Cruise-Australia.com - a Wonderful World of Cruising at its very Best
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A Cruise Site with a Difference
Come and Discover a World of Quality Cruising
With
With
over 60 Years in the Passenger Shipping & Cruise Industry
Welcome to Cruise-Australia.com a website that
has been online since the early 1990’s. Cruise-Australia has been
designed especially for Australian’s,
PLEASE NOTE: As we well know, all Cruise Companies have suspended operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic, until such time it is permitted and safe to return, their ships are either berthed, at anchor or drifting off various countries, etc. For your information, I am please to provide a complete alphabetical list of ALL Cruise Ships worldwide of where they currently are located as of mild May! To view the page - ENTER HERE. Most cruise lines have now announced that they may not return until around March/April 2021.
On the Australian front, the great news is
that “Coral
Expeditions” has a very special
programme of their “Explore the
Coral Expeditions wonderful 5 Star Super Yacht the Coral Discoverer
There
is a feature on “Coral Expeditions”
just below
For full Information and Details enter Here
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Channel 7 featured promo’s for their show “Cruising the Biggest Storm”, and showed cruise ships being beached at the breakers yards, as indeed many ships have been sold to be scrapped. However, when this documentary made by the Channel 7 News team was shown on Sunday October 11, at 7 pm, it turned into a one and a half hour cheap attack on the cruise industry, more like many disgusting tabloid papers and magazines that turn sensationalized rubbish that is mostly untrue, or has raked up stuff long from the past! What really saddened me, there was an Australian editor of a cruise publication who has made a great deal of money from the cruise industry, and would have managed to sail for free, or at great discounts, and there he was being featured on this scandalous show! Then there was an American so called the world greatest maritime historian, who has been in it for what he can get out of it, and here he was rubbishing the very industry he makes his living from these days.
Personally I have been on around 250 voyages/cruises, and believe me all the evils shown on that show I have never seen on any of the ships I have ever sailed on, and I have my ear close to the decks, as I always get the inside news, considering I have been in the passenger shipping and cruise industry for over 60 years! Certainly, there are times that things are not perfect, and my reviews clearly state some of those things, however, as I pay my full fare for my suite, and not being connected to any company or organisation and operate only 100% non-commercial Websites cruise-australia.com /.net and ssmaritime.com /.net, etc, I do not profit in any shape or form, as I prefer to remain without bias, and provide honest reviews the good and the bad, if that is the case.
However, if you did watch this pathetic show, please do not be discouraged, for that obviously was channel 7’s aim, the cruise industry is working very hard to make absolutely sure that all their ships will be spotless and virus free, also that they will have everything installed to ensure that covid will not spread as hygiene throughout the ships will be of the highest standards, but passengers will also have to play their part as well of course!
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2020 a Bad Year for the Cruise Industry - Full-Stop!
Now this recent pandemic has fallen upon us,
here in
One of those is the wonderful British based
cruise company “Cruise & Maritime Voyages”
(CMV) they have tragically gone into insolvency. I was told back on July 16,
2020 (Australian time) that the company was facing insolvency and that they had
been in talks with a number of financial organisations to obtain financial
backing, but sadly all attempts failed, after “
Finally on July 20, all trading ceased and all CMV sales offices were closed, in addition I have been told that the ships are now on the market, whilst Administrators overseeing the company are said to be struggling with crew repatriation.
The Australian Cruise Industry
Until COVID-19 turned up, records proved that the Australian Cruise Industry had been the world’s fastest growing cruise market. But this Pandemic has put all this to a complete halt and it is damaging many cruise lines, as we have seen CMV has already fallen by the wayside!
Personally I tend to cruise at least three times per year, and yes, as I only operate 100% non-profit maritime/cruise websites, thus I am not connected with any shipping company or agency, and I always pay the full fare for my luxury Suite, when I head off for my Bounty cruise, which is P&O longest Pacific cruise from Brisbane, it costs me a good AU$12,125 as I do not believe in freebies! My only aim is to provide my knowledge to all who are seeking the right cruise ship for their needs, and thus whenever I review a ship that I have cruised on, or other ships that are currently in operation regardless if they are based in Australia, New Zealand or visit here, as well as ships around the world, you can be assured that you will be reading about them without any bias what so-ever! You will get the good, and that what is not!
As many will know I have been in the Passenger Shipping and the Cruise Industry for over sixty years, having commenced in New Zealand as a travel agent and then worked up to a manager, later to become the head of a major International around the world passenger Shipping Company in Australia, followed by operating a Cruise Company, I certainly know a great deal about the industry, an industry I love greatly! Although years later, I was forced to retire due to extreme bad health, but when it is possible I still make an attempt to continue to share my vast knowledge with those who love to take their vacation by sea.
