Bowls NSW partners with P&O Cruises Australia

Bowls NSW is thrilled to announce P&O Cruises Australia, the nation's favourite home-grown cruise line, as the Official Cruise Partner of Bowls NSW.

P&O Cruises Anchors in Adelaide in Major Economic Boost for South Australia

 

Australia's favourite cruise line, P&O Cruises Australia, is injecting more than $33 million into the South Australian economy as it offers locals a chance to holiday, without taking flight.

While based in Adelaide, P&O's Pacific Explorer is expected to welcome over 26,000 guests across multiple cruises in February and March, and again in December.

P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer Returns to Sydney

P&O Cruises Australia’s flagship, Pacific Explorer, received a spectacular welcome home to Sydney this morning with a ceremonial ‘water cannon salute’ celebrating her arrival – marking the start of the rebuild of the $5 billion a year Australian cruise industry.

Adelaide Cruise Surge

Adelaide Cruise Surge Continues as P&O Cruises Announces Sixth Consecutive Year Home-Porting with Longest Ever Season

P&O Cruises Australia today announced its sixth consecutive year of calling Adelaide home with Pacific Aria to lead the cruise line’s longest ever cruise season in the just released 2021 program.

The new season includes 14 cruises from Adelaide – twice the number offered in 2020 and with three new itinerary types.

The newly announced 65-day season – running from January 30 to April 2, 2021 – means that P&O Cruises will have carried more than 70,000 guests to Australian and international destinations from Adelaide since 2016.

Highlighting its commitment to local cruising, P&O has already based ships in Adelaide over a longer period than any other cruise line.

Features of the new season include two new 10-night Southern Discovery itineraries to Western Australia calling at Albany, Busselton, Fremantle and Esperance.

And for a fun and quick getaway, guests will have an opportunity to relive the decade of big hair, fluoro shirts and electric music during P&O’s popular ‘1980’s Tribute Cruise’ which will sail from Adelaide for the first time.

P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said the bumper 2021 season offered an even greater variety of cruises for South Australian guests.

“In response to local demand, we’ve been committed to basing P&O ships in Adelaide since 2016 and our biggest-ever program reflects the interest in cruise holidays in the state,” Mr Myrmell said.

“We know that more South Australians want to experience a cruise and this is why we have made sure the upcoming season offers a bigger and more varied selection of itineraries that cater for all tastes, interests and budgets from mini-breaks to a longer, relaxing holiday.”

There are plenty of opportunities to get a taste of cruise life with seven Short Breaks including three-night themed itineraries and four-night hops over to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.

Guests looking for a mix of Australia’s top cities and beaches can experience the best of both worlds with a seven-night itinerary calling at Melbourne, Hobart and Kangaroo Island.

In addition to the enhanced variety of cruise itineraries departing from Adelaide in 2021, P&O’s record South Australian season will also contribute an estimated $14 million to the state economy from guest and crew spending, ship supplies and port charges.

Highlights of P&O Cruises’ South Australian 2021 cruise season include:

• New for 2021 – Two 10-night Southern Discovery cruises to Western Australia with calls to Albany, Busselton, Fremantle and Esperance
• New for 2021 – A 1980’s Tribute Cruise with performances from authentic 1980s bands, high-energy tribute acts, specialty parties and screenings of the decade’s best TV shows and films
• Five three-night comedy Short Breaks with performances from top-class comedians
• One seven-night itinerary visiting Melbourne, Hobart and Kangaroo Island
• Four four-night Southern Getaway itineraries stopping at Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island
• One four-night Short Break cruise calling at the city of Melbourne

The 55,820-tonne Pacific Aria makes her maiden 2021 voyage on January 30, 2021, departing on a three-night comedy cruise. Fares start from $429* per person quad share.

For more information visit pocruises.com.au, call 13 24 94 or see a licensed travel agent.

*Subject to availability, conditions apply

Pacific Aria’s drydock and refurbishment

P&O Cruises' Pacific Aria has entered has entered her 12-day dry dock in Singapore and will soon emerge sporting several stylish new touches.

A key highlight of the refurbishment will be the refresh of popular late night hotspot, The Dome, with the venue set to take on a contemporary nautical theme featuring dark navy blue and white hues, drapes and soft lighting. Overlooking the bow of the ship, The Dome is one of the best places to relax during the day.

