Thursday 29 May 2014

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

Jam-packed Update Today’s issue of TD Cruise Update features three pages of all the latest cruise information.

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APT expedition ambitionsAPT would quadruple its fleet

of expedition vessels if the company’s owner and director Geoff McGeary had his way.

“We’ve been buying up Renaissance ships, we own two at the moment, but we’d love to own all eight,” he said.

Asked by TD Cruise Update if a third purchase was imminent, to add to its collection of the MS Caledonian Sky and Island Sky, McGeary said: “We hope to own more.”

The industry veteran, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List this year, explained that expansion in expedition cruising was a slow process.

“Growth will always be constrained, as there are a lot of

inhibiting factors, and it can never compete with large ship pricing,” he said.

“It will always be a boutique market segment, I don’t believe there will ever be growth like in river cruising,” he added.

McGeary said the benefit of expedition cruising over traditional river cruising was the greater potential for new itineraries in different destinations.

“You are more likely to see growth in expedition cruise routes [than rivers],” he added.

APT started offering expedition cruises last year after it acquired a near-50% stake in UK cruise company Noble Caledonia, which owns and operates two small ships and charters five others.

MEANWHILE, APT has provided TD Cruise Update with the first look at its latest television advertising campaign, which hits free-to-air TV channels this Sun.

The campaign focuses on river cruising in Europe, and proactively includes a call to action for pax to book through a travel agent.

Exclusive APT inclusions as well as exciting destinations visited will heavily feature in the campaign - to view the latest ad, CLICK HERE.

Emerald Star launchWEEKs after the launch of its

first ship - Emerald Sky - new river cruise line Emerald Waterways has launched operations of its identical sister ship Emerald Star.

Like its sister, Star carries 182 guests in 92 berths, two of which have been specially designed for occupancy by solo travellers.

In addition, the line has released a new 360° virtual tour of the ship, offering a look at all of the onboard facilities and features.

Emerald Waterways is on sale in Australia exclusively through wholesaler Evergreen Tours.

CCL Mexican sailingsCARNIvAL Cruise Lines will

begin year-round Mexican Riviera cruises aboard Carnival Miracle, departing Long Beach, from Oct, while Carnival Legend will be sent to Alaska from May 2015 after its inaugural Australasian season.

Clean VAN paymentsCRuIsE retailer Clean Cruising

has advised it has adopted eNett VAN (Virtual Account Number) payment technology for cruise bookings.

VANs are a payment method offered by eNett, which works as a 16-digit Mastercard number valid for a single transaction only.

Clean Cruising general manager and director Dan Russell said the decision comes due to a need to find efficiencies in the firm’s work processes to increase productivity in the ever-growing cruise sector.

Astor riding the railsCRuIsE & Maritime Voyages

has expanded its itinerary range in Australia with the launch of a combined rail/cruise product including a journey on The Ghan.

The operators of Astor, which arrives for its second season from Fremantle on 13 Dec, are selling a 15-night Indian Ocean Rail & Sail itinerary which sees passengers board the Astor in Darwin.

Departing 14 Feb 2015, pax will first fly from Perth to Adelaide, join The Ghan on its trip to the NT capital before embarking on a 10-night cruise back to Fremantle.

The trip is priced from $4,489pp twin share, on sale until 30 Jun.

Alternatively, an 18-night holiday incorporating a cruise from Perth to Sydney and the Indian Pacific train back to the WA capital is priced from $4,903ppts - more details at www.cmvaustralia.com.

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

Thursday 29 May 2014

Source market data IN TWO weeks time, CLIA will be releasing data on Australian cruise passenger trends from 2013 and this will be followed by the release of NZ passenger data a couple of weeks later. For many of you, statistics and graphs can be very boring, but if your business mix includes cruise (a sector of the travel industry that is showing no signs of slowing down), then I encourage you to pay special attention to some of the data. This report is the most reliable source of information that you can use in benchmarking your cruise business against industry growth and trends. The data we release will look at the number of cruise passengers from this market, where, when and for how long they are cruising, passenger origin (by state), booking lead times and age demographics. A highlight of the report in past years has been growth and market penetration comparisons we do against other key source markets around the world – fun when you’re leading the way! Cruise line executives are very quick to look at the market (or population) penetration in different countries. This is the number of cruise passengers divided by the population. This is a very reassuring indicator that will have a bearing on plans for future deployment, knowing that the market continues to grow.

