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 Reuben Goossens, Maritime Historian, Author, Lecturer & Cruise’n’Ship Reviewer

With over 60 Years in the Passenger Shipping & Cruise Industry

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: 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.

Great News for Queensland!

On the Australian front, the great news is that “Coral Expeditions” has a very special programme of their “Explore the Great Barrier Reef” Cruises from Cairns on their stylish 1,838-ton MV Coral Discoverer from November 2020 to July 2021.

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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2020 a Bad Year for the Cruise Industry - Full-Stop!

Now this recent pandemic has fallen upon us, here in Australia as well as around the world, cruising has very much come to a complete halt, and it has sadly had a devastating impact upon some cruise lines for some have tragically fallen by the wayside!

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 “Barclays” declined to offer them a state-backed loan to this wonderful, and such a successful Cruise Line in recent years.

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.

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.

Reuben Goossens seen whilst on a two week cruise on Pacific Aria in 2019

Photograph taken by Hun-Eng Tan

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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Tragic News For Cruise & Maritime Voyages

The MV Astoria, originally built in 1948, her cruise days has sadly come to an end

with Cruise & Maritime Voyages as CMV have gone into Liquidation, what will become her and the Marco Polo?

Support these fine ex CMV ships, visit: https://petition.gppixelworks.co.uk/

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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 1,355 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 537.1 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 information and maritime History is provided online for you to enjoy for free, as it is financed 100% by the author!

Please Note: This page is in Two Parts. Part One: Contains stories regarding 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!. Whist Part Two: Contains current News Items regarding Covid-19 and other relevant items of interest.

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Part One

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, 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 MV Aranui (5) which is based in Papeete, Tahiti, and she is an ultra modern super luxury ship, offering the very best of everything.

Finally I will feature “Holland America Line” Ships based In Australia during our summer, with reviews on my voyages on them, and I will conclude with several links to some of my “P&O” cruise reviews. Enjoy reading what is on offer!

Please Note:

Remember, we are hoping that in 2021 will see the Return of Cruising, thus let’s stay positive and hope for the best, and do what Queensland is doing, stay strong and keep healthy. I feel that if we open our borders too fast, all I can say is look at the UK and Europe, that is what they did and they are now worse than the first time around and their populations are dying like flies. I hope that will wake us all up! Wash your Hands, Wear a Mask, and keep you distance as required! I wish you all a Save final months in 2020 and a new and a healthy 2021!

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Let’s commence with two New Australian arrivals to the Scene, Luxury Expedition Yachts:

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 companies, with a “Certificate of Excellence” by “trip adviser” and “Cruisers Choice” by “cruise critic,” and also awarded “Quality Small-Ship Cruise Operator” by “cruise-australia.com”.

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 Australia, Asia and now much further afield into the Indian Ocean and the Pacific!

Meet Australia’s Newest glamour Ships in the Fleet:

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, 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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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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A Much Loved Scottish Line:

“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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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.

Please Note: Carnival has announced that this magnificent ship, the ms Amsterdam

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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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.

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 Dawn!

The magnificent 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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Part Two - 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 Pause of Cruise Operations

Please Note: The suspensions have all been extended for the time being

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 now, possibly in June? (As we now all know this has been extended).

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.

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.”

Please Note: It is obvious that all Cruise lines are affected and will return when it is safe to do so!

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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!

Cruise-Australia.com

Classic Liner Enthusiasts visit …

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Discover over 1,355 Classic Passenger & Humble Converted Migrant Liners & the 1914 built MV Doulos Feature

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!