Islands made for cruising. Sicily for food and wine.

Palermo market

Snapshots of the world's best island cruising destinations.

By Roderick Eime

Sicily is one the best Mediterranean island destinations, even if you don't consider it a gastronomic attraction. You'll enjoy fabulous food with lashings of rich history and culture against a stunning natural backdrop. Strolling through any of the local food and produce markets is an experience in itself as you are confronted with beautifully presented fish, fruit, vegetables and even packaged delights. Sicilians love their food and wine and you'll find their passion translates into the many restaurants, cafes and bars.

Acclaimed food and wine author, Sally Hammond, author of "Just a Little Italian" explains why she loves Sicily.

"Sicily has been over-run and colonised by many nations over its long history. Ancient Greeks and Romans, Goths, Vikings, Turks, Spanish and North Africans have all had a hand in the mixing pot which now constitutes Sicilian cuisine.

"So in western Sicily you'll see signs announcing couscous is being served that day, in the south, it's almond granita (a flaky ice) and a sort of brioche for breakfast, and some of the best chocolate, while everywhere there are food markets that would be at home in the Middle East.

"In the countryside expect to see prickly pear laden with red fruit on the roadside and olive and orange groves. Sicily is a fragrant, colourful, absolutely delicious island."

Palermo and Messina are the popular ports, but cruises also stop at Catania. Well serviced by all the major cruise lines like MSC, Costa Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and NCL.

Official tourism site: www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/sicily.html

Islands Made for Cruising: Cuba

A street in Trinidad, Cuba. Trinidad has been one of
UNESCO's World Heritage sites since 1988. (Wikimedia)

Cuba for Romance and Music

By Roderick Eime

The incurably romantic Caribbean island of Cuba is one of the last true Communist redoubts of the 21st Century and has captured the imaginations of artists, poets and musicians for as long as we can remember.

Cuba is almost always in the news. The legendary revolutionary, Fidel Castro Ruz, who turned 86 this year, is clearly on a short countdown until his ultimate term expires. Even with his poor health and advancing years, the old revolutionary still wields surprising power.

The resilience of the Cuban revolutionary Government has created a nation that almost stands still in cold war time. With his imminent passing, and especially since the withdrawal of Soviet aid, Cuba will inevitably be drawn into the broader world economic community.

Cuba's attraction as a tourist destination is due in part because of the world’s curiosity with this stubborn regime. But Cuba, in its own right, is a vibrant and exciting destination blessed with idyllic beaches and fascinating early Spanish history dating back to Columbus. More recent figures like Ernest Hemingway, Desi Arnaz, Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan reinforce the romance and passion of the island. Cuba's rich musical heritage has reached world popularity with musicians such as the Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro-Cuban Allstars.

Glenn A Baker, popular music historian and social commentator says, “There is a constant, inescapable sensuality to the entire Cuban experience. For all the crumbling decay, the tarnished and faded glamour, and the shortages and sacrifices of a country whose economy virtually collapsed when the Soviets cut off the drip-feed more than a decade ago, there is nothing dormant or moribund about the place.

“Take Latin vibrancy and pride, wind it up a few notches with classic Cuban machismo, stir well with history, intrigue and uncertainty, garnish with a siege mentality, serve warm with Spanish style and you have the very core of the Caribbean, its only truly essential destination.”

The best place to relive the Cuban music made famous by the original Buena Vista Social Club, is Salón 1930 ‘Compay Segundo’ at the Hotel Nacional.

Fancy a toast to old Ernest? Saunter down to La Bodegita del Medio in Empedrado Street, in the old Havana district for a mojito made to Hemmingway’s own recipe. How do you know this? It’s written on the wall in his handwriting.

While it’s still tough for Americans to visit, all that will change eventually, even though Cuban ports lack the infrastructure to accommodate cruise vessels of the size Americans like to cruise on. Instead, small and medium ships from lines such as Fred.Olsen, Hapag Lloyd, Variety and Voyages of Discovery are among the lines that visit Cuba from non-US ports. Australians have no such problem visiting Cuba except when accessing funds, so taking cash is the way to go. American Express? Forget it.

