Make Thai like David Thompson – join the celebrity chef’s masterclass

The Aussie chef bringing Asian to Asia

Michelin-starred chef Australian chef, David Thompson, known for his famous restaurants, Long Chim and Sailorโ€™s Thai, will be hosting a cooking masterclass. The chef, which has a long-standing partnership with luxury small ship operator, Aqua Expeditions will be making exclusive dishes like tomato soup, grilled chicken with Cambodian black pepper and lime juice sauce, as … Read more

Royal Caribbean, NCL and Scenic brands extend suspension of sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line Australia

All Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) brands have extended their suspension of sailings through the end of July. The Scenic Group has also suspended Scenic Eclipse sailings up to September 2020. The four brands under RCI: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea have extended the suspension of mostย sailings through July … Read more

Australasia’s cruise industry group gets new chair as lines prepare for relaunch

Ovation of the Seas, Sydney

Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean Internationalโ€™s managing director Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed the new chair of Cruise Lines International Association Australasia. Mr Smith takes on the role as cruise lines grapple with the crippling effects of coronavirus and prepare for a return to sailing. Mr Smith’s huge experience will certainly be needed in … Read more

Remotely-operated sea trial for Silver Origin

Silversea Silver Origin

Silversea Cruises has successfully conducted the remotely-operated sea trial of its latest luxury ship, Silver Origin off the Netherlands despite the challenges of the global lockdown. Silver Origin is scheduled to offer luxury cruising in the Galapagos for 100 passengers in an all-suite accommodation with butler service, hopefully later this year. In a world-first, the … Read more

Suspected suicides as concern grows for crew stranded on ships

Will Lees from the Norwegian Star

Strict rules imposed by the American Centres of Disease Control and Prevention has put the mental health and wellbeing of around 100,000 stranded cruise crew around the world in jeopardy. On Sunday, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman died after apparently jumping from the Regal Princess outside the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. And according to … Read more

From baking cakes to cash, how cruise lines are helping health heroes

Super Star Gemini

From raising money, baking cakes, sounding horns in unison to providing temporary accommodation for workers recuperating from COVID-19, individual cruise companies have taken the initiative to demonstrate their support for medical staff fighting the pandemic at the front line. It is also an attempt to keep crew spirits up during the prolonged pandemic lockdown. Genting … Read more

CMV sees an increase in Aussies booking the 2021 European summer season

Line dancing aboard the Vasco da Gama

Traditional British line, Cruise & Maritime Voyages has seen an increase in bookings for their 2021 European summer season, indicating that people are still planning for the future. The line said that Aussies are mainly booking on the Columbus and the lineโ€™s newest ship, the Amy Johnson. โ€œCMV Australia has reported a 67% increase in bookings … Read more

Your next cruise: what will change

Azamara offers crew chef training while sailings are suspended

The true extent of the task of reforming the cruise industry has been spelt out after the US Centres for Disease Control extended its No Sail order until July 24. According to American broadcaster CNN, the centre has “reason to believe that cruise ship travel may continue to introduce, transmit, or spread Covid-19.” Dr Martin … Read more