Cruise Deals

Royal Caribbean Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:12:00 +0000

Royal Caribbean is a favourite for US cruisers in the Caribbean, but they are also a common sight in Australian and Kiwi ports. The Radiance of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas are often down under during the southern summer and visit ports all around both countries and the tropical islands to the north.

Radiance of the Seas

by prayitno Flickr Creative Commons

Whilst the ships that come to Australasia are not the fleet's largest, such as the mammoth Oasis and Allure of the Seas which would not fit in the ports, they are very large and designed for an american audience. This means lavish decoration and lots of entertainment! Royal Caribbean ships are sumptuous and a great place for a lot of luxury, entertainment and relaxation! So if that sounds like you, keep an eye out for cruises that will suit.

Dining onboard is an experience, be it in the main dining room with traditional seating times, or the many casual options and specialty restaurants. A favourite is the Park Cafe with custom and complimentary salads and sandwiches, and the Dog House on the boardwalk or Windjammer buffet for casual fare. At the other end of the scale is the Chef's Table, a specialty restaurant where a 5-course meal is matched with wines for a culinary event.

The entertainment is varied and includes most things you can think of for mid-sized ships. There is a rock climbing walls, waterslides, movie theatres and live-action theatres, a gym and spa, a solarium, and a wide range of bars, and clubs which are also live music venues or sports bars. The Radiance of the Seas even has pool tables which are self-levelling! You won't be bored on a Royal Caribbean Ship.

Consider a Royal Caribbean ship for your next cruise for some traditional american luxury in the southern hemisphere! Have a look here for great deals on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Princess Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:02:00 +0000

Princess is a British-American owned line, based in the US. However Princess ships are a common sight Down Under! They have 45 different itineraries taking place in and around Australia and New Zealand, and the Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess regularly depart from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Princess Cruises is one of the leading mid-range lines and is known for its innovation in onboard entertainment and living. The ships have an array of eateries outside of the main dining rooms, both complimentary and with a cover charge. One major advantage of a Princess cruise is free room service! Princess is a leader in onboard enrichment with their Scholarship@Sea program, and their Movies Under the Stars are a favourite amongst regular cruisers. Stepping backwards with their innovation, Princess has reinstated the tradition of friends and family coming onboard to wish farewell to passengers. For a fee, loved ones can experience lunch and a tour- maybe getting the cruising bug themselves!

The Sun Princess

by Brent Ozar Flickr Creative Commons

A Princess cruise is always fun and multicultural, and they are beggining to pay close attantion to the booming Australasian market, so keep an eye out for one that suits you!

Click here for amazing Princess cruises down under!

P&O Cruises Australia

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

P&O Australia is a favourite for Aussie and Kiwi cruisers. Their ships are aimed at a fun-loving and laidback down under market. They are equipped with great outdoor activities such as rock climbing, mini-golf, pools and water play areas for the kids, and give cruisers the opportunity to eat on a flexible schedule with Your Choice Dining and casual meals by the pool or at the buffet. Sports are also available- the Pacific Pearl is equipped for cricket, basketball and running.

The Pacific Dawn and Pacific Pearl have both recently undergone upgrades to bring them more in line with the Pacific Jewel, bringing exciting new features to the line such as Luke Mangan's Salt Grill restaurant, providing amazing food at a small cover charge. The bars around the ships have also been upgraded, and flat-screen TVs added to all cabins, as well as a giant LED screen on the pool deck so passengers can watch movies in the open air.

Children will be well looked after on P&O Australia ships, with 3 children's centres aimed at specific age groups. These are Turtle Cove for 3-6 year olds, Shark Shack for 7-10 year olds and HQ and HQ+ for 11-17 year olds. These are free, with entertainment and activities aimed at the ages in question, such as arts, crafts, movies and scavenger hunts for the littlies, the same plus interactive talent shows and playstation competitions for the older ones, and sports competitions, pizza and mocktail parties, hiphop classes, sports comps and gaming for the teens.

Kids and Teens club venues:

The ships have all you could need on a cruise- pools, great food options, activities, live entertainment, spa treatments and more, and, beside the ships being geared towards a down-under attitude, the added advantage of P&O Australia for the Australasian market is that the ships are based here and the cruises are available often and from all major ports. There are tropical islands at our doorstep, and P&O Australia is making it easy for Aussies and Kiwis to get there!

