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Please Note: Cruise-Australia and my other related maritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned sites. Please be assured that I am NOT associated with any cruise company or any travel or cruise agency, etc. Also I do not accept advertising nor donations as all sites are fully funded by me! In addition, I pay full fare for all my cruises as I will not accept “freebies”, therefore you can be assured that all views expressed herein are completely without any bias whatsoever!

Introduction:

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, New Zealanders and the Asian cruise market, not to forget all those who love heading overseas and joining ships in other countries, therefore many have become worldwide cruise travellers and explores of destinations far-afield.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a special Cruise “Covid-19” message located below in my Cruise News section, use the link and read it now or continue with the introduction and read it when you reach it!

Records have proven that Australia has become the world’s fastest growing cruise market, and considering 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 now many years later, I had to retire due to rather extreme ill 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. Although I have to be honest, myself like many regular cruise passengers are not fond of the today’s modern great big cruise ships that 1. Look more like Apartment Blocks, or as many regulars say per email; “Great big square boxes on a hull” or 2. “Massive Theme Parks and Shopping Centres at sea, where there are countless thousands of passengers travelling with you, thus are always queues, and more queues, where you will have to queue up at a variety of venues on a daily basis!” And the aforementioned is very true indeed, as a recent passenger told me who returned from a cruise on one of these big ships. “Besides the hordes of children everywhere, the ship just felt over crowded, even though it was such a huge ship with so much space, but I had a problem to find a quiet space, except in my mini-suite. My next cruise will be back on a much smaller ship!”

Royal Caribbean International’s 168,666-tone & 348 m - 1,142 ft long MV Ovation of the Seas

Accommodating 4,905 passengers & a crew of 1,500, thus a total of 6,405 persons on board

That is called “Travelling with a Crowd”!

Please Note: Whenever I and Mr. Hun-Eng Tan who has been my friend, assistant and carer for many years, head off on a cruise I always pay the full fare, for 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 when I review a ship 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 from around the world, you can be assured that you will be reading about them without any bias what so-ever!

Reuben Goossens - September 2015

Seen during a two week New Zealand cruise

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author & Lecturer.

I have been in the Passenger Shipping and Cruise Industry for over 60 years.

In conclusion; countless millions around the world know me well as a Maritime Historian, and cruise-australia.com and ssmaritime.com has been online since the early 1990’s. I have now written on well over 1,350 classic Liners and Cruise Ships, both the grand ships, as well as some of the less significant migrant ships, but all these ships are very important. Then there were those wonderful passenger-Cargo-Liners that would take between 20 to around 400 passengers, many of them offered sheer luxury. The aforementioned has now resulted in having an amazing 533.8 million readers to date and I am sure that you will have noted that you will never find any advertising on any of my pages, or asking for donations, for all this cruise information and maritime History is online for you for free to enjoy, as it is financed 100% by the author!

Please Note: This page is in Two Parts. Part One directly below has two News Items and a point of interest, whist Part Two contains stories regarding a number of interesting cruise companies, operating from small luxury cruise ships to larger ones, and each being highly recommended! Also a story regarding various ships operating on our shores. Then there is an item regarding a series of my personal Cruise Reviews, mostly on the Pacific Aria and other ships on Pacific, NZ, Barrier Reef or PNG cruises, etc. Enjoy!

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Part One - Cruise News Updates

Dear readers,

It is important to note that P&O Cruises Australia & Carnival Cruises took action before any other cruise company regarding what is happening with Coronavirus or COVID-19 as it is also known!

Voluntary 30 Day Pause of Cruise Operations

Two of Australia’s largest cruise ship operators P&O Cruises Australia & Carnival Cruises have announced that they are suspending operations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

President of P&O Cruises Australia, Sture Myrmell, said that P&O Cruises would “pause” operations for at least 30 days and may resume cruises by April 13.

Announcing the pause, Sture Myrmell also said all at P&O were also aware that they’d be disappointing those who have holidays booked, or are already on a cruise. Carnival Cruise Line of course also committed to the plan and pause from cruising for the next month.

