The Australian Government this week released its grand tourism blueprint, THRIVE 2030. It talks about growth. It talks about sustainability. But it doesn’t talk about cruise, a $7 billion industry once. The silence is deafening.
Australia’s cruise restart could take a major step forward next Wednesday when Health Minister Brad Hazzard sits down for crucial talks with cruise industry chiefs. The meeting, while one of many, is seen as vital. Eighty per cent has often been cited by the federal government as a trigger to restart local cruise sailings. The … Read more
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has come out in support of restarting local cruising after an exclusive Cruise Passenger readers poll showed huge support for the ships to return to Australia. Mr Perrottet told a news conference the state government is “very open” to a return of cruise ships, and the Prime Minister Scott Morrison was … Read more
Australian cruisers are visiting Asia, Northern Europe, Alaska, Mexico and New Zealand, plus taking a record number of domestic cruises according to the latest stats from the Cruise Lines International Association released yesterday. For the first time, CLIA separated the ocean and river cruising statistics and the figures show that 1,058,781 Aussies took an ocean … Read more
For the first time in 10 years, P&O Cruises will be basing one of its Australian fleet in Singapore for part of the year. The new Pacific Eden will head to Singapore in July and sail five cruises around Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. And even though these cruises depart from Asia, P&O is still targeting … Read more
Ovation of the Seas is on her way to Australia (with a few stopovers along the way) and will be arriving in December. At the official launch function this week Royal Caribbean’s president and CEO Michael Bayley announced that the ship would be ‘tweaked’ for the Australian market. Royal Caribbean confirmed that Vegemite and local … Read more
P&O Cruises has told its passengers that the price of drinks packages bought onboard will be going up from late April. The price for the P&O premium beverage package will rise by $10 to $89 per person per day if it is purchased on the ship. Packages pre-booked and bought will stay at $79. The package … Read more
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
