Cunard’s 2022 Season Down Under Offers Luxury Voyages to Explore Australia, South Pacific and Japan

Queen Elizabeth based in Australia for a record 124 days

Luxury cruise line Cunard has announced its 2021 / 2022 collection of voyages, which will allow guests to explore even more inspirational destinations on board the famous Cunard fleet.

Queen Elizabeth returns to Australia for her longest season yet, spanning 124 days from November 2021 to March 2022. Guests can experience unique itineraries including Cunard’s sought after Christmas voyage, the line’s inaugural Fiji and South Pacific round trip, and breath-taking voyages around Japan. Queen Elizabeth’s Australian season finishes with the renowned Royal Rendezvous giving people a rare opportunity to witness Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, when they meet in Sydney Harbour on March 2, 2022.

Cunard Australia’s Commercial Director, Katrina McAlpine said she was very excited to welcome Queen Elizabeth back for yet another record deployment Down Under with exciting new voyages around Australia, Fiji and the South Pacific and Japan.

The return of Queen Elizabeth, one of the world’s most famous ships, for a record 124 days is testament to Australia’s growing importance to Cunard as the line’s third largest international source market,” Ms McAlpine said.

“Queen Elizabeth is going to 11 different Australian destinations making a total of 30 calls to those ports, she is also making 27 calls across 10 New Zealand ports, injecting upwards of $34m into the Australian and New Zealand economies combined.”

Queen Elizabeth’s home port season includes multiple exciting maiden calls for the ship including Lautoka and Suva in Fiji and also features Cunard’s first call to Eden in NSW.

At the end of the Australian season in March, Queen Elizabeth will travel north to Japan via Southeast Asia. The voyage includes a variety of exotic and iconic destinations such as Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shanghai and a maiden call to Beijing.

For more information about Cunard and the newly announced voyages, that are bookable from December 18, please visit www.cunard.com.

Luxury cruise ship, Silver Muse inaugural arrival in Hobart

Today, ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea Cruises, is celebrating the inaugural arrival of its fleet’s iconic flagship Silver Muse into Hobart, following her return to the region earlier this month. Led by Australian, Italian Captain, Alessandro Zanello, the arrival marks the first of a number of maiden calls that Silver Muse will be making during her second, extended season in the region.

Adam Armstrong, Managing Director – Australia and New Zealand, Silversea Cruises, said,

“We are continuing to increase the range of unique destinations on offer to our guests and we are thrilled to add Hobart to Silver Muse’s itineraries this season. The majority of guests travelling onboard this voyage are international visitors and I have no doubt that they will be thrilled with what is on offer as we showcase the very best of our region. We are absolutely committed to the growth of the Australia and New Zealand market, which we expect to soon become our second biggest market globally, and Silver Muse will be making a number of maiden calls this season, including in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.” 

The luxurious Silver Muse will stay in the Australia-Pacific region until the end of March and will make a total of three calls in Hobart during this time. Whilst in Hobart, Silversea’s guests can choose from a number of optional excursions, including a half-day sightseeing excursion by air and sea; an exclusive early-evening sightseeing excursion to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary; a scenic and invigorating, half-day kayaking excursion in the picturesque harbour; a relaxing, half-day golfing excursion; and a leisurely, half-day culinary excursion of the Coal Valley with tastings at a renowned oyster farm and winery.

Since her inaugural season in the region last year, a number of enhancements have been implemented to upgrade the already exceptional culinary offering on board Silver Muse. In addition to receiving chilled champagne in their suites upon embarkation, guests now have complimentary sustainable Ars Italica caviar at their fingertips 24 hours per day. Comprising between 50 and 70 labels, the largest complimentary wine list at sea has also been upgraded, as Silversea adds more variety to its industry-leading selection, including more regional options to immerse guests in the culinary culture of sailed regions.

Silver Muse offers uncompromising levels of comfort, service and quality for the world’s most discerning travellers. On board, guests experience enhanced small-ship intimacy, spacious all suite accommodations, expansive outdoor spaces and the most comprehensive choice of dining options at sea with eight venues, including specialty choices such as Kaiseki and Indochine, plus 24-hour complimentary dining options throughout the ship. The all-suite vessel carries up to 596 guests in all-inclusive luxury with butler service in all suites.

