Cruise Australia.com ~ Come and Discover a World of Quality Cruising at its Very Best!

Please Note: iPhones, Tablets & Firefox and other search engines may not suitable

Please use Google Chrome for this page to load perfectly!

Please Note: Cruise-Australia and related maritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned sites. Please be assured that the author is NOT associated with any Cruise Company or Cruise-Travel Agency. The author has been in the Passenger Shipping and Cruise Industry since 1960, and although now long retired, but remain delighted to continue to share my vast knowledge with those who love to take their vacation by sea! Thus I continue to write on worthy Cruise Companies and their wonderful ships in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts to ensure that you, my wonderful readers will make the best-informed choice possible on which company or ship will be just perfect for your next cruise vacation, regardless which part of the world you wish to sail in!

Introduction:

Welcome to Cruise-Australia.com a website which has been online since the early 1990’s. Cruise-Australia has been designed especially for the Australian, New Zealand and the Asian cruise market and for all who love heading overseas and joining ships far afield, Therefore many have become worldwide cruise travellers and explores of destinations far-afield. Records have proven that Australia has become the world’s fastest growing cruise market, and considering I have been in the Passenger Shipping Industry since 1960, and having worked up to a manager, then CEO of a major International around the world passenger Shipping Company, followed by a Cruise Company, I certainly know a great deal about the industry, an industry I love greatly! Although I am now technically retired, I have continued my passion as a non-profit Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer and as millions around the world well know, a well as a prolific Maritime Historian. However be assured, whenever I take a cruise I always pay my 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 to review the ships that are currently in operation here in Australia, New Zealand as well ships from around the world are here for you to read about.

-The author is seen at an Evening Meal, whilst on a Princess Cruise.-

To date I have enjoyed well over 259 Cruises (but I stopped counting in 2018) & this includes Around the World Voyages of 106 days and a number of up to 56 nights Line Voyages from Australia to the U.K. with Princess, P&O UK, as well two with Classic International Cruises Line aboard the classic MV Athena, and they were all simply superb, but I have to be honest, there was also was one cruise that were just not that great, and believe me, it was certainly not the MV Athena. Therefore I feel very confident that I know what a good Cruise Company, or ship, and what is not. It is my aim to provide informative information regarding what will provide you with the best possible cruise experience, one that will suit your needs!

In Closing:

To date my five main Cruise and Maritime Sites being: ssmaritime.com & .net, savetheclassicliners.com & cruise-australia.com & .net have received well over 533 million visitors to date. Therefore, I wish to thank my countless readers and supporters from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and all those from throughout the world, for your kind support, and those wonderful and kind emails, for I receive up to 140 emails per day and many of us have become such good friends. I have been delighted to have been able to guide you and others regarding the ship that has proved to be the most suitable for your next cruise vacation. Thus, thank you for you responses as they have been most encouraging, and I am grateful for your ongoing support! PS; To date I have now received over 1,784 emails in response to my Pacific Aria reviews, thank you, and it seems that you have enjoyed them, and for past passengers, it seems you are generally around 98% are in agreement!, the balance had a slight difference, which seemed had mostly to do with alcohol prices, or packages. Thankfully not my problem and to be honest, it is the same on every cruise line in the world today, for duty free drinks are long gone, it s just a sad fact of life, we expect cheap fares. Well cruise companies have to make money somewhere, for with the ever changing dollar and massive overheads; they may not be making giant profits like they did some time ago!

You may enter the Cruise Australia Index HERE - Or continue and read the Latest Cruise News below, then use the Main Index Bar at the bottom of the page for there are many company’s and ships listed on this site; cruise-australia.com & cruise-australia.net.

Also view the Holland America Line News Page (There is another link at he bottom of the page).

Reuben Goossens.

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

Since 1990 I have written on well over 1,250 Classic Passenger Liners & Cruise Ships!

