New Royal Caribbean boss promises big things for Australian market

Celebrity Edge

Royal Caribbeanโ€™s new boss in Australia Susan Bonner promises a big wave season beginning in October, with the lineโ€™s longest deployment ever. And she hopes to bring the new wave of Celebrity Cruises ships – the modern and technologically advanced Edge class – to Australia. The first, the stunningย Celebrity Edge, will be launched at the … Read more

Don’t play it again, Sam – APT says goodbye to the piano man

At last - a way to insure your river cruise holiday against the weather

APT, one of Australiaโ€™s most enduring luxury cruise and travel brands, is planning some changes to update its river fleet and tours. The traditional piano man will give way to local artists and authentic cultural experiences. And it is tapping into the environmental, social, responsibility and wellness trends, with hosts aboard many of its vessels … Read more

Sydney Harbourโ€™s woes means weโ€™re losing jobs and sales: new cruise head

Sture Myrmell, Carnival Australia

The new head of Australiaโ€™s peak cruising body has returned to the attack on how Sydneyโ€™s capacity problems are costing jobs and growth. Carnival Australiaโ€™s president Sture Myrmell, the local head of seven of the worldโ€™s leading cruise brands, was appointed to chair Cruise Lines International Association Australasia, the body representing cruise ship owners. โ€œThere … Read more

Royal Caribbean acquires Silversea in luxury coup

Silversea

Royal Caribbean Cruises has taken a majority stake in one of the industryโ€™s most enduring luxury brands with a $1 billion controlling interest in Silversea. The money gives RCL a 66.7% stake in Silversea Cruises, a deal described in America as โ€œthe most far-reaching acquisition in the cruise industry in over a decadeโ€. And in … Read more

Same-sex marriages back after Bermuda backflip

Carnival same-sex marriage

Carnival Corporation is breathing a sigh of relief. Bermudaโ€™s Supreme Court has reversed the short-lived ban on same-sex marriage, allowing legal ceremonies to resume in Bermuda and on Bermuda-registered cruise ships. Carnival Corporation, the worldโ€™s biggest cruise company which includes well-known Aussie brands Carnival Cruise Lines, P&O, Cunard and Princess Cruises, has registered 25 of … Read more

Brisbane gets new terminal and a homeported ship

Carnival Spirit

In a stark contrast to Sydneyโ€™s paralysed port, Brisbane International Cruise Terminal will be operating new facilities in two years, thanks to a remarkable deal with Carnival Cruise Lines. Carnival Australia has committed to buy up to 100 โ€œfoundationโ€ berthing days, with no more than four in any one week. The 15-year deal means the … Read more

Princess returns to the Antarctic

Cruise & Travel

Princess Cruises has announced it will be returning to Antarctica during the 2019/20 South America season. The Coral Princess will be setting off for the coldest continent on earth for three special itineraries. โ€œIโ€™m delighted to announce that Princess is returning to Antarctica,โ€ said Senior Vice President Princess Cruises Asia Pacific, Stuart Allison. โ€œThere are … Read more

Princess sails to a record as Australians book 2020

Majestic Princess

Itineraries announced for cruises as far out as two years are going so fast that some are already โ€œsold outโ€. Princess Cruises released its 2019/20 itineraries on Wednesday to Elite clients and Thursday to the general public โ€“ and already, some cruisers have names against almost every cabin. โ€œSounds crazy to be talking about cruises … Read more

‘No accident’ – security cameras show how woman fell from Pacific Dawn

P&O Australia_Pacific_Dawn

The mother who was lost from The Pacific Dawn โ€œintentionallyโ€ went overboard, according to police who have viewed security camera footage of the tragic incident. The cruise ship docked at Brisbane this morning, where police boarded the vessel to carry out investigations on behalf of the coroner. Speaking to media at Brisbaneโ€™sย Portside Wharf,ย Inspector Rob Grahamย issued … Read more