In 2020, Silver Muse will return to Hobart on 22 January and 8 March, and in 2021 she will return on 14 February. Further reinforcing the cruise line’s commitment to Tasmania, Silver Muse will sail into Burnie on 30 December 2019, and on 20 January, 12 February, 7 and 27 March, 12 November and 23 December in 2020.

For more information on Silver Muse’s voyages to Hobart, visit here.

For more information on Silver Muse’s voyages to Burnie visit here.

Norwegian Jewel returns for third local season

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, is celebrating the return of Norwegian Jewel ‘Down Under’, with the ship entering Sydney Harbour for her third Australasian sailing season over the weekend.

Having undergone a multi-million-dollar, bow-to-stern refurbishment in late 2018, Norwegian Jewel has officially commenced her 2019/2020 local cruising season that will see her explore stunning regional ports-of-call including Milford Sound, Akaroa, Picton, Wellington, Eden, Melbourne and Brisbane, to name but a few.

Norwegian Jewel recently underwent a revitalisation as part of NCL’s Norwegian Edge® fleet refurbishment program, reaffirming the company’s commitment to elevating the standard of excellence across its fleet.

Joined in regional waters by Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Spirit; set to undergo an over US$100 million refurbishment, the company’s most extensive bow-to-stern renovation to date, Norwegian Jewel will give both local and short haul AU/NZ fly-cruise travellers even greater access to NCL’s unrivalled freedom and flexibility, world-class dining, award-winning entertainment, immersive itineraries, extensive on-board activities and wide range of accommodation options.

“Local cruisers have really embraced Norwegian Jewel, and with thanks to our valued trade partners, bookings since her first Australasian season in 2017 have exceeded all expectations - one of the key reasons she has already been confirmed for a 2020/21 local sailing season. The additional deployment of the soon-to-be refurbished Norwegian Spirit to Asia further demonstrates NCL’s long-term commitment to providing next level experiences for local cruisers, while continuing to strengthen and elevate our presence in the Asia Pacific region,” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director Norwegian Cruise Line APAC.

“The recent launch of our newest vessel, Norwegian Encore, the extensive refurbishment of Norwegian Spirit in early-2020, as well as the introduction of six new Leonardo class ships to our fleet from 2022 makes this a truly exciting time for the company both on a regional and international level,” added Mr. Angell.

Norwegian Jewel provides guests access to endless opportunities, with onboard amenities including 16 high quality dining options, ranging from Teppanyaki and sushi to French, Italian, Brazilian and pub classics, as well as a choice of 15 bars and nightclubs, boutique shopping, a library and video arcade. Outdoors, there are swimming pools, hot tubs, jogging tracks, a basketball and tennis court, as well as the Mandara Spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

With NCL renowned for award-winning entertainment, Norwegian Jewel returns with two amazing shows for guests, ‘Rock You Tonight’, packed with 70s hits from the likes of Queen, Journey and The Who, and exclusive Australian hit musical ‘Velvet’, featuring disco classics, circus acrobatics and cabaret.

During her 2019/20 season, Norwegian Jewel will embark upon scenic Australia and New Zealand voyages, including a 14-day itinerary departing Sydney on 6 December, visiting Dunedin, Marlborough (Picton) and the Bay of Islands and a 14-Day itinerary departing Sydney on 20 December where she’ll be calling on Eden, Burnie and Auckland. February 2020 sees Norwegian Jewel heading to the South Pacific for some immersive itineraries before heading across to Alaska for the 2020 North America summer season.

For more information or to book a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, please contact a travel professional; call NCL in Australia on 1300 255 200 or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283; or visit www.ncl.com

CMV announces two additional cruise ships for 2021

British-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has announced the acquisition of two more cruise ships to join its expanding ocean fleet – increasing to eight cruise ships in 2021.

The independently owned CMV Group will take delivery of P&O Australia’s Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria in Singapore on 2 March and 2 May 2021 respectively, increasing CMV’s capacity to 9,000 berths and an increase in passenger capacity by 30% in 2021.

