced each weekday since 1994, the newsletter is first with the latest industry news and is available by paid subscription to people within the travel industry. Sign up for a free 14 day trial subscription at www.traveldaily.com.au.postal address: PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Australiastreet address: 4/41 Rawson St, Epping NSW 2121 Australia p: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) F: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769)

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business events news

P O R T H O L E

aNYbOdY in the vicinity of Hamilton Gardens Turtle Lake in Hamilton, New Zealand at 2:30pm today will have a sight to behold as a local farmer attempt to row a 550kg pumpkin across the lake.

Morrinsville farmer Tim Harris will make the attempt - a first for New Zealand - in an effort to generate interest in the 2014 Great Pumpkin Carnival on Sun.

Harris will hollow out his prize Atlantic Giant pumpkin, which he has been growing since Oct, prior to setting off at 3pm.

Apparently, pumpkin racing is quite the craze in the US, with Harris hoping others will join in next year with a view to holding a regatta next year.

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For details call us today:1300 799 220

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Wales cruising boomTouRism in Wales is preparing

for a cruise ship-driven increase in arrivals across its ports in 2014, with estimated figures up 30% on the result of twelve months ago, according to Cruise Wales.

According to Wales Online, the Welsh Government body says it is expecting nearly 38,000 visitors to Welsh shores from cruise ships.

Visits from major liners will include more than 2,000 pax on each of three visits by Celebrity Infinity & 2,600 on Mein Schiff 1.

Officials from the port of Cardiff have announced plans to market the destination to big cruise lines, while smaller ports including Milford Haven are working toward generating funding for new berth facilities to handle larger vessels.

“Cruise tourism can play a central role in regenerating and economically sustaining the cruise ports and their host communities in Wales, particularly Milford Haven, Swansea, Fishguard and Holyhead,” a spokesperson from the Welsh Government said.

Win a Hurtigruten tripTRaveL agents booking any

2014 Classic Hurtigruten voyage through 50 Degrees North before 30 Apr will go into the draw to win one of two free voyages.

Up for grabs is an N-Class cabin on either a seven-day Bergen to Kirkenes cruise or a six-day return trip, both inclusive of Full Board.

The draw for both prizes will take place on 17 May - to see terms & conditions, CLiCK heRe.

Agents send off Queens in style

TRaveL agents across Australia are more familiar with Cunard’s three Queens than ever before, with ten famils conducted aboard the vessels during the recent 2014/15 Australian season.

The season saw three majestic Cunard Queens and P&O Cruises World Cruising’s newly refurbished Arcadia berth at a variety of city and regional ports across Australia at different stages of the summer.

In all, more than 150 agents boarded and enjoyed the array of luxuries, half of which hosted aboard Queen Mary 2 alone, with Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth catering to 50 agents.

All three Queens have now begun the return journey back to home base in the UK, where they will participate in the line’s glittering 175th anniversary celebrations coming up in May.

pictured above during a recent famil aboard QM2, from left in the back row is Ivan Ritani, King William Travel; Jennifer Reeves, Phil Hoffmann Travel Hyde Park; Holly Bilecki, Cathie Rice

Travel; Rachel Homer, Holidays Of Australia; Victoria Newton, RAC Travel West Perth and Julie Ninnis, Holidays for You.

Middle row: Laurel Jones, Denmark Travel; Tracy Patching, Flight Centre Melville; Annemarie Hundhammer, Phil Hoffmann Travel Glenelg; Rebecca Oliver, ET Live and Brenton Reidy, Cunard.

Front row: Dylan Hearne, Cunard; Margaret Stark, Alpha Travel; Kate Mott, Cruiseabout Burnside; Jacalyn Casey, RAC Travel and Ben Walters from Cruiseabout Prospect.

Arabian cruising pactan aLLianCe between tourism

authorities in Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi to develop the cruise industry in the Arabian Peninsula is paying dividends, with Royal Caribbean confirming it will return to the region in 2015-16.

Splendour of the Seas will make multiple calls at Muscat, Khasab, Abu Dhabi and Dubai during the northern winter season.

The Cruise Arabia alliance is made up of Oman Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM in Dubai).

MSC mega ship orderTwo cruise ships with capacity

for up to 5,700 passengers and more than 1,500 crew have been ordered by MSC Cruises on a delivery schedule of 2017 & 2019.

Each of the un-named vessels will be 315-metres in length, built by the STX France shipyard and will facilitate a 31% increase in MSC Cruises’ global capacity.

An option for two more of the ships was included in the order, which if exercised, would take the MSC fleet to a total of 16 vessels.

MSC Cruises ceo Gianni Onorato said the new prototype vessels would “broaden our horizons to ensure we meet the growing global demand in every region”.