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

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Tuesday 03 July 2012
TODAYS ISSUE OF CW
TODAYS issue of CW features four pages of
all the latest cruise news.
Pacific Sun sets off on final cruise
One of Australias most
significant ships has departed
on its last voyage for P&O
before moving on to a new
life in China.
A SMALL crowd gathered in Brisbane on
Sunday to bid bon voyage to the Pacific Sun,
affectionately known for many years as
Australias favourite cruise ship.
It was a sombre sailaway with some of her
fans lining the river to wave goodbye Im told
there were a few tears, a spokesperson for
P&O Australia told CW.
Its fair to say that Pacific
Sun introduced thousands
of Australians to cruising
She was at the core of the
resurgence in cruising in
Australia.
In the eight years that
Pacific Sun sailed under the
P&O brand, Australian
cruising experienced
double-digit annual growth.
Since 2004, the 47,000-tonne ship carried
more than half a million passengers on 332
cruises, primarily around the South Pacific.
Over the past two weeks P&O Australia fans
on Facebook have posted comments and
reminisced about memories of fun on the Sun.
A group of cruise enthusiasts also set up a
separate farewell page and are posting
updates live from onboard the final seven-
night Pacific Island cruise.
The 26-year-old ship was sold earlier this
year as part of Carnival Australias continuing
program of fleet renewal.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, said
Pacific Sun had been enormously popular.
When Pacific Sun joined our fleet eight
years ago, Carnival Australia had two ships
based in Australia and now we have seven, so
she has certainly played a role in that growth.
The 723-cabin vessel, built in Sweden in
1986, was first named Jubilee and sailed for
US-based Carnival Cruise Lines in the
Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska.
Mystery surrounds the new unidentified
owners, but according to unconfirmed
rumours, the ship may be converted into a
floating casino in China.
Yangzte Wonders
25 Years experience
Exciting new itineraries
Helens Choice Bonuses
No Hidden Extras
Intimate group sizes
Call 1300 788 328 or visit helenwongstours.com
Shanghai
Yichang
Yangtze River
Chongqing
Xian
Beijing
Shanghai
Beijing
15 Days from $4450
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 Apr12 Nov12, seasonal surcharge
apply. Please check with Helen Wongs 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 Wongs Tours current brochure range. 3146 Lic.No.2TA4103
Scenic extends Alaska
SCENIC Tours has expanded its Alaskan
cruise/tour offerings with the addition of new
destinations, Kenai Peninsula and Copper
River, as part of the new 28-day Rockies,
Voyage of the Glaciers, Kenai Peninsula & the
Arctic Circle tour.
Priced from $14,295 per person twin share,
the trip includes 20 nights on land plus a 7
night Alaskan cruise, and bookings made by 19
October will also enjoy free return flights to
Canada for the second person travelling.
Details www.scenictours.com.au.
Ita talks the Tauck
MEDIA
personality Ita
Buttrose was
last Fri officially
introduced as
the new
ambassador for
Tauck in
Australia.
Buttrose has
been enlisted by
Taucks local
representative,
Travel The
World, to
further build
the brands
profile after five years of strong growth in the
local market.
Tauck has been on offer locally for 25 years
and is going from strength to strength, with a
new locally produced brochure customised to
Australian tastes.
Tours on offer include a wide range of luxury
trips including river cruises - and a growing
area of interest for Aussies is solo travellers.
Tauck this month announced the removal of
single supplements for Category 1 cabins on
each of its more than 100 2013 European river
cruise departures.
Tauck ceo Dan Mahar said that the company
aims to look after all of the smallest details,
meaning everything is taken care of for those
who are travelling alone.
And of course, theres a cameraderie and
connection with their fellow travellers, plus a
great sense of security, that solo travellers
dont get to enjoy on their own.
Finally, because our riverboats hold just 118
guests, they offer a refined, club-like
atmosphere thats very intimate and
welcoming for anyone travelling on their own.
Other recent initiatives include Time on
Tauck which offers complimentary luxury pre
and post tour accommodation on all trips.
