JMAK= : ( ( . / < Tuesday 12 June 2012
Sherry: time to improve Qld ports Carnival chief Ann Sherry has called for action on the “significant challenges” facing ports in Brisbane and Cairns. THE full potential of Australia’s cruise industry will not be realised until problems at Queensland’s two main cruise ports are addressed, according to Ann Sherry, CEO, Carnival Australia. “Infrastructure gaps at Brisbane and Cairns have become more obvious as a result of cruise industry growth, combined with the
The Captain scrubs up CAPTAIN Cook Cruises Fiji has announced the completion of a soft refurbishment of all outdoor and indoor furnishings onboard the MV Reef Endeavour. As a result of the makeover, the vessel now sports new modern furniture around the pool, new sun lounges on B deck and on the sun deck, as well as new carpet and furniture in the ship’s lounge and dining areas. In addition, Endeavour’s staterooms now feature new linen. The mini-makeover follows Endeavour’s extensive renovation last year which saw the installation of several new suites, the creation of interconnecting family rooms, and a refurbishment of the ship’s spa and gym. “These rebuilds and refurbishments complete a whole new experience for our many repeat passengers and give something exciting and unique for passengers embarking on their first cruise,” said Jackie Charlton, CEO, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji. For more details on the ship and its Fijian itineraries, see your local travel agent, or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
trend to larger cruise ships,” Sherry told Cruise Weekly. “If unaddressed, these gaps will constrain further growth and limit cruising’s economic contribution.” The Brisbane facility is “too far up the river”, thus limiting access by superliners, she said. “Brisbane needs a dedicated deepwater cruise terminal to accommodate an increasing number of larger ships. “The cruise port is also the most expensive in Australia, despite its size restrictions.” Cairns, on the other hand, “works effectively, unlike many ports in Australia”, Sherry said. “Unfortunately, most ships can’t get into the port until it is dredged.” Carnival Australia supports current plans to dredge Trinity Inlet to enable larger cruise ships to dock in the heart of Cairns. “Current arrangements at the Yorkey’s Knob anchorage are suboptimal to Cairns realising its full potential as a cruise destination and for the real value of cruising to be captured,” Sherry said. “Cairns has great potential as a key destination in northern Australia linking through to destinations to our north, including Papua New Guinea.” Sherry acknowledged that some progress had been made by state and local government authorities, which “recognise and value cruising’s contribution to the economy, jobs and to businesses through the ‘multiplier effect’ of cruising.” Sherry also emphasised that improving facilities in Queensland was important from a national perspective because the state was “part of an itinerary package” for visiting international ships. “Australia’s cruise destinations depend on each other to get it right on infrastructure,” she said. “Upgrading port facilities would help ensure Australia remains attractive and competitive as a cruise destination. “This is increasingly important as we see cities in Asia, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, investing strongly in cruise infrastructure,” she added.
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CW Pictured above: new deck furniture onboard MV Reef Endeavour
Today’s issue of Cruise Weekly features four pages of all the latest cruise news.
Princess honoured by ports THE ports of San Francisco in the USA and Victoria in Canada have bestowed Princess Cruises with awards for the cruise line’s environmental efforts. San Francisco awarded Sea Princess and Sapphire Princess its Cruise Ship Environmental Award for the pairs reduction in air emissions, advanced wastewater management, and recycling and disposal programs; whilst Victoria bestowed Golden Princess, Island Princess, Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess with its Ogden Point Eco Award for using low sulfur fuel.
RCI in the Tony Awards AS a result of a new partnership between Royal Caribbean International and the Tony Awards, the cast of Oasis of the Seas’ Hairspray will perform a number in the ship’s Opal Theatre as part of the Tony Awards program. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Tony Awards to give the audience a taste of our genuine Broadway productions, which include Saturday Night Fever, as well as the Tony award-winning musicals Hairspray and Chicago: The Musical,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
AMA’s French inspiration CRUISERS looking for French itineraries will be thrilled to learn that AmaWaterways has unveiled two new 2013 itineraries: Paris and Normandy, and The Jewels of France. “These itineraries take our guests through the heart of France,” said AmaWaterways Founder Rudi Schreiner. “From the design of the French balconies onboard our ships to the locally-sourced ingredients, menu selections and wines, AmaWaterways combines old-world French charm with a luxury travel experience,” he added. The Paris and Normandy itinerary is a sevennight cruise which takes place onboard the AmaLegro down the Seine River, taking guests to Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Les Andelys, Conflans, Barcelona, Perpignan, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Treveux and Lyon. Meanwhile the new Jewels of France itinerary includes seven nights on the Rhone and seven nights on the Seine and begins with three-nights in Barcelona before boarding AmaDagio to cruise through France’s wine regions, and then disembarking in Lyon to travel to Paris to board the AmaLegro for cruising in northern France.
Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: info@cruiseweekly.com.au
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