Have a look here for some greal deals on P&O Australia cruises!

P&O Favourite in Dry Dock

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:51:00 +0000

The Pacific Dawn, a favourite of the P&O Australia fleet, is now in dry dock, and renovations are beginning- an exciting development for those who cruise on her. Upgrades will include a big screen, changes to some bars and venues to bring them more in line with the Pacific Pearl and Jewel, and some new restaurants.

Some cabins will become interconnected for families, and the suites and mini-suites are getting a revamp. Regular Pacific Dawn cruisers, take note: the naming of cabins will change during the dry dock. Cabin numbers previously starting with A will now start with 11, B will be replaced with 10, C with 9, D with 8, E with 6, P with 5 and F with 4. For example, what was C126 will now be 9126.

Here are some dry dock pics from P&O Australia's facebook page:

Looks impressive from this angle!

Lifeboats waiting to be reclaimed

The screen arrives

The business end

Waterblasting

Goodbye to the Bengal Tiger

Vancouver Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Vancouver cruises leave from Port Metro Vancouver. It has two terminals, named Canada Place and Ballantyne. Canada Place is located at 999 Canada Place, and Ballantyne at 655 Centenniel Road. These are both right in downtown Vancouver, making the city easily accessible to cruise passengers. They are both highly regarded for bagagge handling and customer service. Many cruises to Alaska leave from here.

Ship Docked at Canada Place

by Thomas Quine Flickr Creative Commons

The city of Vancouver is a wonderful place to spend a few days at the beginning or end of your cruise. Its residents pride themselves on the multicultural and eco-friendly nature of their hometown, and it is consistently judged one of the world's most liveable cities. It is also known for its natural beauty, situated between the mountains and the sea.

Stanley Park, bigger even than New York's Central Park, has 200km of walking tracks including 8km of pleasant strolling along the sea wall. It is a true urban oasis and a great spot to visit. The city's Aquarium is another major attraction, which has not only a variety of creatures on display but a funtioning marine research centre. Granville Island, a peninsula in the city centre, is host to great markets, theatres and galleries. Vancouver won't disappoint!

Check out cruises departing from Vancouver and more info on Port Metro Vancouver.

Los Angeles Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:39:00 +0000

Los Angeles' cruise terminal is grandly named the World Cruise Centre. It is located in San Pedro, 30 minutes from central LA on the I-110. Parking is available with a shuttle from the parking lot to the terminal. The Centre has berths for 3 ships. Four lines have homeport agreements there, and many, many others call there during the year.

by Wilson Loo Kok Wee Flickr Creative Commons

Los Angeles is amongst the most famous cities in the world, mostly for its residents, many of whom are famous themselves. It is a place of glamour and the hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive and tours of stars' homes. Up your chances of seeing celebs by dining somewhere hip like the Ivy or Koi (if you can get a reservation!) and walking Rodeo Drive. See the Walk of Fame on the Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, and people-watch to your heart's content at Venice Beach.

L.A has some great options if you have the time to travel a bit out of town, so are great for embarking or disembarking passengers who can take a day or two one side of the cruise. Disneyland is chief amongst these options. A real must-do for visitors to L.A! It is 25 miles northeast of downtown LA, in Anaheim. Santa Monica Pier is another favourite destination with it's famous pier, and Laguna Beach and Malibu are beach towns within easy driving distance.

Check out cruises departing from Los Angeles and more info on the World Cruise Centre.

Venice Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:50:00 +0000

Venice's cruise terminal is located on Tronchetto Island in the northwest of the city. Ferries and hydrofoils also leave from here, making it a bustling waterway. Many of the cruise companies offer a free shuttle to the terminal from Piazzale Roma, and a private taxi from there takes around 5 minutes. Bus Line 6 also goes very close to the Cruise Terminal.

Ship Visiting Venice

by ryanfb Flickr Creative Commons

The city of Venice needs no introduction- it is widely hailed as a place of beauty, art and romance. Instead of honking cars on dusty streets, it has gondolas paddled on canals by gorgeous Italians. Visit the Piazza San Marco, home to many amazing churches, buildings and galleries. See some amazing glasswork on the islands of Murano, or shop for a genuine venetian mask. Tour the city from the water and marvel at the engineering of a city built on a lagoon, or wander the streets and piazzas to spot artisans, architecture and find great gelaterias and pizzerias!