The duo will be officially re-named in mid-2021, following dry docking in Singapore where some minor upgrades will be completed, and the ships’ livery updated. The vessels will then embark on maiden positioning voyages via the Suez Canal to Northern Europe.

Pacific Dawn (to be renamed) at 70,285grt, with 798 passenger cabins and carrying around 1,400 passengers, will be deployed to the UK market in late May 2021, bolstering much-needed capacity and cruising year-round alongside Columbus ex-London Tilbury.

Pacific Aria (to be renamed) at 55,819grt, with 630 passenger cabins and carrying around 1,100 passengers, will be deployed to the German market under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand with a much-needed increase in capacity, cruising alongside Vasco da Gama and replacing the 580 passenger Astor. Astor is being re-named Jules Verne and will be re-deployed to the French market in May 2021.

CEO Christian Verhounig commented, “The introduction of two more ships to the global ocean fleet is the next exciting chapter of our strategic growth objectives. This will enable us to service increasing market demand for our traditional brand of cruising, generated by our expanding international network of in-house sales offices and developing source markets. We have now acquired five cruise ships in just five years and are firmly on course in carrying 200,000 passengers in 2021.”

The new ship names will be unveiled later in December 2019 under CMV’s explorer theme, providing a more traditional cruise experience that can access harder-to-reach ports.

Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director, added, “As the CMV brand continues to evolve, the growing popularity of our traditional product, classic ships and destination-focused cruise programs has encouraged us to accelerate plans to add capacity to the two top European cruise markets in the UK and Germany, which represent 85% of our business.

“These two fine cruise ships perfectly complement our existing fleet, providing trade partners and consumers alike with much needed extra capacity. For 2020, we expect close to 70% of capacity to be sold by the year end, in line with expectations. This provides an ideal platform for the early introduction of new tonnage and opportunities for 2021.”

CMV Australia’s National Sales Manager, Darren Chigwidden, said, “We’re so excited to welcome these new vessels in joining our fleet. We look forward to discussing this soon with our trade partners at the upcoming inspections and events onboard as we welcome our newest ship, Vasco da Gama. Her arrival into Australian waters for the first time with CMV on Sunday marks our growth and commitment to the Australasian market.

“This growth has not only been in domestic cruising, but also in CMV’s international voyages with our small to mid-size ship offering. Having Pacific Dawn among our fleet is a great opportunity for our travel agents – who are key to our ongoing success – as they are already familiar with the unique selling points of the ship itself.

“Combined with Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ reputation for friendly, traditional service and value for money, we believe this presents a fantastic proposition for agents and their clients to venture to new destinations aboard vessels they already know and love.”

The inaugural 2021 programs will go on sale via travel trade and CMV’s international sales offices and websites during Q1-2020, with special 2021 launch incentives planned to encourage early bookings.

www.cmvaustralia.com

Return of Viking to Australian waters

The countdown is on to the return of Viking to Australian waters from December 2019. The line’s third year of operating in Australia and New Zealand will be heralded by the arrival of two of Viking’s fleet of award-winning small ships; Viking Orion and Viking Sun.

December 2019 marks Viking Orion’s return to her seasonal Sydney and Auckland home ports for the second year in a row, from where she will offer eight local cruises over three months. Meanwhile sister ship Viking Sun visits Australia in February 2020 for the third time, as she circumnavigates the globe on her Guinness World Record-setting Ultimate World Cruise, an extraordinary 245-day voyage which is the longest continuous passenger cruise on record.

Boasting the most high-tech planetarium at sea, Viking Orion will reach Australian waters on 15 December 2019 when she arrives in Darwin before sailing into Sydney on 27 December 2019. She will sail six 15-day Australia & New Zealand itineraries between Sydney and Auckland, bookended at each end of the season by the 17-day Komodo and the Australian Coast itinerary between Bali and Sydney.