Sture Myrmell continued; “Cancelling or reducing the length of a cruise is the last thing we would ever want to do but these are extraordinary times and we have no hesitation in putting the health and well-being of our guests, crew and the wider community first.”

In a statement, Carnival said: “While Carnival has not had a diagnosed case linked to our operation we realise this situation is bigger than the cruise industry and we will continue to do our part to support public officials to manage and contain this unprecedented public health challenge.”

For guests whose future voyages that have been cancelled during the 30 day period, P&O is offering a full refund, or a Future Cruise Credit equal to 200% of the cost of their original cruise. The cruise line is communicating with guests directly on voyages currently sailing.

P&O hopes to resuming normal cruise operations from 12 April with a 10-night cruise on Pacific Aria from Auckland to the South Pacific (subject to the New Zealand Government’s clearance at that time). It will be followed two days later (14 April) with Pacific Explorer departing Sydney on a 10-night cruise to the South Pacific. On 18 April, Pacific Dawn will depart Brisbane on a three day Comedy Cruise.

Mr Myrmell thanked P&O’s loyal guests for their unwavering and inspiring commitment to the brand and their support for the onboard teams who do so much to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“In spite of everything, many guests were prepared to cruise because of their faith in P&O Cruises as their favourite cruise brand,” Mr. Myrmell said. “We look forward to getting past this coronavirus challenge so that our cruise operations can return to normal.”

Only if required contact P&O Customer Sales & Service on 1300 550 491 (Australia) or 0800 543 177 (New Zealand).

P&O stated that “We expect to experience high call volumes and wait times during this period, therefore please bear with us during this time.”

Princess Cruises

Sadly Princess Cruises has become a total fiasco as we all know all to well, and sadly ship Australian’s have come to love the Ruby Princess due to a failure of the Captain and the ships doctors, of advising the authorities correctly in advance that they did have passengers with Coronavirus on board, the ship has become known as the “Death Ship” as due to what occurred in Sydney when all her passengers were allowed to just walk off the ship and head home countless numbers of the Covid-19 infections are from the Ruby Princess as are 30% the deaths! There is now a major police enquiry underway as the ship has been raided on April 9, with the Captain having been questioned! It has been a very sad affair, with I blame the senior staff on the ship, rather that the shore side Company, who sadly at first did not know the truth.

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Part Two

Let’s Talk About Cruising

What is New?

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 will see with the next some real Magic, and by that I really mean it, for the reviews I received have simply outstanding to say the least. Thereafter I cover the luxury passenger/cargo ship MV Aranui 5 based in Tahiti and she is an ultra modern super luxury ship offering the very best of everything. She is followed by the greatly awarded Australian Coral Expeditions fleet of luxury small ships that cruise around Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Indian Ocean, etc and so much more! I then cover various ships cruising out of Australia, and finally England’s much loved “Cruise & Maritime Voyages,” who has a large fleet of fine ships and also cruises from Australia annually. I conclude with some links to some of my cruise reviews. Enjoy reading what is on offer!

Let’s Start with New arrival to the Scene, a Super Luxury Expedition Yacht:

Aqua Expeditions

M/Y Aqua Blu

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”, “Forbes and Robb Report”, also Aqua Expeditions has Won Two 2016 “Luxperience” - from the Sydney Australia “Travel Trade Awards”.

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 Indonesian Islands that will be unlike any you will have ever experienced. It is a delight beyond any other”. V; 2019.

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 East Indonesia’s seas, as she has attained the International Safety Regulations, such as being; ISM Compliant, as well as being in RINA Class and SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) Certified. In addition, she has also been equipped with “Quantum Zero Speed” stabilizers for optimal comfort whilst she stationary or while sailing.

View my Two Page Aqua Blu Feature

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“The Majestic Line”

You will discover that on Cruise-Australia there is a vast variety of cruise options available from mini-cruise ships to the giants of the sea; however I will start with four of the most loved and highly awarded mini-cruise ships based in Scotland, owned by the acclaimed “The Majestic Line.” This company which was founded in 2004, offer small comfortable cruise ships that have become known for their intimate and exciting west-coast Scottish ocean going experiences.

