FTB42: Bravo! Encore

ISSUE 42 SUMMER 2014/15

bridge from the

Walk the gold carpet

On board Princess Cruises’ new ship Regal Princess

The ‘suite’ spot

Avalon Waterways invites the outside in PRESENTED WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF:

BR AVo! encore Join performing artists on Radiance of the Seas

AN

ENCORE

Bravo!

FOR

Put your hands together for Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts 2015 featuring an impressive line-up of Australian and international talent.

WORDS: RODERICK EIME

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adies and gentlemen, it’s time to pack your sequins and tuxedos for an encore performance of Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts—that incomparable at-sea performance by an ensemble of artists on board one of the world’s most celebrated cruise ships, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas.

Following the unprecedented success of the 2014 event, and under exclusive charter with Cruiseco, Radiance of the Seas will sail again from her summer homeport of Sydney on October 24, 2015, playing host to a stunning cavalcade of Australian and international performers for Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts 2015.

Headlined by such luminaries as Katherine Jenkins OBE, James Morrison, Liz Callaway,

Radiance of the Seas will cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia 2 SUMMER 2014/15

David Hobson, Suzanne Johnston, Judi Connelli, David Shannon, Jonathon Welch, the Grigoryan Brothers and Jane Rutter, this superb constellation of stars from classical backgrounds, musicals, showtime and theatre will perform in a variety of roles for the entire 8-night itinerary.

Meet the performers

Rarely do music-themed cruises offer such a lavish and extensive ensemble of talented artists across so many disciplines of the performing arts. And, for the first time, Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts 2015 will also include a special opera performance: ‘Opera Australia Presents: Great Opera Hits from the Sydney Opera House’. >

Cover Story | FROM THE BRIDGE

Welsh mezzo-soprano, singer and songwriter Katherine Jenkins OBE is at the top of the bill for the 2015 event.

The Centrum is one of five spectacular venues on board

Mezzo-soprano Suzanne Johnston, awardwinning singer and actress Judi Connelli, West End performer David Shannon, classical guitar duo Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, and acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter will also perform.

What’s more, Australia’s longest continuously running professional theatre company, the Ensemble Theatre, is joining the cruise with a specially constructed production.

For dedicated performing arts aficionados, the prospect of seeing so many exceptional performers in such a short time, at a price that’s comparable to a regular cruise, is an opportunity too good to pass up.

Meet the locals

Get in the swing of things with Australian jazz vocalist Emma Pask

Broadway singer Liz Callaway is sure to appeal

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Welsh mezzo-soprano, singer and songwriter Katherine Jenkins OBE is at the top of the bill for the 2015 event. Awarded an OBE this year, Jenkins shot to fame in 2003 when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour of Pope John Paul II’s silver jubilee, and she went on to release her critically acclaimed debut album in 2004.

Homegrown talent is not overlooked either.

James Morrison, the multi-instrumental Australian jazz musician best known for his golden trumpet, is set to blow the roof off with his powerful performances. The opening fanfare at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which he composed and performed, is a good indication of the spectacle you can expect of a night with Morrison. Jazz singer Emma Pask, who was discovered by Morrison, will also be livening up the stage, along with David Hobson, an operatic tenor born in Ballarat, and fellow countryman, choral conductor, opera singer and voice teacher Jonathon Welch.

Chicago-born Broadway singer Liz Callaway is sure to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

In addition to her many appearances in stage productions, movie-goers might recognise her voice as that of female characters in animated films, including Anya/Anastasia in Anastasia, Odette in The Swan Princess and the adult Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.

Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts 2015 offers plenty of entertainment onshore as well, with full-day visits to the beautiful New Caledonian ports of Mare and Noumea and Vanuatu’s Mystery Island. These three ports of call are among the all-time favourite cruising destinations of Australians, and for good reason.

Mare is an island straight out of fantasy tales of the South Pacific, with soft white-sand beaches and crystal-clear azure waters that beg to be enjoyed. Catch a bus or hire a bicycle to go to picture-perfect Yedjele Beach, where you can buy freshly cut coconut or just-cooked lobster from the friendly locals and laze away the afternoon in a nice spot in the shade, the ocean breeze gently caressing your hair.

If you fancy some exploring, head around the corner to the hidden wonderland of Petheon Caves, where lush rainforest meets magical, stalactite-filled caves and natural freshwater swimming pools.