The makeover will also include new, modernised décor in the kids zones (Turtle Cove, Shark Shack, HQ and HQ+) and a revamp of the ship's 28 suites and 120 balcony cabins to include new carpets and outdoor furniture. In total, 10,528 square metres of new carpet will be laid throughout the ship.

Pacific Aria's finishing touch will be the Southern Cross livery emblazoned on her hull, now a signature feature of P&O's fleet.

The dry dock is the ship's first since she joined the P&O Cruises fleet in November 2015.

Australian Women's Weekly Treasure Hunt Cruise 1970

Our Treasure Hunt Cruise under way

The first of our two 1970 Treasure Hunt Cruises was off to a memorable start with one of the most colorful sailings on record.

CROWDS of relatives and friends farewelled the streamer-decked Orcades out of Sydney Harbor bound for 15 days in the Pacific.

Demand for berths on this cruise was so great that World Travel say they could have filled two ships!
If you missed out, there are still a few berths remain-ing on our second Treasure Hunt Cruise this year.

This cruise leaves Sydney on July 2, calling at Bris-bane, Noumea, Suva, Pago-Pago, and Nuku'alofa, returning to Sydney on July 17.

What better way to spend an annual vacation than to leave the dreary winter weather and spend 15 days soaking up sunshine, lazing on deck, making friends, playing deck sports, dancing far into the night. And, of course, calling at the exotic Pacific islands.

All this costs as little as $289. But you must book soon, as there are only a few berths still available.
As if the cruise itself were not enough: There is "treasure" aboard for a lucky passenger on each of our 1970 cruises.

Each prize is worth $6000
— two tickets on our five-month 1971 World Discovery Tour, plus plenty of spending money.
The winners are presented with their prizes at a costume Pirates' Ball aboard the cruise ships.

Our three new Treasure Hunt Cruises for 1971 will be announced in two weeks.

Watch for the exciting details.

GAY FAREWELL (below) for Sydney passengers Max Bonner, of Fairlight (second from left), and Harry Polley, of Bondi (far right), from Christine A'Bell, of Newport Beach, Annette Thomas, of Pymble, Trevor Crowther, of Fairlight.

ORCADES leaving Sydney on the cruise. The P & O liner will again be our cruise ship in July.

HONEYMOONERS Mr. and Mrs. John Faull, of Ballarat, Victoria, who were passengers on the cruise. Mrs. Faull was Miss Gay Davies, of Ballarat.

VICTORIAN passengers Miss Dot Schmidt, of Geelong, and Miss Gwen Hodgson, of Geelong, on board the Orcades before leaving for the 15-day cruise of the Pacific — to Auckland, Suva, Noumea and Brisbane.

Australian Women's Weekly 15 April 1970

P&O Cruises Named Best Family Cruise Line

P&O Cruises has finished the year on a high with the news that the cruise line has been named Best Family Cruise Line in Cruise Passenger’s annual Readers' Choice Awards.

The nod from Australia’s only dedicated consumer cruise magazine follows another ‘Best Family Cruise Line’ award earlier in the year from the readers of leading family publication - Out & About with Kids.

With shiploads of family friendly innovations on the horizon and family groups making up almost one third of guests, P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was thrilled with the award.

“As the nation’s homegrown cruise line, we’ve been helping Australian families holiday at sea for more than 80 years so it’s really wonderful to hear that we’ve been named as the best family cruise line by Cruise Passenger readers, topping off a big year of family accolades,” Mr Myrmell said.

“Cruising is only going to get more exciting for families in the New Year with the arrival of our first top deck waterparks on our Brisbane-based superliner Pacific Dawn and latest ship Pacific Explorer, which will sail from Sydney from June 2017, as well as Australia’s first virtual reality experience at sea as part of an exclusive partnership with Sony.”

P&O’s five-ship fleet caters to families of all types and sizes with triple, quad and interconnecting cabins; the P&O Edge adventure park at sea offering adrenaline-inducing activities such as rock climbing and zip-lining; kids’ clubs catering to children from the age of two to 17; late-night babysitting and exciting onboard activities from movie-making to Lego.