Viking Sun will arrive in Hobart on 7 February 2020, the first of eight Australian destinations during her epic 245-day voyage, which visits six continents, 51 countries and 111 ports over eight months. When Viking Sun reaches Australian waters, she’ll mark day 160 of her Guinness World Record-setting voyage from London to London, with 10 Australian guests sailing the full itinerary.

Together, the two state-of-the-art 930-guest sister ships will call at 10 Australian ports and seven New Zealand ports, including major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington, as well as smaller destinations like Thursday Island, Cairns and the Whitsundays. Viking Sun and Viking Orion will offer guests no less than 16 overnight stays on Australian and New Zealand shores.

“Since launching our very first ocean ship in 2015, demand to sail from Australia and New Zealand has grown from strength to strength,” said Michelle Black, Viking’s Managing Director ANZ.

“One third of Viking’s fleet of six ocean ships will be based in our waters for a month, demonstrating both the importance of this region to Viking, and the incredible popularity of our destinations to Viking’s discerning guests,” she concluded.

Since Viking’s very first ocean ship sailed in 2015, the cruise line has won an incredible array of awards globally, making a name for itself and gaining loyal followers by offering ‘The Thinking Person’s Cruise’.

A voyage with Viking is destination focused, culturally enriching and carefully curated. Itineraries are developed with curious, experienced travellers in mind and once onboard, every detail is designed to enrich the travel experience, so that guests can deeply connect to the destinations they visit.

Viking’s all-new, all-veranda, ocean ships are engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports around the world, and each identical sister ship features understated elegance coupled with modern Scandinavian design.

Viking Sun will spend a month in Australian waters, departing Darwin on 23 February 2020 as she travels onwards to Asia, India and the Middle East. Meanwhile Viking Orion will depart Sydney bound for Bali on 20 March 2020, marking the close of three months based down under. Viking Orion will return to Australia for her third and longest ever local season in October 2020, when she will sail eight 15-day Australia & New Zealand itineraries. Plus Viking Orion’s fourth Australian season has just been announced, arriving December 2021.

For additional information, contact Viking Cruises at 138 747 (AU) or 0800 447 913 (New Zealand) or visit vikingcruises.com.au.

Silversea Silver Muse returns to Australia for longest season

This week Silversea’s flagship vessel, Silver Muse departed Singapore for Sydney, returning to Australia and New Zealand for her longest season to date. Currently in Bali, Indonesia, she will arrive in Sydney on 5 December 2019. The luxurious Silver Muse will stay in the Australia-Pacific region until the end of March, transporting guests in complete luxury on numerous sailings between Auckland and Sydney, including maiden calls in Hobart, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Silver Muse’s next port of call will be her first in Australia for the season. Arriving in Darwin on 25 November she will set sail along Australia’s east coast, making ports of call at Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane, before sailing under the harbour bridge and into Sydney. Offering guests a home away from home, the luxurious Silver Muse will sail between Sydney and Auckland, transporting guests in understated Italian elegance which is apparent on board each of Silversea’s intimate vessels.

Adam Armstrong, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Silversea Cruises said,

“We are thrilled to welcome back our stunning flagship vessel, Silver Muse to Australia and New Zealand. We are continuing to increase the range of unique destinations on offer and this season Silver Muse will make maiden ports of call in the Pacific Islands, Hobart, Bluff, Timaru and Wellington. We are absolutely committed to the growth of the Australia and New Zealand market, which we expect to soon become our second-biggest market globally.”

For those guests missing out this season, Silver Muse returns to the region in 2020, offering a complete circumnavigation Australia, where guests will have the incredible opportunity to discover one of the world’s most exhilarating continents. Departing Sydney on 31 October 2020 guests will discover the delights of Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia on this once in a lifetime voyage over 50 days, including overnights in Perth, Bali, Cairns and Sydney.”

Silversea travels over 1,000 destinations worldwide, more than any other cruise line, and its itineraries feature worldwide voyages to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions, The Russian Far East, the Galapagos Islands, Australia and New Zealand and many other fascinating destinations in between.

For more information on Silversea, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand), or visit www.silversea.com.