MV Glen Massan

Their first two vessels were originally built as Irish wooden Herring Trawlers but they were converted in Scotland into the most beautiful eleven guest cruise vessels with all cabins having private facilities with windows or a porthole. There is a spacious Lounge, Bar, Library, Flat Screen TV and a Dining Room aft on Main Deck, as well as ample outdoor deck spaces.

The spacious Dinning Room, Lounge, library & Bar on the Glen Tarsan

And believe me there is not a fishy smell to be found anywhere, except when that giant fresh seafood buffet is placed on the table! The Bridge on all ships is open to their Guests throughout the day. The first two perfectly designed ships operate cruises around the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides, and they rapidly became such a huge success not just in Britain, but around Europe as well as worldwide. Thus the owners decided to build two brand new ships based on the first two, but with steel hulls yet with new technology and other improved facilities including stabilisers and Wi-Fi, etc.

The latest ship of the fleet the MV Glen Shiel

The Lounge on the Glen Etive

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!

Enter The Majestic Line Feature

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Cruising the Islands of Tahiti in Luxury:

Then what about Tahiti? There is a very special luxury ship based in Papéeté, which is owned by “Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime” or just (CPTM), with the ship being the Passenger-Cargo cruise Ship the A

MV Aranui 5 is seen at Bora Bora - “Aranui” means “The Great Highway” in the

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 Islands. All in the wonderful comforts of a superb ship!

Enter the MV Aranui 5 Cruising around the Beautiful Tahitian Islands

Including the magical Tuamotu and Marquesas Archipelago’s

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Coral Expeditions:

This is Australia’s small-ship luxury cruise operator, which was established in 1983 and today they are one of Australia’s most awarded a “Certificate of Excellence” by “trip adviser” and “Cruisers Choice” by “cruise critic,” and awarded
“Quality Small-Ship Cruise Operator” by “cruise-australia.com”.

The Company has grown from just one small rather basic vessel to a fine fleet of glamorous small expedition ships that sail around Australia, Asia and much further afield into the Indian Ocean and the Pacific!

Meet the Newest Ships in the Fleet:

The new 5,599-tonne Coral Adventurer, 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, Papua New Guinea, as well as the famed Kimberley coast of West Australia!

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 Great Barrier Reef cruises, which can be combined as a 7 night cruise. The 3 night cruise heads south from Cairns to Hinchinbrook Island, and the 4 night cruise heads north as far as Lizard Island, with the countless treasures in between! Coral Expeditions II hosts just 42 guests in spacious Staterooms with ocean views and all rooms have private facilities. The ship has a spacious Panoramic Lounge and Bar topside up on A Deck, as well as a fine Dining room and Bar on C Deck. Like all ships she is packed with special expedition facilities, and you can snorkel right from the ship itself as she has a special deck that is at water level aft.

Explore the Magic of the Coral Expeditions a fleet of Intimate Expedition Ships

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Various Ships:

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 Sydney between September and April annually. In 2021 the much loved ms Oosterdam returns to our shores replacing her sister the ms Noordam.

Ms Oosterdam is seen arriving at Circular Quay Sydney, and berth at the International Cruise terminal

Visit my ms Oosterdam Feature

Another HAL visitor to Australia

Holland America Lines 5 Star luxury cruise ship, the ms Amsterdam is seen departing Sydney Australia,

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 Brisbane

All Cruise Companies & ships can be found on the Index Bar at the bottom of the page.

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Cruise & Maritime Voyages:

But I would now like to turn to an ever growing and a most successful British cruise company “Cruise Maritime Voyages” or CMV, who commenced in 2010. Today they have a fleet of six ships in operation, and they prefer to operate both modern as well as some of the best maintained and beautifully refurbished classic style cruise ships including the greatly loved MS Marco Polo.