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Seaside promenade on MSCFuTuRIsTIC elements of design

including a sea-level promenade have been factored into designs of two new giant 5,300-passenger “megaships” ordered late last week by MSC Cruises.

Dubbed “Seaside”, the prototype presents other features such as a terraced balcony and panoramic lifts with ocean views.

The sea-level promenade wraps around the sides of the ship with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants.

The new ships will also incorporate technology that reduces fuel consumption by 25%, as well as advanced safety systems “that go beyond what is required by international regulation”, the company said.

The agreement with Italian ship-building company Fincantieri for an additional two €700 million ships, with an option for a third, is worth €2.1 billion ($3.2b) with deliveries expected in Nov 2017 and May 2018.

Measuring 323 metres long by 41 metres wide, with a height of 70 metres, each new ship will have a gross tonnage of 154,000 and offer 2,070 cabins.

Fincantieri has also begun work on “stretching” MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia to add 200 cabins.

Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand, said this latest order was

further proof of the cruise line’s positive steps towards capturing a larger share of the growing global cruise market.

“This comes as exciting news not only for us but for our Australian and New Zealand customers - we are entering a new era in cruising,” she said.

Executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the new ships would be “revolutionary in their structure, unlike anything that exists on the market today.

“Seaside is a futuristic prototype because of its structure, shape and versatility,” Vago added.

The deal follows MSC’s recent order of two even larger ships of 5,700-pax each from STX France (CU 25 Mar), with deliveries of those coming in 2017 and 2019.

The four additions will see the line double its capacity by 2022.

MEANWHILE, savings of up to 75% in MSC Cruises’ Grand May Sale remain available until this coming Sat when the sale closes.

The line says the promotion has been a resounding success, with the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and the longer Grand Voyages proving the most popular among customers.

“This will be the last chance to book 2014 summer European cruises at bargain prices,” MSC Australia md Lynne Clark said.

Phone 1300 028 502 to book.

Independence seizedAN uNPAID bill for pilot fees

in Norway briefly saw Royal Caribbean International’s ship Independence of the Seas seized by tax authorities during a recent visit to the Baltic country.

The 150,000 tonne vessel was prevented from leaving the port of Alesund by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, who were claiming the payment of a bill of 600,000 kroner (AU$108,801) which was due the previous Oct.

Royal Caribbean acted quickly on learning of the impoundment, paying the bill within an hour, with the ship subsequently freed and departing as per schedule.

Authorities in Norway say more seizures could not be ruled out as it seeks to recover other overdue bills from cruise lines.

Mary Reibey sets sailA sECOND ‘new-generation’

Rocket catamaran vessel has been inaugurated into the Sydney Harbour fleet of Captain Cook Cruises, with the line yesterday launching the Mary Reibey.

The 24-metre cruiser comes at a cost of $2.6m and joins its sister, the Elizabeth Cook, in the fleet.

Featuring capacity for 116 pax in the main cabin and an additional 31 seats on an outside deck, the Mary Reibey boasts an eco-friendly and fuel efficient design.

A further two boats similar in design have been ordered by Captain Cook Cruises and will be delivered in Jun and Dec this year.

Thursday 29 May 2014

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

P O R T H O L E

HERE’s an innovative idea for a cruise competition.

In collaboration with a local radio station, Carnival Cruise Lines in the US recently asked office workers in Houston, Texas to send in a photo of the team all ready for their next holiday.

The grand prize up for grabs was for the entire office of up to 100 people to ditch work for the day & enjoy a day on one of its Galveston-based vessels during a turnaround day.