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

***********************************

Latest Cruise News

July/August 2019

News Items found on this page

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Sprit is Going all out Queensland Style

Colour changes, on board Sandy Lagoons, and so much more

“Scenic Eclipse”

Scenic’s 6½ -Star Ultra-Luxury Mega Expedition Yacht, the …

“Seabourn Venture”

Seabourn’s NEW Expedition Ship due mid 2021

With many images complete with a Deck Plan.

Her Maiden Season has been announced from June 2022 to 2022

“Pacific Adventure”

P&O Cruises Transforming its Fleet with Two Grand Class Ships!

Maiden Season with Voyages Announced from October 2020

Second Grand Class Ship the “Star Princess” to join P&O in 2021

“Pacific Explorer”

P&O Cruises Flagship to be Home-Ported in Brisbane

Carnival Cruises

Two ships to be Home-Ported

“Carnival Splendor” to be Home-Ported in Sydney from January 2020

“Carnival Spirit” to be Home-Ported in Brisbane from October 2020

Princess News Page

Read about the Princess’ New Ship the “Enchanted Princess"

“Pacific Aria”

7 night “Barrier Reef Discovery” Review

Also covering two Papua New Guinea cruises

***********************************

Carnival Spirit goes Tropical

New Sunshine State Refit Revealed

As we have been told, Carnival’s first cruise ship will be home ported in Brisbane Queensland as from October 2020. However before arriving in Brisbane she will receive a refit that will see her hero everything that is very “Queensland”, from cane toads to our State colours.

Note the funnel colour of the soon to be Brisbane based MV Carnival Sprit

Note her aft deck it will become an Adult only deck with a sandy Lagoon!

Photographs and images were provided by & © Carnival Australia

Carnival Cruise Line unveiled some illustrations of Carnival Spirit’s redesign long before her Brisbane home porting in 2020. This will see the Carnival Spirit receive a colour upgrade to her iconic red Funnel, as well as many other refurbishments, including her famous Pub and its Waterslide designed specifically with Queenslanders in mind. Celebrating the Sunshine State’s love of Rugby League, Carnival’s signature red Funnel will switch over to Queensland’s favourite “Footy” colour, Maroon. Towering 53 metres above the waterline, the maroon Funnel will add to a long list of ‘Big Things’ that are based in the Sunshine State of Queensland.

Go the Mighty Bronco’s & the Queensland Maroon’s in the State of Origin!

Additionally, Carnival Spirit’s Huge Yellow Twister Waterslide will receive a snaky-makeover to celebrate that slippery Queensland icon, “The Brown Snake”. This adrenaline-packed slide will feature more twists and turns than the famous footballer Jonathan Thurston’s footwork in the 2017 State of Origin.

A Brown Snake is dangerous on land, but this slippery Brown Snake Ride is heaps of Fun!

A fan favourite on Carnival Spirit, the “RedFrog Pub” will also be revamped and rechristened the “Cane Toad Pub”, in a nod to the states abundance of these ugly amphibians. With crowd-pleasing beers on tap such as Milton Mangos, Great Northern’s and Carnival’s very own Cane Toad Lager, cruisers can rock out to the in-house five-piece band covering a never ending loop of “Streets of Your Town”.

Ready for a Cane Toad lager?

Finally, with the Sunshine State boasting some of the world’s best beaches, Carnival Spirit will soon join the party. Seven tonnes of sand will be transported onto Carnival Spirit to create a stunning artificial lagoon, aptly named ‘New Southbank’, a luxurious Adults-Only retreat.

The new aft Lagoon named the “New Southbank” after the famous Brisbane City Southbank located

riverside. It has sandy lagoons, pools, water parks, and variety of gardens, even a rainforest, & countless

cafés, restaurants, etc! It has become the most visited area in Brisbane by the general public & tourists

“In honour of Carnival Spirit’s new home north of the Tweed, it’s important our Queensland guests feel right at home with these new and exciting features,” said Jennifer Vandekreeke, Vice President Carnival Cruise Line Australia. “We hope all Queenslanders have the opportunity to see and experience the Carnival Spirit in person soon.”