As for Ita, shes thrilled to be representing
the brand, while Travel The Worlds sales and
marketing manager Michelle Taylor says
Buttrose is a perfect fit because just like Tauck
she is sophisticated, elegant and inspiring.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 2
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Tuesday 03 July 2012
Cruise
Calendar
Cruise Weeklys cruise calendar details
upcoming port calls of passenger cruise
ships at various destinations in Australia.
BRISBANE
Pacific Dawn Sat 07 July
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ON SELECT 2013 DEPARTURES

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SYDNEY
Pacific Jewel Thu 05 July
Uniworld opens Asia 2013 bookings
After a sellout season this year,
Uniworld is celebrating with big
discounts on Mekong and
Yangtze river cruises next year.
UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruise Collection
is offering savings of up to $1300 per couple
for Asia holidays paid in full at the time of
booking before 30 September 2012.
Also available are early booking discounts of
up to $650 per couple for bookings made and
deposited before 31 October 2012.
Launching its new 2013 Asia River Cruises and
Tours brochure today, the company also
unveiled a new itinerary: the 10-day
Impressions of China & the Yangtze.
This cruise-tour, which includes a four-night
cruise on the Yangtze River and five nights in
luxury hotels in Shanghai and Beijing, is in
addition to its four existing itineraries, which
will next year be operated on three new ships,
as announced last month (CW, 06 June).
In China, Uniworld passengers will sail on the
five-star Century Legend or Century Paragon
and receive exclusive VIP benefits.
In Vietnam and Cambodia, passengers will
cruise aboard the 60-passenger River Saigon,
which debuted this year, and the newly built
River Orchid, launching next year.
Both vessels will offer the 15-day Timeless
Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & Mekong
between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, priced
from $4,851 per person twin-share.
The new Impressions of China & the Yangtze
is priced from $3,530 per person twin-share.
Uniworlds key hotels include the Ritz-Carlton
Beijing; Four Points by Sheraton, Lhasa; Park
Hyatt Saigon; Intercontinental Hotel and
Resorts Hanoi Westlake; and the Victoria
Angkor Resort & Spa, Cambodia.
Uniworld general manager, John Molinaro,
said the company had been amazed at its
success in Asia this year, with the new program
hoped to meet phenomenal demand.
For details and to order a brochure, see your
friendly travel agent or visit Uniworld online at
www.uniworldcruises.com.au.
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Breakaway revelations
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line has revealed more
about the offerings on board its new
Norwegian Breakaway which is scheduled to
debut in New York next May.
Innovations include a special seafood eatery
courtesy of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian,
who features on cable television channel the
Food Network.
Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian will be a
luxury seafood dining experience and will be
one of more than a dozen eateries onboard.
Norwegian has also announced details of the
entertainment offerings on Breakaway which
will include the Tony Award-nominated Rock of
Ages which will play in its 800-seat theatre.
Also appearing will be Broadway dance-fest
Burn the Floor, and another offering will be the
circus-inspired Cirque Dreams & Dinner -
Jungle Fantasy in the Spiegel Tent which will
take place in a speciallly built onboard tent.
Breakaway will feature an outdoor
Waterfront precinct facing the ocean on both
sides of deck 8, as well as new cabin designs,
larger childrens areas and a restaurant, bar,
gaming and entertainment precinct called 678
Ocean Place spanning decks 6, 7 and 8.
SeaDream definitely Kosher
JEWISH guests cruising onboard either of
SeaDream Yacht Clubs boutique vessels in the
Caribbean season can now dine on the finest
Glatt-Kosher cuisine, prepared under strict
rabbinical supervision under a new partnership
with US kosher consultant, Jon Greenseid.
SeaDreams 112-passenger vessels will cruise
in the Caribbean from Oct 2012-Apr 2013.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 3
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Tuesday 03 July 2012
3 2 5 7 + 2 / (
This weekly column highlights hot deals on
cruises departing soon ideal for our
spontaneous readers.
Check out this weeks cruise bargain:
Dawn Princess Sydney to Beijing -
30 nights departing soon!