Have a look here for cruises departing from Venice and more information on the Venice Cruise Terminal.

Southampton Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:39:00 +0000

Southampton, the UK's major cruise port, has 4 cruise terminals over 2 miles of waterfront. These are called Mayflower, City, Ocean and Queen Elizabeth. They are not far from central Southampton and about 80 miles from London.

Southampton Docks

by Jim Linwood Flickr Creative Commons

Southampton itself, although often used just as a cruise gateway to London, is a very interesting city in itself, especially for those interested in all things nautical. From being a port of transit for the Norman conquerors, cnetre for shipbuilding in the Middle Ages and the No. 1 Military Embarkation Point during the Great War, to its current status as the major cruise port and important cargo point for the UK, Southampton has a rich maritime history. The SeaCity Museum is the best place to learn about the city's relationship with the ocean, and the Titanic Trail takes you to see its links with the great and unlucky liner, from memorials for various groups onboard to the places where passengers would have embarked.

For great shopping, eating and people watching, try the Ocean Village marina development. Stonehenge is not far out of the city, and the Isle of Wight makes a great scenic day trip. The New Forest is also nearby, the largest area of unenclosed forest and pasture in England.

See here for cruises departing from Southampton and more information on the Southampton cruise terminals.

Singapore Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:19:00 +0000

Ships to Singapore dock at the purpose-built Singapore Cruise Centre, which makes getting on and off the ship simple and easy. Located in Keppel Harbour, it is about 15 minutes from the city centre and right next to one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore. Due to open in 2013 is an even bigger and better cruise terminal, the International Cruise Terminal, which will accomodate the world's largest ships.

Singapore By Night

by Yutaka Tsutano Flickr Creative Commons

Singapore is truly a world city. It is hugely multicultural, modern and a leader in commerce, culture, tourism and numerous other fields. Singapore can be considered somewhat sterile, as it is crazily clean and tidy, as well as having a very low crime rate, but in fact despite the extreme order it is a fascinating melting pot. If you have a few hours to spare and want to chill out, just sit in a cafe and watch the whole world go by! The city is in fact a city-state, and is on an island connected to mainland Malaysia by bridges, and the population is made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Filipinos, Thais and a huge number of other ethnic groups.

Shopping is highly rated in Singapore, and Orchard Road is the spot for it. For a more natural pastime, the Botanic Gardens are a great place for a walk. Art galleries, museums and other forms of entertainment abound. There is also a zoo, a Universal Studios and various other theme parks, and neverending bars, restaurants, clubs and just things to do in general.

Have a look here for cruises departing from Singapore and more information about the cruise port.

Auckland Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Auckland is growing in popularity as a cruise destination, and has several options for cruise ship docking. Princes Wharf Passenger Terminal is the main one of these, and Queen's Wharf is used as a secondary dock when needed. These are located right in the downtown area, right near the main drag of Queen Street and the Britomart transport centre.

Auckland as seen from Princes Wharf

by Aidan Flickr Creative Commons

Auckland city offers many options to pass a day. The War Memorial Museum is located in the hilly park of the Auckland Domain and is New Zealand's most significant museum and collection. The Maritime Museum and trendy viaduct area of bars and restaurants is just around the corner from the cruise wharves. The Britomart precinct, mixing heritage buildings with modern ones, is a great place for coffee and people-watching, and around the Aotea Square halfway up Queen Street you will find the Aotea Centre with ballets, music shows and other entertainment, as well as iMax, New Zealand's largest movie screen.

Outside of the central city, there are many more things to see, so if you are embarking or disembarking in Auckland take some time to see the Waitakeres mountain range and the wild black sand beaches out west, or the sedate swimming beaches of the North Shore.

See here for cruises departing from Auckland and more information on the Auckland cruise terminals.

Perth Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:10:00 +0000

The Port of Perth, and its cruise terminal, is actually located in the neighbouring and much smaller city of Fremantle. The trip into Perth's city centre is only 30 minutes. The quickest way is by train from Fremantle's stunning Victorian-era railway station.