For more information visit pocruises.com.au

P&O Cruises Australia fleet to grow to six

Princess Cruises vessel to transfer to P&O Australia fleet

Carnival Australia has just announced changes to its Australia-based year-round fleet, which will see Princess Cruises offload its Dawn Princess vessel to P&O Cruises, with the move effective from May 2017.

The 2000-passenger Dawn Princess will become the sixth and largest vessel in the P&O Cruises Australian fleet. The news comes just over a month out from P&O taking delivery of its fourth and fifth ships Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.

P&O Cruises senior vice president Sture Myrmell said Dawn Princess would be reflagged and renovated to take on the P&O product prior to its transfer to the fleet.

"This ship is a great addition to P&O Cruises' fleet, with her larger size opening up opportunities for new onboard product and experiences," he added.

The gap created in the Princess inventory will be filled by Golden Princess (pic above), which will now remain in Australian waters throughout 2017. To make its debut in Australia this summer peak season, based in Melbourne and initially as a seasonal visitor, Golden Princess will join Sea Princess and Sun Princess in the line's locally based fleet on a year-round basis from May 2017.

"One of Golden Princess' key sailings for the year will be a 75-night Circle Pacific itinerary taking holidaymakers on a roundtrip cruise from Australia to Asia, Alaska and America," Princess Cruises senior vice president Australa and New Zealand Stuart Allison said.

More information in today's Cruise Weekly, to be published soon.Source: Cruise Weekly.

P&O Cruises Arcadia

P&O Arcadia in Sydney Harbour (supplied)

Arcadia is a stylish and beautiful cruise ship. Her design is derived from the Holland America Line's "Vista" class cruise ships. She is specifically designed to operate world voyages and offers a contemporary cruise experience and her stylish design, innovation and signature features set her apart.

Arcadia’s contemporary and innovative character is evident from the moment you step on board. Her exterior glass-fronted lifts afford you panoramic views as you glide from deck to deck. Her Arcadian Rhodes restaurant, created by esteemed British chef Gary Rhodes, offers you a matchless dining experience. This venture sees him working with P&O Cruises for the first time to bring his unique brand of modern cuisine to the high seas.

She combines new ideas with cruising tradition. She has a series of signature features including the Crow's Nest observation lounge, the Palladium - a West End style theatre, and a British pub (The Rising Sun). The ship's public rooms, staterooms and 11 passenger decks also display more than 3000 pieces of modern British art, showcasing the work of 50 of this country's most celebrated contemporary artists. Arcadia has also been designed with adults exclusively in mind. She is a child free ship, with families continuing to be catered for by the other ships in the P&O Cruises fleet.
Arcadia also launched P&O Cruises "New Horizons" programme that will take passengers on a voyage of self discovery. This series of talks, demonstrations and practical sessions in the programme is the way to develop new skills while at the same time unwinding and enriching your time on board. The chance for passengers to expand their interests, undertand more of the world and experience a new cultural activity has become a popular element of today's cruise holiday experience and the New Horizons programme takes this into new places in the 21st century.

The ship is the first in the P&O Cruises fleet to be powered by the revolutionary Azipod propulsion system. She has 6 propulsion pods that offer her unrivalled manouverability and renders traditional rudders obsolete.

Design and Construction (2000 - 2005):

She was actually ordered by Holland America Line in 2000 as the planned fifth "Vista" class cruise ship. However in 2003 she was transferred to Cunard Line to become their Queen Victoria. Shortly before her launch it was decided to transfer her to the P&O Cruises fleet and she became Arcadia.

She was built by Fincantieri Shipbuilders S.p.A. at their Marghera shipyard near Venice in Italy. The float out ceremony took place on the 26th June 2004. Playing a key role in the ceremony was Sabrina Dunkerley, a student at the Warsash Maritime Centre and one of the company's youngest cadets. Together with David Dingle, managing director of Carnival UK, she continued the tradition of placing a specially minted coin under the vessel's mast. It is a ceremony that dates back to Roman times and sailors believe that it brings good luck to passengers and crew of a new ship. Then the cadet sent a bottle of champagne crashing against the ship's side, according to Italian custom, as a signal to allow the water to pour into the dry dock and thus floating out the Arcadia. In December 2004 she undertook her sea trials prior to delivery to P&O Cruises. She was delivered to P&O Cruises on the 20th March 2005 at the Marghera shipyard near Venice.