From: $4,309pp
Departs: 27 July 2012
Visits: Darwin, Singapore, Koh Samui,
Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Shanghai & more
Includes: One-way flight from Beijing to
Sydney via Hong Kong, 25 nights on
board, 3 nights in Beijing and 2 nights at
the Hong Kong Marco Polo Hotel.
Contact: www.ecruising.travel
Last Minute
Deals
A HOLLAND America cruise liner operating
a specialist all-gay European voyage was
forced to inform its 2,100 passengers that a
previously confirmed visit to Casablanca, in
the strict Muslim nation of Morocco, had
to be cancelled.
According to tweets sent to media
organisations by passengers, the official
message the liner was taking was that Our
port agent in Casablanca has advised
us that authorities in Morocco have, despite
previous confirmations, now denied our
scheduled visit.
For all of us, this is a very disappointing
development...it was ultimately the
decision by local authorities in Morocco
that has necessitated us to adjust our plans.
The planned visit to Morocco would have
been the only non-European port of call
for a voyage which departed from Barcelona
for a week-long sailing with mostly
American and European passengers aboard.
However, Moroccos Tourism Minister
Lahcen Haddad said no official decision to
ban the ship from visiting the nation had
been taken, and when quizzed about
whether the vessel could still visit Morocco,
replied if the organisers want to.
Crystal prepares for its big reveal
The culmination of an in-depth
five-year redesign plan, Crystal
Cruises is set to debut its
revamped Crystal Symphony
superliner.
A VARIETY of modifications have been made
to the vessel as part of a US$15-million
drydock revitalisation project.
Among said improvements include the fine
wine bars Avenue Saloon & Palm Court Lounge.
Located at the top of the vessel, the Palm
Court Lounge offers panoramic views and
oozes with a charm synonymous with the
golden-age of Hollywood yesteryear, while
maintaining its contemporary wow factor.
Avenue Saloon will take on the look of a 19th
century Gentlemens Club, with a modern
colour scheme and updated furnishings.
The modified ship will also feature a new
galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge
Lounge, and to satisfy the younger cruisers
with a new kids club entitled Fantasia and
activities for teens in the Waves area.
Another part of the ship subject to the wield
of the renovators axe has been the ships fleet
of shuttle vessels used to transport guests to
ports unable to accommodate the entire ship,
such as islands and ports with smaller docks.
Crystal Cruises president Gregg Michel said
the painstaking effort put into the design had
paid dividends as it met the groups focus on a
contemporary look yet with a classic style.
The ultimate result is all our guests
favourite gathering places now feeling even
more welcoming, while also offering the stylish
sophistication and comfortable elegance
luxury travellers look for in a holiday setting,
and expect from Crystal, Michel said.
Pacific Dawn tips seven series
SAILING from its home port of Brisbane this
past weekend on a seven-night Pacific Islands
roundtrip cruise, P&Os Pacific Dawn vessel
carried a special message for the Qld Maroons
ahead of the deciding State of Origin match
against New South Wales tomorrow night.
Draped with a colossal 24m x 5m banner on
her bow simply reading GO MAROONS.
Passengers onboard will not miss a moment
of the big game, with the newly installed big
screen set to screen the clash during the first
port of call in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
The broadcast is in line with P&O securing
the international rights to live NRL matches
while at sea, including the Origin series.
The Pacific Dawn is pictured below.
QE2 future finally holds water
AFTER three months sitting in Dubais Port
Rashid, the famous Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise
liner will be converted into a floating hotel.
According to a statement issued by its
current owners Istithmar World, the completed
hotel will feature 300 rooms and is scheduled
to open in approx 18 months.
The statement indicates the current owners
plan to keep QE2 in Dubai permanently.
Hurtigruten for singles
NORWEGIAN coastal cruise operator
Hurtigruten is offering special fares for singles,
with no supplements to be charge for solo
travellers on selected departures this winter.
The special offer is valid on some dates
between Oct and Dec 2012 on the 12-day
Classic Round Voyage, the 11-day Norwegian
Discovery Voyage as well as the six and seven
day Classic Voyages (north and south).
The supplement-free savings represent
reductions of up to 484pp on the brochure
price and is applicable on bookings made
before 31 Dec 2012.