The superb CMV Classic Liner and much loved Cruise ship is the MS Marco Polo celebrates her 55th anniversary in 2020, and she is scheduled to sail well into late 2021

Enter the MS Marco Polo a Two Page Feature

A cruise review by Mr. John Happs & His dear wife Hazel who cruised on her in June 2016 to Iceland

CMV operates some magnificent traditional Classic Cruise ships, such as the Marco Polo of course, as well as the MV Astoria, but then they also operate the luxurious and very much newer cruise ship; Vasco Da Gama. This is without a doubt a wonderful cruise company with an excellent fleet of ships, but also known for its excellent service and entertainment! In 2021 two further ships will join their fleet; one is the identical sister of the Vasco Da Gama, and another ship that will come from the same reliable source. Thus the CMV fleet will have an amazing fleet of ships sailing the globe, including around the world voyages and cruises within as well to and from Australia and New Zealand.

I recommend a cruise on the traditional Marco Polo, as she seems to remain one of the most popular ships in the fleet!

The newest ship in the fleet the ms Vasco Da Gama

Also visit https://cmvaustralia.com/ for Australian based voyages

Above I have shown just a very small insight into a very big world of cruising that is available to you, and I have not forgotten the local scene, such as P&O cruises Australia, as I have cruised on the Pacific Aria frequently, being such a fine ship, and of course P&O Cruises Australia has undergone a complete transformation, with all the existing ships that remain having taken on much of the very stylish décor and themes from the Pacific Aria and placed them on the Pacific Dawn, giving the old girl a whole new look! And of course on P&O’s newer arrivals the ex Dawn Princess, now she has been completely refitted and she also has taken on a modified Aria look plus so much more! And this will go on with the ex Grand Princess soon to arrive as the MV Pacific Adventure, which will also feature many of the same venues as on the Pacific Aria, the wonderful Blue Room, the Ocean Bar, and all the familiar Restaurants, such as the Waterfront and topside The Panty, plus so many more new exciting additions.

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P&O Cruises Australia

The aging Pacific Dawn and the greatly loved Pacific Aria have been SOLD:

P&O Cruises - will off-load the both the Pacific Dawn to her new owners in February 2021, but the bad news for Australian cruise lovers, P&O is also getting selling the best and most luxurious ship in the entire P&O Cruises fleet, as she is the only ship that has ever retained the # 1 rating throughout her entire career with P&O, and no other ship in the P&O fleet has even come near her and has been able to get it from her, no not even the latest addition to the fleet the, ex Princess ship the Pacific Explorer. Thus it is with great sadness that I have to announce that the Pacific Aria will also leave Australia in April 2021 to be handed over to her new owners, “Cruise & Maritime Voyages” (CMV) of the UK. After their refits, the Pacific Dawn will be renamed ‘Amy Johnson’, and Pacific Aria will be renamed ‘Ida Pfeiffer’.

The proud bow of the wonderful Pacific Aria is seen with the Southern Cross beautifully draped over it

Both ships are to be retired as they will be replaced by the very much larger Pacific Adventure (ex Golden Princess) and the just named Pacific Encounter, currently sailing as the Star Princess, which will join the fleet in November 2021.

Pacific Dawn’s final voyage under the P&O Cruises Australia banner is scheduled on February 8, 2021, which will see her sail from Melbourne, Australia, around the east coast of Australia and then to Singapore where she will end her voyage and be handed over to her future owners. The Pacific Aria will make a similar voyage from Australia to Singapore in April of that that same year for her handover.

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Pacific Aria Cruise Reviews by the Author:

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.

Pacific Aria seen at anchor off ‘Kiriwina Island’ Papua New Guinea on November 25, 2019

Enter my Pacific Aria Reviews

Including an INDEX to other cruises & “The … “Papua New Guinea Experience”

The November 19, 2019 10 day PNG Cruise Review and Commentary will be online soon

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Now ~ Come and enjoy the many Cruise riches that are here for you to discover!

Enter the Cruise Index Below

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The Author has been in Passenger Shipping & the Cruise Industry for over 60 years!

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!

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displayed on each page, that is, when a page is updated!