She was named in Southampton in a lavish ceremony on the 29th March 2005 by Dame Kelly Holmes. The introduction of Arcadia signified the next generation of superliners and represents the evolution of P&O Cruises, as a a holiday experience to appeal to the modern day traveller is developed in the early 21st century.

P&O Cruises era (2005 – Present): She then set sail on her maiden voyage on the 14th April 2005 which was a cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean. Since then she has enjoyed a successful career with P&O Cruises and throughout the spring, summer and autumn, Arcadia sails to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. January to March each year sees her undertaking her annual World Cruise, calling at nearly 30 ports of call and taking 90 days to complete.

Today she continues to sail for P&O Cruises and remains a firm favourite with the British cruise market.

by Alex Naughton (originally published at www.poships.co.uk)

History of P&O Oriana

 The Oriana was the first cruise liner purpose built for the British cruise market. She is specifically designed to operate world voyages and embodies the classic lines, comfort and ambiance of the traditional ocean liners of yesteryear. She was the fastest cruise liner built for 25 years and has an operating speed of 24 knots.

Like her predecessor, Oriana celebrates in her name the two great Elizabethan eras. The first Oriana in the P&O fleet entered service in 1960, for Orient Steam Navigation Company, her name connecting Queen Elizabeth I with our own Elizabethan era with Queen Elizabeth II. Early references to the name Oriana appear in 16th century romances where she was a British princess, heroine and poetic huntress. So virtuous was this literary figure that contemporary courtiers chose 'Oriana' as a title to honour Queen Elizabeth I. Today's Oriana honours her namesake predecessor (Oriana built in 1960) and continues to honour in her name the two great Elizabethan eras.

Design and Construction (1995):

She was built by Meyer Werft Ltd, Papenburg, Germany in 1995.
After a lengthy campaign, P&O Cruises were permitted to allocate the new Oriana with the call sign 'GVSN', which is the same call sign as her predecessor namesake (the Oriana built in 1960). One of her main designers, Robert Tillberg, spent a lot of the time onboard Canberra investigating the needs of British passengers and including as many features of Canberra possible into Oriana's design. The Oriana's single funnel is designed to have a resemblance to Canberra's twin funnels. She also has a single deck of balconies reserved for Suites, Mini-suites and Staterooms to cater for the growing desire for balconies onboard.

When she entered service Oriana was one of the largest cruise ships in the world, and also the largest ship built in Germany since 1914. Since then tonnages have boomed as the economies of scale dictate that a larger ships generates more profit. Nowadays most new cruise ships have a GRT of around 100,000 tonnes or higher.

The Oriana was named in a lavish ceremony in Southampton on the 6th April 1995 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

P&O Cruises era (1995 – Present): She then set sail on her maiden voyage on the 9th April 1995 which was a cruise from Southampton to Scandinavia. Since then she has enjoyed a successful career with P&O Cruises and throughout the spring, summer and autumn, Oriana sails to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. January to March each year sees her undertaking her annual World Cruise, calling at nearly 30 ports of call and taking 90 days to complete.

The Oriana currently holds the Golden Cockerel trophy for the fastest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. Previously held by the S.S. Oriana (1960) it passed to S.S. Canberra after that Oriana's retirement in 1986. On Canberra's final cruise in 1997 the Golden Cockerel was handed over to the new Oriana when both ships were anchored off Cannes and sent boats out to perform the handover.
In December 2006 a £12 million refit was undertaken on the Oriana in Bremerhaven, Germany. During the refit she was reflagged from the British Red Ensign to the Bermuda flag in order to enable Weddings at Sea to be held on board. Also a new Oriana Rhodes restaurant, designed by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes was introduced. Created in what was formerly 'The Curzon Room', the 96 seater restaurant has been introduced due to the success of the Arcadian Rhodes restaurant on fleetmate Arcadia. Other modifications included the extension of the popular Lord's Tavern bar, festooned with cricket memorabilia and refurbishment of the children's play areas. In addition all of her cabins have been restyled to include one of four new colour schemes, new curtains, carpets, beds, linen and duvets.

Today she continues to sail for P&O Cruises and remains a firm favourite with the British cruise market.