Most cruise ships will visit Havana, but Variety’s 8-day “Sights and Sounds of Cuba“ will also visit Casilda/Trinidad, Cienfuegos (a World Heritage site since 1988), Playa Giron, Juventud Island or Cayo Largo and Bahia de Corrientes, ports that occupy most of the western half of the island. The romance of this forbidden fruit is further enhanced with the use of their 49-pax, 3-masted schooner, “Panorama”.

Interested? Try this itinerary from APT

Spirit of the Spanish Main
(15 days) Embark on a Caribbean adventure from the Bahamas to Belize. Step back in time as you roam the streets of Cuba, unwind on the powder-white beaches of far-flung islands, and explore ancient ruins of a lost empire.

Australia ready for Astor

All hands on deck as Australia prepares for Astor

Brochures now available for Fremantle-based premium cruise ship

The owners of the 620-passenger cruise ship Astor have left Australia confident in their decision to base the premium vessel in Fremantle for the next three summers.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) UK announced early last month that it will be sending Astor to Fremantle for the 2013-14 Summer, the first of three seasons that it will be based Down Under. There are 15 itineraries being offered during her inaugural season.

After a week-long visit that included Sydney, Perth and Fremantle, Mr Christian Verhounig (Chairman and MD of CMV UK) said: ``We are genuinely encouraged by the positive response that we received from members of Australia's travel industry of our decision to bring Astor to Australia. There appears already to be much anticipation surrounding her arrival in December.
``Our visit has left us more confident than ever in our decision to base a premium vessel in Fremantle for the next three Australian summers.
``Our discussions with key industry stakeholders also confirmed our belief that Australia's growing number of cruise-goers are ready to have a greater standard of vessel than they have ever seen based in their waters.''

Mr Nicolas Tragakes (Chairman of Global Maritime Group), Mr Verhounig and Mr Alexios Tsokos (CEO CMV USA) also oversaw the launch of operations of the CMV Australia office, in Sydney.

The purpose of the visit was to:
       Launch CMV Australia's website, www.cmvaustralia.com, which includes information about everything you need to know about Astor;
       Deliver Astor's 2013-14 summer brochure to travel agents;
       Open CMV Australia's sales office in Sydney;

The national sales office for CMV Australia is located at:
Suite 206, Level 2, 506 Miller Street, Cammeray, NSW.
Phone: Reservations – 1300 307 934.

Media wanting a copy of Astor's 2013-14 Australian summer brochure can contact Brad Elborough on 0417 175 434 or be.comm@yahoo.com.au.

SAVER FARES: ** For a limited introductory period, CMV Australia is offering generous early booking deals for Astor's inaugural 2013/14 summer cruising season. Saver Fares offer discounts of up to 25% on full published fares, applicable to a limited number of twin and single cabin bookings made prior to May 15, 2013. This discount is not applicable to the New Year's Eve celebration cruise.

Visit: www.cmvaustralia.com

About ASTOR
Length – 176.5m / Width – 22.61m / Draught – 6.1m
Gross tonnage – 20,606 tonne
Cabins / suites / premium suites – 247 / 39 / 3
278 international officers and crew

·          The ASTOR was built in Germany in 1987 and underwent an AUD$18.6 million refurbishment in 2010 to the cabins and public areas. She has cruised in Europe for the demanding German market for the past 10 years.
·          The ASTOR has seven passenger decks and is a premium, fully stabilised and air-conditioned cruise liner with a maximum capacity of 620 guests.
·          The ASTOR boasts the impressive Waldorf Restaurant, which offers traditional cruise two sitting, fixed-time dining options. Alternatively, passengers can opt for the more informal experience of the sun-drenched Übersee Club Bistro.
·          The ASTOR has five lounge areas - the theatre style ASTOR Lounge, for some truly sparkling entertainment from the highly acclaimed show-team; the elegant Captain's Club, a perfect venue for pre-dinner cocktails with the resident pianist; the intimate Hanse Bar which leads onto the stylish Sonnen (Sun) Terrace Bar, with wonderful panoramic ocean views; and the Poolside Bar.
·          A popular feature of the ASTOR is the Sports Deck, with a volleyball court, half court tennis, jogging track, golf practice facility, big board chess and space for yoga.
·          Other facilities include the ship's Library, the Card Room, an internet café, a shopping arcade featuring a boutique, jeweller, perfumery and the Wellness Centre, which offers hairdressing and beauty treatments, an indoor swimming pool, ocean view fitness and exercise equipment, and sauna and massage facilities.
·          There is an outdoor, plus an indoor swimming pool, two whirlpools and, in keeping with her heritage, a traditional walk around promenade deck. There is a very good selection of comfortable modern cabin accommodation from Standard to De Luxe with 70% of cabins having an ocean view and with individually controlled air-conditioning.