Workers will be able to spend the day riding the waterslide, swim and wander the decks, also enjoying cocktails and food from the bars and eateries.

By all accounts, entries were quite diverse, with photos of teams in boardrooms dressed in boardshorts, team selfies in sunglasses and more.

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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Liverpool ceremonyCuNARD vessel Queen Victoria

will tomorrow make its first overnight stop in its “spiritual” UK home of Liverpool in nearly 50 years for a special ceremony.

The call will coincide with 100th anniversary celebrations of the inaugural departure of Aquitania, one of the longest serving Cunard vessels in the line’s history.

Activities surrounding the event will include a performance by a local opera star as well as a civic reception and dinner onboard.

Aquitania was the only major cruise liner to serve in both World Wars and served 36 years in the Cunard fleet before being retired and scrapped in 1950.

Spirit-ed mix of Carnival Legends

ALREADy the Number 1 ranked ship in the global Carnival Cruise Lines fleet, Carnival Spirit is firmly established as a favourite among the Australian cruising market.

Carnival Cruise Lines yesterday kicked off its 2015/16 season in Australia, hosting a gathering at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Sydney attended by some of its BDM team from around Australia.

Itineraries for the new season go on sale in POLAR from 05 Jun, with Carnival Legend confirmed to return for a second season in the Australasia and Pacific region.

Together, the two ships will offer 143 separate departures during the season, the most ever offered in Australasia by Carnival Cruise Lines, more than 40% up on what is on sale in the 2014/15 season.

“The reality is, we’ve kind of worked out something that really works,” Carnival Cruise Lines vice-president Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke said, thrilled at Legend’s return for a second year.

Repositioning cruises from Hawaii to Sydney and return for

Legend will also be on sale in POLAR, while Travel the World will sell additional sectors between Hawaii and Vancouver.

New for 2015/16 will see Spirit allow passengers to start or finish a repositioning cruise in Brisbane (CU 08 May) when it will head to Singapore, via Lombok & Bali, for scheduled drydock maintenance before returning to Australia.

In addition to the South Pacific, Carnival Spirit will also offer special cruises for the Emirates Melbourne Cup in 2015 and 2016, including entry to Flemington.

Vandekreeke said the visits to Brisbane and Melbourne would allow travel agents in both cities to tour the ship to view facilities.

Further departures to Tasmania, operated by both Spirit & Legend also form part of the schedule.

Cruise fares start from $649pp for a three night adventure.

Pictured above at the 2015/16 season launch from left is Jennifer Vandekreeke, Anton Loeb, Lance Dye, Sissel Way, Shane Gibbons and Mark Richards.

Aussie cook on AquaAusTRALIAN Michelin-starred

chef David Thompson has been recruited by Aqua Expeditions as the executive chef aboard its new Aqua Mekong river cruise vessel, which will launch on 30 Sep.

Aqua Mekong is the line’s first foray into Asia from its Amazon heartland and will offer three, four and seven night cruises, with Thompson to design menus and oversee sourcing of ingredients.

Costa world voyageForTy-EighT destinations in

18 countries will be visited by Costa Atlantica as part of Costa Cruises’ maiden world cruise departing from Asia next year.

The 2,680-passenger vessel will leave Shanghai on 01 Mar 2015 for an 86-day circumnavigation.

After leaving Hong Kong, the vessel heads to Vietnam, through Sri Lanka and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea.

After crossing the Atlantic and visiting the Caribbean, California will be the final stop before the ship returns to China on 26 May.

TUI takes 1st newbuildgErMAn line TUI Cruises has

taken delivery of its first newbuild ship - Mein Schiff 3 - from STX Finland Oy’s Turku Shipyard.

The vessel offers 1,253 cabins and will begin operations on 13 Jun with its maiden voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca.

TUI Cruises will take delivery of its next vessel - Mein Schiff 4 - in the 2015 northern spring.