History of P&O's SS Himalaya

SS Himalaya in Manila 1962

Back in 1945 P&O had ordered its first new passenger liner of the postwar period. The Himalaya finally emerged in 1949 and was a splendid ship and the fastest and largest ship P&O had ever owned until that time. She had a top speed of 25 knots.

Design & Construction (1945 - 1949):

She had been ordered in March 1945 and she was built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness. Her keel was laid on the 26th February 1946 and she underwent sea trials in August 1949. She was delivered to P&O on the 1st September 1949. She was the first liner equipped with a Weir evaporating plant for distilling water. She was named after the Himalaya mountains.

P&O Himalaya under the Sydney Harbour Bridge

P&O Years (1949 - 1970):

She sailed on her maiden voyage on the 6th October 1949 from London (Tilbury) to Bombay via Suez. The Himalaya was a contemporary of Orient Line's Orcades and these ships marked a gradual coming together of the new liners of each company in the postwar era. She was a record breaker and cut the UK to Bombay passage by 5 days and reduced the overall voyage to Australia from 38 days to just 28 days. Indeed the six ships worked closely together on their Australian service with their sailing schedules organised so that sailings alternated between P&O and Orient. Thus they formed a Southern Dominions "Big Six" fleet.

On the 30th August 1956 an explosion occured in a domestic refrigeration chamber when she was in the Mediterranean bound for Australia. Four crew were killed and 12 injured.

In January 1958 P&O and Orient services to Australia were extended across the Pacific in a joint service marketed as Orient & Pacific Line. The Himalaya inaugurated the operation and sailings continued from Sydney to Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Vancouver and San Francisco. On the 12th January 1959 she departed London on a round trip of 79,000 km (49,250 miles) to Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan and Singapore, which in the process opened the Orient & Pacific Lines US / Japan service. In winter 1959 / 1960 she was refitted and air conditioned in the Netherlands.

In May 1960 her management and operation was transferred to P&O-Orient Lines. In October 1960 Stephen Bradley, who had abducted and killed an 8 year old son of the first Sydney Opera House lottery winner, was taken off the London bound ship at Colombo and flown back to Sydney by Comet airliner to face trial.

In 1963 she was refitted by R & H Green and Silley Weir Ltd in Tilbury for one class operation with 1,416 passengers. On the 21st November 1963 she set sail from London bound on her first one-class voyage to Australia. In 1966 her management and operation transferred to P&O Lines.

The Final Years (1970 - 1974): 

Official P&O postcard

In the 1970s she was primarily occupied on a long programme of cruises from Australia and New Zealand with a shorter period cruising from Southampton in the Spring, the two linked by "positioning" voyages. On the 27th March 1973, she arrived in Southampton with 1,400 passengers of whom no less than 950 were women on a World Discovery tour organised by the Australian magazine "Women's Weekly". In October 1971 her management and operation were transferred to the P&O Passenger Division. 

On the 30th October 1974, she arrived in Sydney at the end of her final commercial voyage. She was retired from service and sold to Mitsui & Co. who in turn sold her to Tong Cheng Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd for scrapping. She arrived at Kaoshiung, Taiwan on the 28th November 1974 and demolition commenced in January 1975. A sad end to a fine ship.

Sydney to Hong Kong on board P&O World Cruises’ Aurora

P&O Aurora

WHEN it comes to value for money it's very hard to beat a 22-night fly/cruise/stay package from Sydney to Hong Kong on board P&O World Cruises' Aurora departing on February 16, 2014 not to mention the extra UKP150 on board credit per person now available through ecruising.travel

Passengers can save from $2300 per person upwards when the package is booked by November 22.

The new price of $2429 includes a 20- night cruise with all main meals and entertainment, two nights at the Marco Polo hotel in Hong Kong and return air fares to Sydney.

On the way north Aurora spends a day in Brisbane and another in the Whitsunday Islands before a few days at sea on the way to Manila. Next stop is China's most exciting city Shanghai, then the resort island of Xiamen before arriving in Hong Kong with another night on board before disembarking.

Whilst at sea Aurora has plenty to keep you entertained with a cinema, 600-seat show lounge, casino, pools and Jacuzzis, golf simulator, business centre and library.

Wining and dining is catered for by a 24-hour bistro, and two main restaurants including a deck café, buffet and chocolate shop all serviced by a choice of 12 bars.