MSC to be carbon neutral from January 2020

                                   

- All of CO2 emissions from MSC Cruises’ fleet to be offset as of 1 January 2020 through high-grade offsets that will increasingly rely on Blue carbon credits

- The announcement comes as part of a broader vision to support UN Sustainable Development Goals and in tandem with continued investments in the accelerated development of advanced environmental technology that will allow for zero-emissions ship operations

On the occasion of the celebrations held in Hamburg, Germany for the coming into service of its most environmentally-advanced cruise ship yet – MSC Grandiosa – MSC Cruises announces its commitment to become the world’s first fully carbon neutral major global cruise line.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive chairman said: “Our focus on innovation since we built our first cruise ships only in 2003 ensures that we have one of the most modern fleets at sea as well as one of the highest environmentally performing. And, thanks to our long-term planning, this will allow us to already achieve a fleet-wide 29% reduction in carbon intensity (rate) by 2024 vs. 2008, well on our way to meet the 40% reduction target set for 2030.

Pierfrancesco Vago,
MSC Cruises Executive chairman

“Additionally, last week we announced that the LNG-powered fuel cells PACBOAT project will be hosted on board MSC Europa – the first of 5 LNG-powered cruise ships that are due to join our fleet. This is not only a world-first for a technology that promises to be most efficient for high-power maritime operations but also yet another concrete example of our firm commitment to partner and support the accelerated development of the next-generation technologies that will lead us and this industry to zero-emissions ship operations.”

“As we recognize that today’s even most advanced maritime environmental technology alone is insufficient to immediately reach carbon neutrality, the further commitment we make today ensures that our fleet makes no negative contribution to climate change, starting 1 January 2020. We are a company with over 300 years of maritime heritage and a historical focus on the long-term that is especially typical of family-owned businesses like ours. For us, this is another step forward in our long-standing commitment to protecting the oceans, the destinations we visit and the port communities we touch.”

MSC Cruises will offset all direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its fleet marine operations through a blend of carbon offset projects developed according to the highest standards by leading international entities that take immediate action on greenhouse gas emissions. All costs for the offsets as well as any other associated items will be covered directly and in full by the Company.

Mr Vago added: “We will work with leading providers in carbon offsets able to offset CO₂ emissions with the highest level of integrity. Our vision is to also invest in projects that provide quantifiable community benefits, protect the environment and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

In particular, MSC Cruises aims to develop a carbon offset portfolio that incorporates projects which protect and restore Ocean and coastal habitats while also absorbing more CO2 than currently occurs. As Blue Carbon projects focused mainly on coastal habitats are currently scarce, MSC Cruises will itself support the development of what aims to become the first carbon credits to be generated from the earth’s vast ocean, constituting an important new means for protecting and enhancing marine biodiversity and to support communities that rely on the highly pressurized resources of the sea.

Mr Vago concluded: “Blue carbon offsets will be a specific area of focus of our commitment to ensure carbon neutrality with immediate effect. We will put our people and our resources to work to also support the development of the specific type of projects, and the enabling certification processes, that can generate this innovative form of offsets which directly benefit the oceans and communities that live by the sea. As more of these become available, we will steadily increase our reliance on them as an additional area of focus within our overall long-term commitment to achieving zero-emissions operations.”

MSC Cruises’ commitment to delivering zero-emissions operations also includes a specific focus on energy efficiency and other aspects of its end-to-end operations beyond emissions. In particular, since 2017 all MSC Cruises new ships come equipped with ship-to-shore power facilities, a feature that would allow cruise ships to immediately go “zero-emissions” in any port that is ready for this technology. And this will provide even greater overall benefit when the ultimate source of shore power is renewable.

Details of MSC Cruises’ carbon neutral initiative will be revealed later today at a dedicated media briefing on board MSC Grandiosa, MSC Cruises’ newest flagship and one of the most environmentally-advanced ships at sea yet. MSC Grandiosa was delivered to the Company only last week. On the same day, MSC Cruises started construction on MSC Europa, its first of five liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ships that will come into service between 2022 and 2027.

MSC Grandiosa and MSC Europa together represent significant additional progress in terms of delivering against MSC Cruises’ objective to minimize and continuously lowering its fleet environmental footprint.