Please see below an overview of Australian based example fares and itineraries:

Fares on the 7-night cruise to the South Pacific on Carnival Spirit, sailing from Brisbane on 29 November 2020 will start from $1,099 per person, interior twin share.

In addition, there is an opportunity to join one of the legs of the Trans-Pacific cruises to and from Honolulu on the Carnival Spirit in 2020.

No matter which cruise you choose, you will get to experience all that Carnival has to offer, with over 45 daily activities, from themed nights, live Broadway-style entertainment, and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with Seuss at Sea™ to the thrilling Brown Snake waterslides.

Brisbane will see the Carnival Spirit arrive in 2010!

Photograph provided by & © Carnival Australia

For further information visit your specialised Cruise/Travel Agent

or for itineraries visit Carnival Cruises from Brisbane

***********************************

Scenic Eclipse the world’s

Only 6½ Star Expedition Super Yacht

Scenic Eclipse is the most advance vessels in the world and she has Submarines and Helicopters

A Brand New Style of Expedition Yacht!

A Voyage on the Scenic Eclipse will be unlike any other Expedition Voyage that is available on any other ship, for each guest will be surrounded by the ultimate of sheer luxury on this unbelievable Super Yacht! This is Scenic’s first foray into the world of Ocean Expedition Cruising. However having operated their Cruise Company for countless years, and considering they already operate an extensive fleet of 21 Luxury 5½-star 100% all inclusive River Ships, thus with their considerable experience and the feedback from their countless repeat guests, they are well aware that they have created something very special and certainly spectacular!

There is no doubt that the demand has been there for Ultra-Luxury Super Yachts such as the Scenic Eclipse and her identical sister due in 2020, Scenic Eclipse II.

A spectacular view of the Scenic Eclipse

And these two yachts will be the most prized vessels in the world today, for their designers have done something that has never been attempted before in one of the finest designs externally as well as her amazing interiors that goes far beyond anything found at sea today! What are you waiting for, this is the adventure of a Lifetime, and it is one not to be missed!

Enter the MV Scenic Eclipse feature

***********************************

Seabourn Venture

Their New Expedition Ship due mid 2021

An illustration of the Seabourn Venture

Seabourn has introduced their new 6 Star Expedition Ship, the 23,000 ton Seabourn Venture, which is due in June 2021, whilst a second as yet un-named sister is due in 2022. These ships will offer spacious and thoughtfully appointed suites with each suite having a veranda, thus all offer ocean front views. On offer is a superb choice of dining venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times, complimented by award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board. The Seabourn Venture will sail the globe to many of the world’s most amazing and sought after destinations, including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known locations and hideaways.

Be among the first to experience this new Expedition ship and see the world’s most exquisite destinations in the most luxurious way, and bookings are now open. Her Deck Plan is located on Part Two of this feature. Externally she is not the prettiest ship, but internally she is well fitted out, although more emphasis is placed on a luxury Expedition experience, thus do not expect a cruise experience, for many of the traditional cruise ship facilities are just not available onboard this ship!

Enter the Seabourn Venture feature

***********************************

P&O Cruises Australia Continues to Transform its Fleet

Photograph provided by & © P&O Cruises Australia

P&O Cruises Australia News Update:

P&O officially has announced that the Golden Princess the first of the two Grand Class ships to join the P&O Cruises fleet has been named the “Pacific Adventure” and she will make her maiden voyage in October 2020. Whilst the second Grand Class ship will also join the fleet but P&O will then be bidding farewell to one of its “Jewels” as being part of P&O’s commitment to refresh their fleet over time.

A new look for the ex Golden Princess as she becomes the superb “Pacific Adventure”

The new ship is the “Star Princess” and she will accommodate around 3,100 guests with a crew of 1,200, and she will join her sister ship, the ‘”Pacific Adventure”, at the end of 2021.