There are more P&O World Cruise Asian voyages available with great discounts, for more information contact ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel

Serendipity Rules As P&O Cruises’ Superliner Pacific Pearl Joins Vivid Sydney’s Celebration Of Light And Sound

An unusual two-night stay in Sydney on a cruise itinerary planned more than two years ago has led to P&O Cruises’ superliner Pacific Pearl becoming the canvas for a spectacular Vivid Sydney light and sound display – the first time a cruise ship has been part of the festival.

Timed perfectly for the start of the 18-day annual Winter festival of light, music and ideas, Pacific Pearl will come alive with the P&O Cruises’ ‘See Voyage’ taking excited viewers on a virtual cruise.

Pacific Pearl

Close to 2000 New Zealand visitors whose Pacific Pearl cruise to Australia started in Auckland on May 21 will have a front row viewing platform of Vivid Sydney on May 24-25.

“It’s unusual for a P&O Cruises’ ship to have an overnight transit call at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on a cruise itinerary that was determined two years ago,” said Tammy Marshall, Senior Vice President P&O Cruises.

“To have Pacific Pearl at Circular Quay on the first two nights of Vivid Sydney and to be able to project images of the sea and the islands on her side in an extravaganza of light and sound, was an opportunity that was just too good to miss.”

On both nights of Pearl’s transit call, the P&O Cruises’ ‘See Voyage’ five-minute presentation will run every 30 minutes from 6pm – midnight with the Sydney Opera House and its vicinity the best viewing spot to take in the eclectic display.

The colourful fast moving show captures Vivid Sydney’s festival of creativity, enjoyment and escapism, which are also part and parcel of cruising to the Pacific Islands to visit some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

“Pacific Pearl’s passengers are in for a very special treat as their superliner becomes one of the many Vivid Sydney light installations around the world’s most spectacular harbour,” Ms Marshall said.

“In addition to taking in the Vivid Sydney sights and sounds, for two nights they will have all the time needed to fan out and enjoy the dining, shopping and touring opportunities that the city has to offer.

“To have Pacific Pearl’s two-night transit call to Sydney coincide with Vivid Sydney is pure serendipity and we couldn’t be more excited at this chance to present wonderful images of the islands and maritime themes.”

P&O Cruises Showcases Multi-million Pound Ventura Refurbishment

A multi-million pound refurbishment has been carried out to Ventura to incorporate features which have proved popular with passengers on sister ship Azura.

Successful concepts from Azura, such as The Glasshouse, The Retreat, menus designed by Michelin -star chef Atul Kochhar in speciality restaurant East and single cabins have all been introduced on board Ventura as part of P&O Cruises ongoing refit programme.

Highlights include:

The Glasshouse

• The Glasshouse has been introduced, to replace Las Ramblas bar and restaurant on Deck 7
• Installation of enomatic wine system allows passengers to buy premium wines by the glass selected by TV wine expertOlly Smith
• Conversion to The Glasshouse menu with a selection of small and large plates available for lunch and dinner (additional charge). Small plates include:chorizo, pork belly and butter bean cassoulet and larger plates include a selection of steak, burger and fish dishes with triple cooked chips as well as vegetarian options including woodland mushroom and spring onion risotto with melting camembert

East
East now features a new menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar
Atul has devised a unique Thai/Indonesian menu, which also includes influences from Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisine. Sample dishes include:

• -24 Hour Slow Cooked Lamb Rendang - Indonesian style curry with coconut milk, shallots, garlic and ginger
• -Spiced Sea Bream - wrapped in banana leaf and griddled with shallots and green chillies

Atul Kochhar said: "Exploring flavours from across the Far East, including Indonesia and Thailand, this new and exciting menu showcases modern Asian cuisine. Incorporating mystical spices with subtle ingredients this menu is inspired by my travels throughout Asia and my love of spice."