Perth

by eGuide Travel Flickr Creative Commons

The city of Perth is located on the Swan River, 20km inland from the coastline where Western Australia meets the Indian Ocean. It stands alone on the west coast, and is one of the most remote cities on the planet- its nearest decent-sized neighbour being Darwin over 2,000 kilometres away. The Swan River foreshore is a great place for strolling and stopping at a cafe, and Perth is a well-laid out city so you can explore museums, shops and gardens with ease.

Out on the coast, Cottesloe Beach is a favourite spot for swimming and sunbathing, or you could take a boat trip out to Rottnest Island. The nature-lovers will find plenty to do in Perth. Midgegooroo National Park is close to the city, and Lake Monger 10 minutes away is a hotspot for bird watching. For great views of the city and river, climb the DNA Tower in King's Park.

Check here for cruises departing from Perth and more info on the passenger terminal.

Fremantle Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:34:00 +0000

Cruises to Fremantle (the smaller neighbouring city to Perth) dock at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal on Victoria Quay. The terminal is located just inside the Inner Harbour and very close to central Fremantle, so you can find all you need in the way of shops, bars and the rest just by getting off the ship and walking for a few minutes.

Fremantle is known as Freo by the locals and is very close to the bigger Perth, but distinct culturally. It is known and loved for its beautiful heritage buildings. If you are interested in history, there are numerous heritage trails that snake through the city- the Convict Trail, Maritime Heritage Trail, the Discovery Trail, the Writers Walk and more. If you are there in the weekend, be sure to visit the Fremantle Markets, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The open-air section is a wonderland of fresh food and produce including amazing seafood, and inside there are stalls with locals selling everything from homewares to photography. As a port city, there are many ocean-based activities on offer from Fremantle- swimming with dolphins, kayak tours, or just eating fish and chips overlooking the fishing boats!

Fremantle Harbour and Maritime Museum

by Mark Pegrum Flickr Creative Commons

Fremantle is a great base for visiting Western Australia- so if you are embarking or disembarking there, take a few days to see the sights from laidback Freo.

See here for cruises departing from Fremantle and more information on the Fremantle cruise terminal.

Melbourne Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:34:00 +0000

Station Pier is the cruise terminal for Melbourne, and is only 3km from the CBD, on the coast in Hobson's Bay. The city centre is based around the Yarra River, and easy to reach from the terminal with public transport, especially the handy Melbourne trams.

Station Pier

by Daryl Cook Flickr Creative Commons

Melbourne has a reputation to uphold as one of the world's most liveable cities, and the culture capital of Australia. It has a stately New England air when compared to places like the Gold Coast, and is welcoming, laid back and elegant. Walking around the city is made easy as everything is centralised. Timeless architecture and great restaurants and bars make up the inner city scene. The city is intersected with leafy parks and walking paths, including the Fitzroy and Royal Botanic Gardens.

The city is very multicultural and diverse, so be sure to check out a few of Melbourne's many neighbourhoods and eateries.Federation Square is a hub of activity, with galleries, cinemas, shops and cafes surrounding an open area often used for concerts.St Paul's Cathedral is a must-visit spot for those with a love for architecture and history, and on Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday, Queen Victoria Markets tantalise locals and visitors with fresh produce, delis, eateries and clothing stalls.

Look here for cruises leaving from Melbourne port and more detailed information on the cruise terminal.

Sydney Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:15:00 +0000

Sydney is Australia's only cruise destination with two dedicated cruise terminals- and with the rising number of ships heading down under to be based out of Sydney, it needs them! The Overseas Passenger Terminal is located before the bridge in Circular Quay, and Wharf 5 in Barangaroo, inside the bridge in Darling Harbour. Both of these are very close to the city centre, making it a simple business to get off the ship and look around. These two world-class facilities are making Sydney one of the world's most highly regarded cruise destinations- and it is certainly Australasia's best.

Circular Quay

by Terrazzo Flickr Creative Commons

Sydney is an amazing world city. Sailing into the harbour and spotting the Harbour Bridge and curving roof of the famous Opera House is an experience not to be forgotten! If you dock at Circular Quay, these two attractions are close at hand- it is located handily in between the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It is also a major transport hub, and public transport is close at hand at Barangaroo too.