The cruise-australia INDEX below has a great deal of content;
However, there is another Index Bar and a link down the page,
thus why not keep on reading as there is so much on offer!
Enter the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX
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Please Note: This page contains a number of interesting cruise companies, operating from small luxury cruise ships to the larger ones, and each being highly recommended! Some of these ships operating on our shores, then there is an item regarding a series of my personal Cruise Reviews, mostly on the Pacific Aria and the other ships operating on the Pacific, NZ, Barrier Reef and the wonderful PNG cruises which I have now2 enjoyed three times!
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Over countless years I have written features and reviews on countless worthy Cruise Ships and their respective companies in order to better inform cruise and ship enthusiasts … 1; for their pleasure, 2; but more so to ensure that you, my wonderful readers will make the best-informed choice possible on what kind of ship, or which ship will be just right for you. Below I am featuring some wonderful small-ship operators that offer as you, as you will soon see some real Magic, and by that I really mean it, for the reviews I received regarding this line are simply outstanding to say the least. In addition they are a highly awarded small ship luxury Cruise Line operating Expedition Yachts and they are an Australian company, “Coral Expeditions” and their fine fleet of ships sail locally as well as internationally! This company is followed the amazing luxury “Aqua Expeditions” the new 5 Star luxury “Aqua Blu”.
Then come and discover my much loved and HIGHLY RECCOMENDED Scottish “The Majestic Line” which has a remarkable fleet of four small cruise ships which you will simply fall in love with, as they offer an unique style of intimate cruising around the Scottish Isles, and believe me the service and food on the four Glen ships is without a doubt beyond belief!
Thereafter I cover the luxury passenger/cargo
ship
Finally I will feature “Holland America
Line” Ships based In
Remember, we are hoping that in 2021 we will
see the Return of Cruising, thus let’s stay positive and hope for the
best, and do what
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This is
The Coral Expeditions has grown from having
just one small rather basic vessel to operating a fine fleet of glamorous small
expedition ships that sail around
The new 5,599-tonne Coral Adventurer, which will be followed by her
new sister the Coral Geographer which will arrive in November 2020
Image © Coral Expeditions
Launched in April 2019 and purpose-built to take guests closer to unspoilt vistas in comfort, style and safety, the luxurious Coral Adventurer accommodates 120 guests in 60 spacious staterooms and she has a cruising speed of 13.5 knots. She is a culmination of years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising, the Coral Adventurer has over 1000 sqm of open deck space including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views. There are multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including the Explorer bar up on sundeck, she has a well-equipped gym, and a passenger elevator, all of which creates an environment designed for guest comfort. Coral Adventurer has captured the unique requirements for both guests, and the ships crew.
But above all it will be the countless
incredible destinations she will visit that will make the cruise, combined with
a ship that has the highest quality equipment and technology that will make her
perfect ship to sail the Indonesian archipelago,
Then there is also the state-of-the-art 1,838-ton, MV Coral Discoverer (built in 2005, but completely refurbished in 2016), being an intimate, Australian cruise ship and she has become a much sought after small cruise ship operating at a cruising speed of 14 knots.
The luxurious MV Coral Discoverer
In Addition there is also the Coral Expedition
II, which mostly operates 3 and 4 night
Explore the Magic of the Coral Expeditions a fleet of Intimate Expedition Ships
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Aqua Expeditions
The Highly awarded “Aqua Expeditions” River Ships in Asia and the Amazon and their M/Y Aqua Blu being their 5 Star Luxury Oceangoing Exploration Yacht, which explores new coastal destinations of East Indonesia, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of “Komodo National Park” commenced her maiden voyage on November 16, 2019.
The Company has received a great deal of
International Acclaim, including the Gold Award in the Architecture/New Build
category in the 2015 “Asia Hotel Design Awards” for the Aqua
Mekong. Many VIP guests to have cruised on one or two of the Aqua
vessel’s, including leading travel journalists, and have received awards
from “Travel + Leisure”, “Virutuaose”, “Financial
Times”, “Conde Nast Traveller”,
A Guest who sailed on the Aqua Blu wrote a
review, and in part he said: “All I can say is this, to sail on an Aqua
Blu voyage; you can believe me you will experience a cruise adventure of the
M/Y Aqua Blu seen from the air
Inside her five-decks you will discover that the world famous designer Mr. Cor D. Rover has tastefully paired her amazing history with the modern, and therefore you will find a glamorous brass-and-ivory interior theme with spacious and inviting Lounges, Bars and Dining rooms, as well as outdoor social spaces, including a spacious sun deck.