Single cabins
18 new single cabins added: 12 outside and six inside
Located in the same area as Azura, adjacent to the Exchange Bar on Deck 6, a central location

The Retreat

• Installation of The Retreat into the forward area on Deck 16
• The Retreat is a sumptuous open-air spa terrace with sun loungers, a separate pool and stunning sea views, exclusively for adults
• Passengers can buy a full day pass to The Retreat for a small cover charge

Other changes

• The atrium features a new dance floor which will host dance lessons day and night with a live band in the evening
• Ventura is now fully wi-fi enabled
• The cyberstudy has been converted into the ship's new library (with some fixed PCs)
• A new perfumery has replaced the old library
• A new enomatic wine system has been introduced in Waterside, the ship's buffet restaurant. This self-service system allows passengers to buy premium wines by the glass, similar to The Glasshouse, by purchasing a wine card on board

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said:

"This is the latest of several refits to our fleet. Oriana and Oceana have already had multi-million pound investments and Arcadia will be at the end of the year. We are delighted with the changes on Ventura. All of the enhancements have been made following feedback from both existing passengers and potential cruisers. Research showed that speciality restaurants were very important as well as a variety of dining with premium grills, classic fine dining, Asian and Indian menus being the most popular.

"As a result we have added these innovations onto Ventura. We have a new Asian Fusion menu in East, designed by Atul Kochhar and we added The Glasshouse grill and wine bar, both of which have proved so popular on Azura.

"Following the success of the single cabins on Azura and Oriana, we also now have 18 new single cabins on Ventura. This offers an attractive and cost effective option to solo travellers.

"The Retreat has also been a huge hit with passengers on Azura and so we now have the same concept on Ventura. The Retreat offers a private area, exclusively for adults and is the perfect place to relax, unwind and be pampered.

"All in all, these changes are very well suited to passengers seeking a relaxed and contemporary cruising experience - perfect for families, friends and couples alike. We are very excited to have these latest innovations in time for Ventura's new fly-cruise programme to the Mediterranean next summer. Our passengers can enjoy some of Europe's most iconic destinations in greater style and even more comfort on our new-look Ventura."

The changes are reflected in the new P&O Cruises 2014/15 brochure. The new programme, which has significant savings for early bookers, is on sale now.

A Ventura refit video is available with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen talking through the exciting changes. To view it, please visit P&O Cruises YouTube page or click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxl7apcPTac

Southampton to Sydney aboard P&O Arcadia

LOOKING for some time out from the children or grandkids, cruise specialists ecruising.travel has the perfect 48-night package on board the elegant adult only Arcadia ship on a cruise from Southampton to Sydney which has been discounted by up to 52 per cent per person.

Departing on January 8, 2014 the ship calls at Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean on the way to Bridgetown and Willemstad in the Caribbean before transiting the Panama Canal to Guatemala. After visits to San Diego and Los Angeles Arcadia then sails for Papeete and Bora Bora in French Polynesia on the way to the Fijian capital Suva. There are calls at Bay of Islands and Auckland in New Zealand before disembarking in Sydney on February 25.

There is plenty of time at sea to relax and enjoy more than 13 different lounges, bars, pubs and restaurants- including the renowned Ocean Grill Marco Pierre White restaurant. There are a variety of entertainment venues to experience such as "The Screening Room" a 30-seat cinema, "The Globe" with live music and comedy acts as well the casino, three tier showroom, art and photo gallery and much more.

The itinerary is available from $6669 per person twin share from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, from $6869 from Adelaide and from Perth is priced from $6969.

The price includes one-way economy airfare from Australia to London, two nights' accommodation at St Ermins Hotel in London, a London sightseeing pass, 46-nights cruise accommodation with all meals, on board entertainment, private transfers and port and government charges. Passengers can upgrade their accommodation to stay at the Savoy Hotel in London from an extra $330 per person.

The package is for sale until January 3, 2014 unless sold out, for more details check out www.ecruising.travel or call 1300-369-848

Mothers Day Cruise a break for 'raw deal' mums

Mothers' Day - Sunday 12 May 2013

 An astonishing two thirds of Australian mums are still expected to do household chores and cook family meals on Mother’s Day, according to a new national survey released by P&O Cruises.

And just to confirm mums are getting a raw deal, when asked if they were treated to breakfast in bed, a romantic dinner or relief from household chores on Mother’s Day, nearly half the mums surveyed said ‘none of the above’.

However, the revealing P&O Cruises survey of more than 1000 mothers also showed that keeping the peace is the byword for mums when it comes to how they are treated on Mother’s Day.

Twenty-five per cent of mums who said they received a Mother’s Day gift they didn’t like said nothing but passed the unwanted gift on to someone else.