To truly experience Sydney, just get off the ship and go for a wander- the best shopping is right there in the CBD. There are also several museums, including the Hyde Park Barracks, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Sydney and more. The historic Rocks district near Circular Quay is home to heritage buildings and the city's oldest pubs, and also near the Quay are the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

A favourite activity in Sydney is to take the Manly ferry across the harbour to visit the laid-back peripheral neighbourhood of Manly. There is a lot to offer in this seaside resort- beaches of course, great food and shopping, scenic and heritage walks, numerous golf clubs and parks.

Have a look here for cruises departing from Sydney port and more information about the cruise ports.

Brisbane Cruise Port

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:09:00 +0000

Cruises from the sunny Brisbane leave from the International Cruise Terminal, which is 10km from the city centre. If you don't have your own transport, there are regular buses running from central Brisbane. The terminal is home to Portside, with apartments, restaurants, bars, retail and other facilities- so you don't need to stray far from the ship if you don't want to!

by eGuide Travel Flickr Creative Commons

As a port stop or an embarkation/disembarkation port, there is a lot to see and do once in the city proper. The South Bank is a cultural mecca and has 17 acres of parkland and museums, galleries and walking tracks. The city's retail hub is Queen Street, and there are beautiful Botanic Gardens and the State Art Gallery with a huge collection of amazing Aboriginal works. The river snakes through the city and out into Moreton Bay, and is put to use as a main travel artery, so take a ferry to see the sights from a different angle.

If you are willing to venture out of the city, the delights of the Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise are only an hour away and are Australia's riviera- where the surf and sand meet the high-rise city. The hinterland behind this coast is just as amazing, if a little less bustling. Lush rainforest and many vineyards offer amazing scenery.

Find cruises leaving from Brisbane port, and more detailed information about the port itself here.

Retire at Sea?

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Most retirees can't afford the minimum $1 million entry price for a suite on a condominium cruise ship like The World, a ship full of luxury private residences at sea which continuously circumnavigates the globe. What a lifestyle that would be! However, for retired cruise lovers there are ways to maximise your time at sea.

When not working, you are freed up to take advantages of the best deals whenever they may arise- no worrying about busy periods at work, school holidays and the like which narrow many people's options severely. You can take advantage of last-minute deals- Cruise Sale Finder often has as much as 70% off cruises as departure date nears, and with reduced responsibilities, these deals are perfect for retirees. Imagine the excitement of booking a cruise that departs in two weeks! Repositioning cruises are often cheaper, and allow for a wider range of sights and experiences as the ship moves between two parts of the world. The opportunities for retirees are endless!

Another option is a world cruise. Anyone working is unlikely to have the time for this, but for those retired who have the cash- and these are very reasonably priced- a world cruise would be an incredible experience. These can take up to 1/3 of the year, so you could even do a short-term let on your house to recoup some costs! Here are some world cruises- this one even leaves from Sydney! Some cruises are very long but do not quite do a full circumnavigation, like this Grand Exotic Expedition.

The opportunities are endless when you are retired- cheaper cruises, longer cruises and varied destinations. make your retirement amazing by spending time at sea!

Have a look here for great cruise deals.

P.S Wouldn't it be nice, though?

Green Thunder Inaugurated- Are Australians Daredevils?

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:24:00 +0000

Carnival Spirit is coming Down Under. She will be based in Sydney from October 2012, and Carnival has been making preparations for her hemisphere shift, with additions to make the ship more 'Aussie focused.'

Carnival Spirit

by platibolo Flickr Creative Commons

One addition is already making a splash... literally. The Green Thunder, the steepest and fastest waterslide at sea, has been installed and was inaugurated in January, after it's name was chosen in a Facebook competition. Once you have stepped into the slide and reassured the attendant that you are sure you want to do this, the floor drops away and you freefall until the slide curves you out over the side of the ship then back in, at a breathtaking 65km/h.

For the kids, a huge bucket called the Power Drencher has been added to the water playzone to get them extra soaked. To stay warm and get the blood pumping, they can then try out the smaller and somewhat less nerve-wracking waterslide called the Twister.

What can you do with your Power Drenched and hyped-up kids after a morning at the waterpark? Leave them with the staff at Camp Carnival and go in search of Serenity, of course! Another addition to the ship is the adult's only area, Serenity. On deck 9, this is comprised mainly of places to relax- chaise lounges, hammocks, chairs and other sitting/lying options, as well as a bar and a whirlpool.