Here we see the Salon and Dinning Room on Main Deck
She offers safety and comfort, because Aqua
Blu’s is the perfect ship to navigate
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MV
Their first two vessels were originally built
as Irish wooden Herring Trawlers but they were converted in
The
spacious Dinning Room, Lounge, library & Bar on the
The
latest ship of the fleet the MV Glen Shiel
The
Lounge on the
These vessels looked much the same externally, but on the internally on Main Deck, rather than having the one large main public venue, these new ships had two, with a spacious Lounge, Bar, Library, a flat screen TV located forward with the Dining Room with a smaller Lounge area being located aft. You will find a comprehensive Multi Page Feature online detailing this worthwhile cruise experience with a difference, complete with photographs, reviews and deck plans via the link below.
World famous TV star and vocalist Miss June McDonald cruised on the Glen Tarsan and she loved her experience so much, that she stated, “I will be going again, but next time on the 10 day cruise, for it is the experience of a lifetime, and I just loved it!”
These cruises are of a very high standard and fares for a 3 night cruise are from AU$ 1,976.00, and a 6 night cruise from AU$ 3,838.50, there are also 10 day cruises. The service and cuisine on board a Majestic ship is of the highest standard possible, and this company is highly recommended by the Author, and no I have never been in contact with the company.
“The Majestic Line” fabulous four mini-cruise-ships that will capture you and delight you!
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Then what about
Maori language being all part of the CPTM ships great Polynesian history and culture
Photograph © by CPTM
Thus as you can see from the amazing ship
above, the MV Aranui 5 will offer her 254 Guests comfortable, air-conditioned
accommodations in remarkable comfort, for this is certainly not a traditional
cargo ship that just has some passenger accommodations, but this is more of a
luxury passenger ship that just happens to also carry cargo and mail to the
many Islands it visits, which really makes the voyage so much more
interesting! On her spacious aft decks the ship offers her Guests space to
sunbathe, swim in the pool and enjoy exotic tropical drinks while she wends her
way among the countless beautiful tropical
Enter the MV Aranui 5
Cruising
around the Beautiful
Including the magical Tuamotu and Marquesas Archipelago’s
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Besides the smaller companies shown on this
page, there are the more traditional larger ship companies, as well as the more
glamorous super luxury smaller up-market Cruise Lines, such as
“Silversea,” “Seabourn”, “SeaDream Yacht
Club” and “Viking Ocean Cruises” and of course the luxurious “Holland America Line.” HAL’s luxury ships cruise to and from
Visit
my ms Oosterdam Feature
Another
HAL visitor to
whilst she is on her around the world voyages. HAL is the world’s highest Rated Cruise Line
as well as having the highest Rated Cuisine served to their Guests at Sea
Enter my ms Amsterdam Ship Review when she was in
All Cruise Companies & ships can be
found on the Index
Bar at the bottom of the page.
is to be sold, have the gone completely MAD? What can you expect from those mad
Americans who now SADLY own so many fine cruise Lines and are DESTROYING them all!
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November 2019: My dear friend and Carer, Eng Tan have just returned from one of our many cruises on the delightful ms Pacific Aria, we have reached every corner of the Pacific as well as North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, as we have been so fortunate to cruise a good number of times to magical Papua New Guinea, as well as the wonderful “The Bounty” cruise, which visits Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, amongst other wonderful tropical Islands.
However, our last cruise was our beloved PNG cruise and we had smooth sailing to say the least, but soon we will see the Aria head off to New Zealand and Adelaide, and in February 2021 she will leave P&O forever, like a few of the other ships that have been sold off. Yet the Pacific Aria is the best ship in the fleet! You will soon come to see that I and countless of other past passengers who love this magnificent ship, considering she has the best cabins of all the P&O ships, as all cabins has a lounge area with a sofa and a coffee table and so much more, etc. In addition, she is officially rated the Number One ship in the fleet, yet they are dumping her. My review of our recent PNG cruise will cover some of the reasons quite comprehensively.
Sadly we also did a cruise on that horrific
tub, the Pacific Dawn, and this was my worst cruise in all history. I did start
to write a review, but it was so bad, I just could not finish it. My suite,
well the balcony was simply not habitable it was FILTHY, then there was water
leaking at my door, and the list just goes on. There was just one very good
person on the ship, a chef named Islam, who was beyond great, to good for the
Photograph by & © Mr. Hun-Eng Tan
Including
an INDEX to other cruises & “The …
“
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Now ~ Come and enjoy the many Cruise
riches that are here for you to discover use the INDEX link below
Enter the Cruise Index Below
Email Me at; info@cruise-australia.com
When emailing please name the ship or company you are requesting information about!
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Photographs on cruise-australia.com & .net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and their Publicity Companies as well as by private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided without details regarding the photographer concerned., therefore I hereby invite if owners of those images to be so kind and make them-selves known to me, in order that due credit may be given!
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