Hurtigruten said the winter sailings provide
excellent opportunites to see the Northern
Lights, with solar activity this winter expected
to be extremely high.
More information on 1800 OCEANS.
A Regent Christmas/New Year?
REGENT Seven Seas Cruises is offering up to
28 free shore excursions and a free three-night
either pre or post cruise land program on its
21-night Christmas and New Year Seven Sea
Voyager cruise between Bali and Auckland.
The voyage departs 19 Dec 2012 and cruises
the coast of Australia and NZ, with prices from
US$8999pp - details on 1800 251 174.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au Page 4
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Tuesday 03 July 2012
Follow us on:
Just one click away from
keeping up to date with all the
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hand...
Cruise Weekly is Australias favourite online cruising publication.
In production since 2007, Cruise Weekly is published each Tuesday,
with a further travel industry update each Thursday.
Cruise Weekly is free and is sent to subscribers via email as an Adobe
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Sign up for a free subscription at www.cruiseweekly.com.au.
PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710
Phone: 1300 799 220 Fax: 1300 799 221
Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of
Cruise Weekly no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.
Publisher/Managing Editor: Bruce Piper
Editor: Louise Goldsbury
Assistant Editor: Amanda Collins
Contributors: Roderick Eime and Chantel
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4RAVEL$AILY
First with the news
What does this button do? Behind the bingo! Preparing the pastries
GONE are the days when passengers could easily meet the captain
and check out the view from the ships bridge. Now, only river vessels
and some small ships have an open bridge policy.
But of course, you can still get behind-the-scenes of a superliner if
you are willing to pay for it!
On most tours, you will visit the bridge, galley (kitchen), food
preparation areas, laundry, engine control room and backstage of
the theatre, and may also receive souvenir photos, branded gifts,
drinks and snacks.
Group numbers are strictly limited (usually less than 16 people), so
its essential to book as soon as you get onboard. Ship tours cannot
be booked before boarding.
Princess Cruises
The three-hour Ultimate Ship Tour (US$150) explores the engine
control room, medical centre, laundry, photo laboratory, print shop,
and the bridge and command centre, where you meet the captain
and enjoy special refreshments while enjoying the view.
Participants also receive a variety of themed mementos at many
other stops along the route. The tour is available on all Princess ships
except for Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess.
Celebrity Cruises
The See How Its Done Tour (US$150) explores the main areas,
mooring deck and crew gym, and is followed by a wine-paired lunch,
hosted by an officer, in the dining room.
A special one-hour Bridge Sail Away Experience (US$75) allows
passengers to join the navigational team on the bridge as the ship
departs from the port.
Royal Caribbean
The All Access Tour (US$150) has been offered on Royal
Caribbean ships since July 2011. Over 3.5 hours, it is available once
on cruises of six nights or less, and at least twice on longer cruises.
Holland America Line
HALs three-hour tours (US$150) are very thorough. On my tour of
Zuiderdam, we spent almost half an hour asking the engineers
questions and even went behind the bingo screen while a game was
in action. Free walks through the galley are also sometimes offered.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Behind the Fun is offered across the Carnival fleet, incl Carnival
Spirit. The difference with this 3.5-hour tour (US$95 but price yet to
be confirmed on Carnival Spirit in Australia) is that it spends more
time in the crew areas (galley, mess, gym and training centre).
Participants get to meet the captain, chief engineer and head chef.
P&O Australia
The Chefs Table experience ($75) includes pre-dinner cocktails,
with an introduction by the executive chef, and a tour of the galley.
A seven-course degustation, matched with wines, is then served in
the private wine room within the ships Waterfront Restaurant.
Up to three Chefs Table dinners, for 14 passengers, are available
per voyage on Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel.
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL has two-hour (US$55) or seven-hour tours (US$150). The all-
day onboard excursion adds a sushi-making demonstration, sake-
tasting, coffee, pre-dinner cocktails, and dinner with a glass of wine
in Cagneys Steakhouse. Tours are offered once per cruise.
How to get behind the scenes
by: Louise Goldsbury