These changes are very exciting for anyone planning to sail on the Carnival Spirit (despite Carnival's subtle suggestion that we down here are crazy thrill seekers who hate children!) and will make for an exciting cruise atmosphere. If you are looking to cruise from Sydney next summer, make sure you have a look at the many Carnival Spirit cruises. Also, keep a look out on here in the next few weeks for pictures as I get a first-hand look at the Green Thunder when I sail on Carnival Spirit on the 25th of March from San Diego.

Dreaming of a Cunard Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Cunard is all about luxury, glamour and nostalgia for the days of the great ocean liners unhurriedly crossing oceans and getting passengers to their destinations in stately style. Service is first-class, food is impeccable and style abounds- the perfect atmosphere not only for a holiday, but for the wedding of your dreams. Cunard is now, after 171 years of plying the seas, offering passengers the chance to exchange vows and celebrate in style onboard.

by Gary Bembridge Flickr Creative Commons

Starting this year, wedding packages will be available which include a ceremony performed by the captain, flowers and cake, traditional music, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, the services of a wedding co-coordinator, and numerous other details right down to the invitations and thank you cards. Couples will have a wedding that is easy and stress-free with most things organised for them, and capture the romance of a traditional sea voyage- imagine Rose and Jack on the Titanic, without the tragic ending.

by Allen Flickr Creative Commons

The wedding initiative has been made possible by a re-flagging of the fleet- they are now registered in Hamilton, Bermuda rather than Southampton. Ships flagged under the U.K are not allowed to offer wedding except in port, but this move means that Cunard is free to do so- but can still fly the red ensign as Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory.

See here for Cunard cruises.

Cruise Republic Gets the Bronze

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:20:00 +0000

The International Cruise Council is an association of the leading cruise lines that is dedicated to the industry of cruising worldwide. Part of what they do is recognising the leading travel agents who make the cruise industry what it is, and the International Cruise Council Australasia Cruise Industry Awards were held in the Sydney Hilton Hotel on Saturday night, and Cruise Republic was happy to receive the Bronze in the 'Cruise Agency of the Year 2011- New Zealand' category. Well done to our great Cruise Consultants!

Ryan accepting the award

Milford Sound- Scenic Cruising

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Cruising Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sound (sounds like some of the names of the 7 dwarfs) is my one of my favourite cruise experiences. I cruised Fjordland on the Pacific Princess and it is probably because of this experience the Pacific Princess rates as my favourite ship.

It was a very calm morning when we arrived at the entrance of Milford Sound. Mist was rolling out of the sound, creating a very dramatic cruise experience that everyone who was up on deck that morning would never forget. Although it was a calm morning and in the NZ summer, it was very chilly up on deck so crew were there to hand out blankets to passengers who needed to warm up and they also were serving hot drinks, which was a nice touch.

As we went into the Sound, the beauty was simply breath taking and it is such a beautiful destination for scenic cruising, as it is scenic in the extreme- 15km of majestic mountains and cliffs dropping straight into the crystal-clear waters of the valley carved by glaciers. Stunning! It draws many visitors from all over the world each year, but isolation and geography mean that most see the sound by boat, and create little to no impact on the environment, leaving it unspoiled. Highlights are the magnificent Stirling Falls and soaring Mitre Peak at 1600m..

Our Millford Sound experience was so special that a tender boat was lowered and the ships photographer boarded the tender craft to take photos of the ship and capture the experience. At the time I was working for Carnival Australia hosting a group of travel agents onboard so I was able to speak with him later that day and ask for copies of the photos. Unfortunately I did not get his name so can not credit him with these photos displayed below. I am sure you will agree they are stunning and capture that misty morning perfectly.

As the day went on the mist cleared and we were greeted with a clear blue sky. This made for the perfect day for scenic cruising Doubtful and Dusky Sound. They were equally as beautiful but without being so dramatic as Milford. However they gave more of a feeling of being untouched and less visited than Milford. As the day went on and the sun came out I remember lying in the pool (still working very hard) thinking I love cruising and what a great job I had.

Many cruise lines offer scenic cruising in Milford Sound so look for it on any itinerary that cruises to and around New Zealand before you book. It is important to point out that Milford Sound does possess the ability to disappoint. The weather in this region can be extreme and when it turns bad, making a visit by a cruise ship is not possible so the sounds can sometimes be missed because of weather.