The capital of New Caledonia, Noumea is the balmy, French-infused ‘little Riviera’ with fabulous sun-drenched swimming beaches and a cosmopolitan vibe. The sassy red colour of the island’s poincianas (aka flame trees) certainly creates a sense of drama, as does the multi-ethnic, music-filled atmosphere of Noumea Market, where locals sell a range of fresh produce, arts, crafts and seafood. Make sure you drop in to the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, which showcases the history of local Kanak culture inside a structurally unique building designed

by Italian architect Renzo Piano.

Mystery Island, according to the local tale, was the name bestowed on the island

by Queen Elizabeth II, who visited in 1975 aboard the royal yacht Britannia. It’s a virtually

Cover Story | FROM THE BRIDGE

Prepare to be wowed when virtuoso James Morrison performs

The multi-instrumental Australian jazz musician best known for his golden trumpet is set to blow the roof off.

SELLING FAST

Japanese restaurant Izumi offers à la carte sushi

uninhabited island, so it’s easy to relax under your own palm tree or private spot on the sand and pretend you’ve been washed up on a deserted island. Villagers from Aneityum island come across by boat to sell handicrafts, clothes and fresh seafood, and you can even have your photo taken in the Mystery Island Cannibal Soup Pot with a so-called local ‘cannibal’ or two.

Meet the ship

Main productions will take place in Radiance of the Seas’ state-of-the-art, three-level Aurora Theatre. The massive Arctic-themed

auditorium has sculpted balconies, side walls and parterre divisions resembling glacial landscapes and a curtain inspired by the aurora borealis (northern lights).

With a great array of dining options (either included or for a nominal extra charge) guests can easily eat at a different restaurant every night. When Radiance of the Seas was renovated in 2011 to Oasis-class standard at a cost of about US$20 million, eight new dining experiences were added.

These range from casual eateries, such as the fun Boardwalk Dog House where you can design your own hot dog, to the >

Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts 2015 departs Sydney on October 24, 2015. The 8-night roundtrip itinerary will call at Mare, Mystery Island and Noumea.

Fares start from AU$2565 per person, twin share, and include all onboard meals (excluding specialty restaurants), entertainment, onboard gratuities, port charges and government taxes.

THE PERFORMERS Katherine Jenkins OBE (UK), James Morrison, ‘Opera Australia Presents: Great Opera Hits from the Sydney Opera House’, Liz Callaway (USA), David Hobson, Suzanne Johnston, Judi Connelli, David Shannon (IRL), Jonathon Welch, Mark Vincent, Emma Pask, Jane Rutter, Grigoryan Brothers, Guy Noble, The Metropolitan Orchestra and many others.

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Rarely do music-themed cruises offer such a lavish and extensive ensemble of talented artists across so many disciplines of the performing arts.

Dining can be as formal or as informal as you like

Classical flautist Jane Rutter will perform

David Shannon has performed leading roles in London’s West End

family-style Italian restaurant Giovanni’s Table, the sizzling Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse and the Japanese restaurant Izumi, which offers à la carte sushi.

Any ship of this calibre will pamper guests with an extensive range of spa and relaxation treatments; on board Radiance of the Seas these are available at Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa, where expert therapists execute a luxurious line-up of signature treatments, massages and medi-spa services. There’s even acupuncture, tooth-whitening, special men’s treatments and FDA-approved Botox. The adults-only African-themed solarium, with an indoor pool and spas watched over by carved wooden elephants, is a definite hotspot. It’s conveniently located next to the best place for a snack, Park Cafe, which serves fresh salads, Catch some rays in Noumea, New Caledonia’s capital

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panini and quesadillas at no extra charge. In the evening the Champagne bar is the perfect place to begin, followed by a mesmerising game on the computer-controlled, selflevelling billiard tables that automatically adjust to the movement of the ship.

There are three onboard pools in which to swim, splash and frolic. Fitness types can use the new state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre, while thrillseekers can tackle the rock climbing wall that rises 60 metres above the sea. The sports club offers ping-pong, a basketball court and deck games. There’s also a nine-hole miniature golf course.

Other new features include VIP guest lounges and a giant outdoor poolside movie screen showing first-run movies day and night. n

Relax with a cocktail between shows

FACT FILE Cruise line: Royal Caribbean Vessel: Radiance of the Seas Star rating: 4 Maximum guest capacity: 2500 Entered service: 2001; refurbished in 2011 Facilities: 12 restaurants and eateries, themed bars and lounges, 3 pools, outdoor cinema, 3-level Aurora Theatre, Colony Club (cabaret and comedy), Adventure Ocean kids club, nursery, fitness and spa facilities, miniature golf course, sports club, rock climbing wall, duty-free shopping.