JMAK= : ( ( . / < Tuesday 02 October 2012
Carnival Spirit drops American perks Australians won’t have access to several benefits currently offered to passengers on Carnival Cruise Lines ships. IN its journey to become more Australian, Carnival Spirit has shed a few American features, including some good ones. While many of the ship’s planned enhancements are positive (such as introducing Australian currency, power points, food and drinks), other changes may be less warmly welcomed by locals. By the time Spirit moves to Sydney in two weeks, it will no longer offer many of Carnival Cruise Lines’ signature services. Ditched benefits include permission to bring onboard one bottle of wine on the day of embarkation. Every other CCL ship, including Carnival
Silversea makes history FOR the first time in its 18-year history Silversea’s Silver Cloud, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit entered the same port on the same day. The historic event took place last week, and saw the three vessels converge on Corfu, the second largest of the Ionian Islands. Both Wind and Spirit cruised into Corfu as part of seven-day sailings in the Greek Isles, whilst Silver Cloud joined the duo as part of her 12-day Mediterranean voyage from Venice to Barcelona. “Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian islands, and a land rich in history and myth,” Silversea said in a statement. “It was likely the last stop for Homer's Odysseus on his fabled journey back to his homeland of Ithaca. “For Silversea, Corfu will always carry special significance as the port that hosted an important milestone in the company's own unfolding story,” the company added.
Spirit until now, allows adult passengers to pack a 750ml bottle of wine or Champagne in their carry-on luggage to drink in their cabins or in the restaurant during their cruise. But for people boarding in Australia, no alcohol can be taken aboard. In addition, the line’s new all-you-can-drink alcohol package, which was being trialled on Spirit, will not be available in Australia. The package, known as My Awesome Bar Program, costs Americans US$42.95 per person per day, plus an automatic 15% tip ($6.44), and includes glasses of selected wines, beers, spirits and cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic drinks. However, the deal dries up when the ship starts operations down under. Other cancelled services include Bon Voyage liquor, which allowed people to pre-order bottles of spirits, wine and beer to be delivered to their cabin, and Bon Voyage gifts, which is used for buying presents for other passengers. Australians are also unable to pre-purchase soft drink packages, specialty restaurants and “fun dollars” (CCL’s version of a gift certificate) before their cruise. When CW asked Carnival Cruise Lines to explain why Australians would miss out on these seven benefits, a company spokesperson replied: “The back-of-house systems for the Australian program are different to those in the US, so we are not currently set up to offer a number of the services you mention. “As we launch our Australia program, we will be conducting a continued analysis of what may be of interest to our Aussie guests and subsequently may roll out additional offerings in the future.”
Get a Small Ship Adventure HOLIDAYMAKERS can now get their hands on The Small Ship Adventure Co’s new 20122013 brochure which features a spectacular array of luxury and deluxe small ship cruises and eco adventures in Asia, Oceania, Scandinavia, Europe, Alaska, North and South America and the South and North Pacific. The brochure features options for singles, couples, families and groups, with the Small Ship Adventure Co incorporating 20 exclusive itineraries with American Safari Cruises Innersea Discoveries and Zegrahm Expeditions. See your travel agent for a copy.
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Today’s issue of CW features five pages of the latest cruise news, plus a full page from Oceania Cruises detailing three special 2013 cruises, including a 21-day Dubai to Rome Pyramids and the Holy Lands voyage- see p6 for details.
Moorings add destinations THE Moorings has added several new bases where holidaymakers can access its sail and power yacht cruising options, including Annapolis, Maryland and Miami, Florida with stops in the scenic Keys; plus luxury crewed yacht charters from St. Thomas. In addition, the company has also added charter options Corfu, Greece. The company is also jazzing up its fleet in 2013 with over 45 new yachts, including four new extraordinary sail and power yacht models. O URN YT T ^ FL E RE .P XES. P P A RO 995 G T EU $ LUDIN IN
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BON VOYAGE Let Viking show you the real France on your next holiday. With all meals, accommodation, tours, gratuities included in the price, select one of the following: s 18-DAY GRAND TOUR OF FRANCE Paris – Nice, From $7,245 p.p* s 14-DAY TREASURES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE Nice – Chalon, From $6,045 p.p* s 8 -DAY PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY Paris – Normandy – Paris, From $2,945 p.p* s 8 -DAY PORTRAITS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE Chalon – Avignon, From $2,845 p.p* s 15-DAY FRANCE’S FINEST Avignon – Paris, From $5,645 p.p* Call 1800 River Cruise or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au
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Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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