See our great Milford Sound cruise deals and cruises on the Pacific Princess at Cruise Sale Finder.

Queen Elizabeth Down Under

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:04:00 +0000

The great ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth has graced our shores as part of its 2012 World Voyage. Cunard Line is known for impeccable service and true british luxury, and is gearing up to celebrate the human Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. 2012 marks 60 years of her reign, and to honour the Queen, the three Cunard ships Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary(sold out) and Queen Victoria will berth together in Southampton on the 5th of June in a rare 'meeting of the monarchs.'

Until then, they are sailing the seven seas- with the QE spending late February down under. We spotted the regal, 100,000-tonne liner at princes Wharf in Auckland on the 20th, and she then headed down to the Capital before traversing the Tasman to Australia. She will then make her way back home to Southampton and do some short European cruises before the big celebration.

The Queen Elizabeth in Auckland

Poised Pool Tables

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:04:00 +0000

A video showing the amazing self-leveling pool tables aboard Radiance of the Seas- the floor is moving, but those balls are staying perfectly still!

The Love Boat!

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:24:00 +0000

It's the great divide when it comes to cruising- (usually older) couples enjoying a sedate holiday, or crazy young singles out for a good time and a party. For Erin Picard and Todd O'Neill of Peabody, Massachussets, their cruise was somewhere in the middle.

In 2010, Erin was having a hard time working several jobs and looking after her sick grandmother when she took a cruise to Bermuda with a girlfriend- and met Todd. The two spent the whole cruise together, and now are engaged. Erin's mother remembered receiving an overjoyed phone call from her daughter, telling her how amazing the ship, food and staff were, and that she had met the love of her life.

After they got engaged, Erin's mom emailed the cruise line just to share with them the happy story and it's great ending- and the line got in contact with them. After learning they weren't planning a honeymoon, Norwegian Cruise Lines offered Erin and Todd a 12-night Mediterranean cruise as a wedding gift. The cruise will take place onboard the Norwegian Spirit, the very ship where they first met.

A real story of love on a cruise ship! Great stuff, Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Norwegian Spirit

by Purple Slog Flickr Creative Commons

Rhapsody Refurbishment

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas is due to be fitted out in March as part of the line's Royal Advantage program, which will bring the mid-sized ships more in line with the Oasis and Allure, their newest and largest ships.

The refurbishment will give the Rhapsody many of the dining options mentioned in an earlier post about the Radiance of the Seas- Izumi, a Japanese restaurant, Giovanni's Table for Italian, the Chop's Grille and the fine-dining Chef's Table, as well as the complimentary Park Cafe deli.

Wifi will be made available throughout the ship, and flat-screen televisions put in all rooms and a big screen by the pool. A very cool tech feature that Royal Caribbean is also bringing to guest cabins is iPads- they can be used to access timetables, onboard accounts (only your own of course!) and make restaurant reservations. Is this the future of cruising?

The centrum atrium will get a make-over, with the hanging sculpture being taken down to make room for aerial acrobatics, and several of the public space and bars will be changed.

Rhapsody of the Seas
by Rennett Stowe Flickr Creative Commons

Disney's Fantasy Arrives

noreply@blogger.com (anonymous) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:45:00 +0000

Disney Cruise Lines is set to become a 4-ship line very soon with the handover of their latest ship tomorrow- the Disney Fantasy.

The ship has been undergoing sea trials in the North Sea after construction in Papenberg, Germany, and will be officially handed over to Disney on Thursday the 9th Feb in Bremerhaven. It will leave the Continent on the 16th and, after a transatlantic crossing stopping in several places, will arrive in New York on the 1st of March for it's christening, starting cruises from Florida on the 31st of March.

The ship will be a sister to Disney Dream, and will provide the amazing Disney experience that is so good for families. Interactive entertainment will include a new concept dinner called 'Animation Magic,' during which diners can draw their own characters on placemats and 'Imagineers' will draw a cartoon in which the character interacts with traditional Disney characters. A movie theatre will show first-run 3D Disney movies, and there will be a wide range of shows in the Walt Disney Theatre. Disney is of course known for its entertainment, and its cruise line doesn't disappoint. A Disney Cruise will be a magical experience for the young ones- and the older ones too, due to the great Adult-Only areas of which Disney ships often have plenty!

by pop culture geek Flickr Creative Commons