The 109.000-ton Star Princess will join the P&O fleet in 2021

The Star Princess will replace the considerably smaller, but the much loved ‘Pacific Jewel’ which has left the P&O fleet in March 2019, by which time she served the P&O brand for almost 10 years. She has headed to India to become the MV Karnika and she is now based in Mumbai.

In September last year, P&O Cruises announced its plan to refresh its fleet over time, continuing to evolve the guest experience and creating economies of scale necessary to compete effectively in today’s environment.

“Pacific Jewel has been a jewel by name and by nature. I feel sentimental farewelling a much-loved ship, but excited for the future because the addition of two bigger ships is a game-changer for P&O Cruises and its guests,” Mr. Myrmell said.

“P&O Cruises is all about offering a great value cruise holiday that celebrates modern Australia across food, entertainment, activities and service delivered in a contemporary setting. We are ensuring P&O Cruises has the right ships for a contemporary brand operating in a competitive market.”

Mr. Myrmell said P&O Cruises would continue to base ships year-round in its key homeports of Sydney and Brisbane as well as offering seasonal sailings from other Australian states and New Zealand.

Visit the Pacific Adventure News Update & Image Page, including the Star Princess

This page contains a number of brand new images of the” Pacific Adventure” interior’s and decks, etc

The New 2019/2020 P&O Brochure is now available from www.pocruises.com.au

Or visit your friendly licensed Cruise - Travel Agency

***********************************

Pacific Explorer to be Home-Ported in Brisbane

The P&O Cruises Flagship the Pacific Explorer

P&O Cruises Australia has announced that its flagship, the 77,441-ton Pacific Explorer will be home-ported in Brisbane as from October 2020.

Since 2012 well over 1 million Queenslanders have cruised with P&O, and some 75% of them have cruised from the port of Brisbane.

The first roundtrip cruise aboard the Pacific Explorer from Brisbane will be the popular 7-night Pacific Island Hopper, departing on October 24, 2020, which will be followed by a 7-night Main Event themed voyage to the Melbourne Cup, departing Brisbane October 31, 2020.

The Pacific Explorer will replace the Pacific Dawn on October 2020, which has been sailing from Brisbane since December 2009.

The Pacific Dawn is seen gently cruising towards her next Pacific port of call

Pacific Dawn will embark on a 3-night one-way voyage from Brisbane to Melbourne in October 2020.

P&O Cruises’ new 2020 program will deliver 43 roundtrip voyages from Brisbane, including 18 three-night themed journeys and 4-night Short Breaks visiting Airlie Beach, Whitsundays. Prices start from US$484 per person quad share.

A selection of longer voyages including 12-night Fiji Adventure itinerary, as well as four 10-night New Guinea Island Encounter sailings and an 11-night New Guinea Island Encounter are also offered. Prices start from US$1079 per person quad share.

P&O Cruises 2020 program are now on sale.

Enter the new Pacific Explorer page

Page Two has a pdf Deck Plan as well as her Accommodations

For further information visit pocruises.com.au, or better still see a licensed Cruise/Travel Agent.

***********************************

MV Carnival Spirit & Carnival Splendor

Carnival News for Sydney: Australians can also book Carnival Splendor’s sailings between January and June 2020. The 113,300 ton Carnival Splendor is due to arrive in Sydney in December 2019, and she will be the newest Carnival cruise ship to be based in Australia, and she has a capacity for 3,700 passengers on her 14 decks. It is said that she could be “a reward for the way Australia has taken the line to its heart.”

The Carnival Splendor to be based in Sydney is seen here at sea

The Carnival Splendor is undergoing a refit and it new giant Water Park will cost $250,000 and it will be even more thunderous the one known as the “Green Thunder” on board the Carnival Spirit. And for all those who are Water Park fans, believe me this is big news indeed!

The New Water park towers a massive 50 metres above the waterline, being the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and it name will be “Green Lightning” and as you enter it will launch you with an impressive 11.3-metre free-fall drop as the capsule floor opens, followed by a slingshot curve, twisting and what will seem like never ending sliding twists and turns and then into a giant green swirling bowl.