ASTOR 2013-14 Australia highlights

4 nights Wine, Food and Fitness Cruise
Sails from Fremantle on Monday, December 16, 2013. Routing – Fremantle, Albany, Bunbury, Fremantle.

35 nights Grand Round Australian Circumnavigation
Sails from Fremantle on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Routing – Fremantle, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Hobart and Port Arthur, Melbourne, Eden for Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Lombok, Komodo Island, Broome, Fremantle.

About CMV
CMV is an established UK-based independent cruise line and is part of CMV Holdings London Ltd with as associate North American sales office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. CMV Australia will be structured as a sales office to support the new Australian cruise operation in conjunction with the Global Maritime Group, CMV's majority shareholders.
With an annual program capacity of 45,000 passengers, CMV specialises in operating traditional smaller ship cruises of distinction. Serving the British and international English-speaking cruise markets, the renowned passenger flagship MARCO POLO operated alongside the popular 800 passenger OCEAN COUNTESS from six UK ports to mainly European destinations over the past three years. In 2013, Ocean Countess will be replaced by the upgraded 700 passenger DISCOVERY under a long-term charter arrangement as a joint venture partnership will All Leisure Holidays Ltd, part of the highly respected All Leisure Group PLC.
Marco Polo and Discovery are operated under charter by CMV, who has a wealth of cruise industry expertise spanning almost four decades and is a member of the prestigious Passenger Shipping Association and ACE - the Association of Cruise Experts. CMV's international head office is based in London in Purfleet Essex, close to the port of Tilbury.
All holidays featured in all CMV's brochures are financially protected by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages. Cruise arrangements not including air travel are financially protected with the Association of British Travel Agents 9ABTA Number: V9945) and cruise arrangements including air travel are financially protected with the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL No. 4619)
For more information, visit Cruise & Maritime Voyages at www.cruiseandmaritime.com.

Oceania Cruises Takes Top Honours in Cruise Critic's 2013 Cruisers' Choice Awards

The countdown is over!  Oceania Cruises' ship Marina is set to make her debut in Australia this week, and comes with a multitude of accolades as Oceania Cruises sailed away in the mid-sized ship category winning in a dozen categories at the 2013 Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards for the U.S. and the U.K. on 27 February.

Marina took away three top awards in the U.S. for Best Dining, Best Public Rooms and Best Cabins and won Best for Fitness in the U.K.

The company's newest ship, Riviera, took seven top awards in the U.K., including Best Overall Mid-Sized Ship and Best Value for the Money, along with top honours for Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best for Embarkation, Best Public Rooms and Best Service.  Additionally, U.S. cruisers placed Riviera at the top for Best Cruise to the Mediterranean.

"As the 2013 Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards are based entirely on reviews submitted by consumers for cruises taken in the past year, it is an honour to receive this recognition from guests the world over", said Kunal S. Kamlani, the line's president.  "It's extremely gratifying to know that our brand proposition to deliver an exceptional cruise experience at an incredible value resonates with travellers."

For more information, visit www.OceaniaCruises.com or visit your local travel agent.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises® offers unrivalled cuisine, luxurious accommodations, exceptional personalized service and extraordinary value. Award-winning itineraries visit more than 330 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Americas aboard two pairs of mid-size sister ships: the 684-guest Regatta and Nautica, and 1,250-guest Marina and Riviera.

About Prestige Cruise Holdings

Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. PCH manages select assets in Apollo Management's cruise investment portfolio and is led by Chairman & CEO Frank J. Del Rio and President & COO Kunal S. Kamlani. PCH is the market leader in the upper-premium and luxury segments of the cruise industry with over 6,400 berths between the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

Celebrity Cruises presents "Celebrity’s World Tour"

Guest-inspired, modern luxury cruise holidays to all seven continents of the world

World tours aren't limited to rock stars.  Celebrity Cruises today announced the kickoff of "Celebrity's World Tour 2014-15," the brand's introduction of guest-inspired, destination-rich, modern luxury cruise holidays to all seven continents of the world.