Sixty-four per cent put the gift somewhere they were never likely to see it again but five per cent said they would sell it on e-bay and use the proceeds to buy something they liked.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said she was stunned to discover from the survey that not all Aussie mums are being spoilt rotten on Mother’s Day.

nearly half of mums surveyed were still doing chores on Mothers Day

 “On Mother’s Day of all days mums should be getting pampered in every way and given a break from
the usual daily grind,” Ms Sherry said.

“It’s no surprise why women are so likely to choose a cruise holiday where someone else does all the
cooking and cleaning and helps explain why there has been such strong demand for P&O Cruises’
inaugural Mother’s Day cruise.”

Other key findings in the P&O Cruises’ national survey of just over 1000 Aussie mums included:

• 42% had holidayed with their mothers as an adult and based on that experience a resounding
• 82% would do it again
• 22% had holidayed with their mothers-in-law as adults but some – 2.4% -- preferred not to remember the experience
• 17% would definitely holiday with their mothers-in-law again but 22% wouldn’t back up for a second and for 15% it was ‘definitely no’
• 49% would prefer a Mother’s Day getaway with their husband or partner but 16% would prefer to travel solo and 14% preferred a getaway with girlfriends
• 87% thought a Mother’s Day break where they didn’t have to cook, make a bed or do any household chores would be appealing
• 47% who contemplated a Mother’s Day cruise would do it for its complete freedom from domestic chores and obligations

When asked which famous mum they would like to spend Mother’s Day with, Michelle Obama was
the standout choice (22%) followed by Maggie Beer (18%) and Nicole Kidman (15%). Posh Spice was
the least popular Mother’s Day choice (2%).

“Our special Mother’s Day survey is a wake-up call for Aussie families,” Ms Sherry said. “Aussie mums want a better deal and it sounds like a cruise is just the sort of Mother’s Day pampering they have in mind.”

The three-night Mother’s Day cruise on Pacific Jewel leaves Sydney on Friday May 10.

For more information on cruises and bookings contact a licensed travel agent or P&O Cruises on 13
24 94 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

P&O Cruises Puts Moreton Island on the Cruise Map

P&O Cruises has become the first cruise line to visit Queensland's beautiful Moreton Island with the arrival of Pacific Jewel on Saturday (March 16) as part of a four-night SeaBreak from Sydney.

The passengers were greeted by Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey, Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry and Tangalooma Island Resort Director David James, before heading off to experience the Island's many attractions including dolphin feeding, canoeing and snorkelling. Passengers were also able to experience the spectacular Champagne Pools and Honeymoon Bay, sand-duning, quad bike tours and bird-watching.

The visit by the 1950-passenger Pacific Jewel was the first of six calls planned for Moreton Island in 2013 which are expected to inject more than $1 million into the local economy. The four-night P&O SeaBreaks featuring a visit to Moreton Island have already proven to be some of the most popular itineraries offered by the cruise line.

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said she was thrilled to be introducing Australians to one of the undiscovered gems on Queensland's coastline.

"Moreton Island is literally on our doorstep and we're delighted to be giving close to 12,000 interstate visitors the opportunity to experience its beauty for the first time in 2013," Ms Sherry said. "The response from our passengers has been overwhelmingly positive and I know they will return home to spread the word about what an exceptional discovery Moreton Island is."

Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the creation of a new destination at Moreton Island showed it is "full steam ahead" for the cruise industry in Queensland, which is Australia's second biggest cruise state, after New South Wales.

"The addition of Moreton Island to the Queensland cruise map is another win for the state's economy," Ms Stuckey said.

"The most recent available figures show that the cruise industry generated an estimated $590 million for the Queensland economy in 2011-12, including $336 million in direct expenditure.

"Cruising has been the fastest growing segment of the Queensland tourism market during the past year, and the Newman Government is happy to support innovative experiences like the P&O Cruises' visit to Moreton Island."

Tangalooma Island Resort's David James said tourism and business operators in the Moreton Bay and Islands group were excited to welcome P&O Cruises' passengers to the region.

"We are thrilled to showcase Moreton Island's spectacular natural beauty and leisure experiences to our P&O Cruises guests," Mr James said. "No doubt, many will be surprised that a treasure like this exists so close to home."