Here we see the Green Lightning water slide trill-ride

Green Lightning will join its sister slide, the yellow 104 metre long “Twister Waterslide”™, in Carnival Splendor’s green and gold Water Works, alongside MiniRacer slides, splash toys and tipping buckets. The Splendor’s Green and Gold water park includes the green thrill slide that takes Green Thunder to the next level.

You will find much more information on her new page; See the link at the bottom of this page.

Special News for Brisbane: Carnival Spirit will become the first-ever Carnival ship to be home ported in Brisbane therefore Queenslanders can start to book their next cruise vacation right from their doorstep as from today, with cruises available from October 2020. Queenslanders will benefit from itineraries including 7-day cruises to the tropical wonderlands of Espiritu Santo, Mystery Island and Noumea.

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand new 2020 cruise program has been released and is now on sale. It offers Australian holidaymakers opportunities to have more fun at sea than ever before according to Carnival Cruises, and it offers a record number of 75 departures from Australia to the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

The Carnival Spirit is seen at anchor at one of the Tropical Islands of Vanuatu

***********************************

Please see below an overview of Australian based example fares and itineraries:

Fares on the 7-night cruise to the South Pacific on Carnival Spirit, sailing from Brisbane on 29 November 2020 start from $1,099 per person, interior twin share.

Fares on the 8-night cruise to the South Pacific on Carnival Splendor, sailing from Sydney on 11 March 2020 start from $1,049 per person, interior twin share.

In addition, there is an opportunity to join one of the legs of the Trans-Pacific cruises to and from Honolulu on the Carnival Spirit in 2020.

Brisbane will see the Carnival Spirit arrive in 2010!

For further information visit your specialised Cruise/Travel Agent, or visit carnival.com.au.

Also visit the Carnival Splendor feature

***********************************

To Enter Click the Enchanted Princess Image below, or use this LINK

***********************************

Pacific Aria Reviews

I sailed on the Pacific Aria on November 9, 2018, and the 7 night “Barrier Reef Discovery” was a wonderful cruise, as were my previous five cruises on the Pacific Aria. Voyages on her have included an 18 day “Bounty Adventure” (which sadly have now been reduced to just 10 nights), 7 nights “Pacific Island Hopper” and a 14 Night “Papua New Guinea Encounter” cruise (which have now also have been reduced in duration). I am booked to do another 10 night PNG cruise departing in November 2019.

Although originally I had booked the June 14, 2019, 14 nights “Bounty Adventure” Cruise on Pacific Aria and had my regular suite, but sadly this cruise will now be undertaken by the refitted Pacific Dawn, departing Brisbane on June 15, 2019, and I managed to obtain suite 11116, being the disabled suite, which did please me greatly. Of course I will be writing a cruise review on this Pacific Dawn “Bounty Adventure” cruise (which sadly has been reduced to just 10 nights).

June 30, 2019: Please Note; Pacific Aria, will tragically make her final Cruise from Brisbane on January 28, 2020 and return on February 8, she will then head for port! I have received countless complaints re her going, for the Pacific Dawn is not greatly liked by many, well certainly noot once you have sailed on the Aria! With Aria’s removal, I can no longer sail with P&O again, thus my PNG cruise departing in November 2019 will be the last ever, for having just sailed on the Dawn, all I can say, is NEVER AGAIN!

To enter the New Two-Page Cruise Review - Click Image above or ENTER HERE

For further photographs of the new look ship, visit the: Pacific Aria Refurbishment page.

Also View …

Enter the Five Page Pacific Aria PNG Review and the Photographic “Papua New Guinea Experience”

Also view the Holland America Line News Page

***********************************

Cruise-Australia.com

Enter the Cruise-Australia - INDEX

Email the Author … Click Here

******************

Classic Liner Enthusiasts visit …

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Where the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos Story

Featuring over 1,250 Classic Passenger & Passenger-Cargo Liners and Cruise Ships!

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!