The collection of itineraries in Celebrity's World Tour will be revealed in detail as each set opens for bookings over the next four weeks. Today, Celebrity offered a preview of the type of destination-rich holidays the brand will offer in each of the seven continents, with more ports of call, more overnight stays, and the modern luxury style, design, cuisine and entertainment the brand is known for delivering onboard:

Africa: Celebrity Silhouette's 14-night Holy Land voyage will depart roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), and will be highlighted by an overnight stay in Alexandria, Egypt; an overnight stay in Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel; and visits to Haifa, Israel; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Catania, Sicily, Italy, and Naples/Capri, Italy.

Antarctica: Exotic 14-night voyages on Celebrity Infinity depart from Buenos Aires, with visits to Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Cape Horn, Chile; Schollart Channel and Dalhan Bay, Paradise Bay, Gerlache Strait, and Elephant Island, Antarctica; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, and Montevideo, Uruguay.
 
Asia: Celebrity Millennium's 14-night itineraries will depart from Singapore, beginning with an overnight stay in the city, followed by an overnight stay in Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam; Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam; an overnight stay in Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam, concluding in Hong Kong, China, with an overnight stay.
 
Australia: Celebrity Solstice will present 12-night Australia & New Zealand vacations beginning with an overnight stay in Sydney, followed by visits to Melbourne, Australia; Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland, New Zealand.

Europe: Guests can immerse themselves in an 11-night Mediterranean vacation on the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet, Celebrity Reflection, departing roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, with visits to Santorini, Mykonos and Athens (Piraeus), Greece, along with Naples/Capri, Italy, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, and an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey.

North America: Celebrity Solstice will bring Solstice Class style back to Alaska on 7-night sailings roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, with visits to Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, the stunning Inside Passage of Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia.

South America: An overnight stay in Buenos Aires highlights the beginning of a 14-night voyage on Celebrity Infinity, followed by visits to Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, Argentina; Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, and Puerto Montt, Chile, in addition to sailing through the Straits of Magellan and Chilean Fjords, ending in Valparaiso, Chile.

Celebrity's 2014-15 World Tour also includes a collection of elite land-based adventures available nowhere else. Named "Celebrity Exclusives," the collection will feature personalised experiences for individuals or small parties no larger than 15 guests.  A sampling of Celebrity Exclusives include: A VIP hospitality package at the 2014 British Open Golf Tournament; an overnight journey to Moscow by high-speed train; roaming the hills of Rome in a Ferrari; enjoying the best of Mykonos on a private yacht; or catamaran sailing in the Finnish archipelago.

To further enhance guests' destination experience, every Celebrity ship in 2014 will offer the services of a Destination Concierge, whose in-depth knowledge of the ports of call on every itinerary will allow the expert to guide Celebrity's guests through every aspect of their adventures on land, including Celebrity Exclusives, or to create special excursions tailored precisely for individual guests' preferences.

Celebrity will reveal full details of the breadth of itineraries and land-based adventures within Celebrity's World Tour as each collection of itineraries opens for bookings this month.

With Celebrity's World Tour, Celebrity's valued Captain's Club members receive "Priority Access" with the opportunity to be first to book the new sailings with exclusive offers. The first in the portfolio – Celebrity's 2014 Bermuda, as well as Canada & New England – is now open to loyalty members.

About Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide. Celebrity Cruises is one of the fastest-growing major cruise lines with a fleet of 11 ships, with the newest, Celebrity Reflection, launched in late 2012, and the spectacular Celebrity Solstice based in Australia for her maiden local season since November 2012. For more information, contact your travel agent, call 1800 754 500 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.au. Travel professionals can call 1300 754 500 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.

About RCL Australia

RCL Cruises Ltd Australia commenced operation in December 2008 as the Australian arm of global cruise holiday company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. In Australia the company operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. In the 2012-13 season, the cruise line will be the largest operator in Sydney, with five ships sailing in the region including three Royal Caribbean 'premierships', Voyager of the Seas, the largest and newest ship based locally, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, as well as two Celebrity Cruises ships, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines offers 24/7 customer service

Carnival Spirit in Sydney (Flickr user: bluehorizon99)

In an Australian first, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced their call centre for Carnival Spirit will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a move that provides guests and agents with constant access to the dedicated call centre team.

The change highlights Carnival Cruise Lines' commitment to providing superior guest service at a time that best suits Australians' busy lifestyles.

The change also strengthens Carnival Cruise Lines' commitment to support their loyal agent partners; many agents work long hours and throughout the weekend, and will appreciate continual call centre support.

Jennifer Vandekreeke, Director Carnival Cruise Lines Australia and New Zealand is confident the change will be a major help. "We know Aussies lead busy lives and we also know holiday inspiration can strike at any time.  For these reasons, and as part of our ongoing commitment to quality customer service, we will now be available for guests and agents whenever they need us."

Carnival Spirit currently sails from Sydney offering eight to 12-day cruises to the Pacific Islands with limited sailings to New Zealand and select cruises from Melbourne.

Titanic II Coming to New York

More than a 100 years since RMS Titanic was due to berth in the United States on its grand maiden voyage, a 21st century version of the legendary passenger ship, Titanic II, is coming to New York.

Blue Star Line chairman Professor Clive Palmer's dream for Titanic II is being unveiled at a Global Launch aboard the retired aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, a national historic landmark moored in New York Harbour and now home to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The Australian billionaire will display the design plans for Titanic II at a gala black-tie dinner on USS Intrepid attended by more than 500 guests.

"While the focus of this Global Launch is to release never before seen blueprints of Titanic II, the event will also pay tribute to Titanic, her passengers and crew as well as look to the future and celebrate Titanic II," Professor Palmer said.

"Titanic was a ship of dreams and Titanic II will be the ship where the dreams come true."

He said his plan to build Titanic II and sail her from Southampton to New York on her maiden passenger voyage in late 2016 had generated worldwide interest.

"We have had more than 40,000 enquiries from around the world from people expressing an interest in securing a booking for the maiden voyage," he said.

A who's who of world leaders, senior diplomats and major American political figures will be treated to performances by Australian entertainer Glenn Shorrock, an Irish band from Australia, McGuinness & Co, as well as South Korean acoustic guitarist Sungha Jung and US classical violinist Taylor Davis.

Professor Palmer said his aim when it came to sourcing entertainment for the Global Launch was to make sure it reflected the entertainment aboard the original RMS Titanic in 1912.

"We have managed to source an array of established and up and coming artists," he said.

Professor Palmer said guests at the gala dinner would enjoy a 11-course 'Captain's Atlantic Dinner' featuring dishes from the original Titanic menus.

"I am flying in 60 top chefs from around the world to prepare this feast for our distinguished guests," he said.

Members of Club de Madrid, the world's largest forum of former democratic presidents and prime ministers, will be well represented at the launch.

The evening will be attended by former Canadian Prime Minister and Club de Madrid founder Kim Campbell as well as the Club's Executive Director and Vice President of The Gorbachev Foundation Anthony Jones and former President of Colombia Andrés Pastrana.

Other dignitaries include New York Senators Patrick M. Gallivan, Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Kevin S. Parker, Australia's Senior Trade Commissioner to the United States Richard Leather and United Kingdom's Consul General to New York Danny Lopez.

Directors Ding Jian Liang and Zhang Qi Ying from China's state-owned CSC Jinling Shipyard, who have been commissioned by Blue Star Line to build and coordinate the construction of Titanic II in China, will attend the New York dinner.

Professor Palmer said also joining him will be Markku Kanerva, Director of Sales of Finland-based marine design company Deltamarin, which has been commissioned to design Titanic II.

Other guests include Helen Benziger, a descendant of famous American socialite and Titanic survivor, Margaret 'Molly' Brown, who has agreed to join the advisory board for the Titanic II project.

Charity auctions will be held at the dinner in New York with proceeds going to answerthecall.org (The New York Police and Fire Widow's Children's Benefit Fund).

For more information or to register interest in the maiden voyage, visit www.bluestarline.com.au

Follow @clivefpalmer @titanic_ii and @blue_star_line on Twitter