2015-16 Cruise Guide

A Wave of Ships
Australia’s busiest ever cruise season has just started, with a record 38 ships due to sail in our waters. This means more choice, more competition and more value for Australian cruisers. More than 600 cruise ship visits are scheduled for ports around Australia and New Zealand over the next few months and the 2015-16 cruise season will be our biggest ever.

New to our shores and standouts
These include Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Explorer of the Seas – she will be joining her Australia fleet in November 2015 and will be the biggest cruise ship ever to sail from Australia. At 138,000 tons, catering to 3800 passengers, Explorer will be joining her smaller sister ship – Voyager of the Seas – and will be replacing Rhapsody of the Seas during the 2015-16 cruise season. Explorer of the Seas boasts an onboard ice-skating rink, 10 pools and whirlpools, a rock-climbing wall, a basketball court, jogging track, an inline skating track, a mini-golf course and a golf simulator. There are also 15 clubs and lounges plus a wedding chapel onboard.

RCI’s Legend of the Seas will be the fourth Royal Caribbean ship to be based in Australia during the 2015-16 cruise season and the first to be based in Brisbane. Catering to 2000 guests, she will arrive this December for a 5-month season and will be one of the largest superliners able to navigate the Brisbane River, docking at the Brisbane Cruise Terminal at Portside Wharf. After a multi-million dollar revitalisation last year, Legend will boast plenty of wow factors not found on any other ship sailing from Brisbane, including a central atrium with an acrobatic aerial show, a rock climbing wall, mini-golf, an indoor swimming pool and multiple specialty dining venues.

RCI’s Mega ship Ovation of the Seas will be sailing down under in 2016 with a multitude of new innovative attractions that are sure to delight.

Carnival Legend, the younger sister of Carnival Spirit, brings a host of new and exciting features. Cruisers are bound to love the Caribbean-themed watering hole that is the Redfrog Pub, offering live music and Carnival’s very own draft brew. For the sushi-lovers amongst us, you won’t be able to resist the new Bonsai Sushi specialty restaurant. Other new features include the candy and more store, Cherry on Top and Hasbro, The Game Show, offering a series of larger than life productions and entertainment activities.

P&O have purchased two ships from Holland America Line, which have been renamed Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria. This brings the total number of P&O ships in our waters to five. Catering to 1500 guests each, with nine decks, they are due to debut here in November 2015. Both ships will feature two pool decks, including a fully climate-controlled pool area on the top deck and an adults-only oasis pool, a Cellar Door featuring a full range of Australian wines for daily tastings, master classes and vintage seminars, two brand new restaurants, a new Salt Grill and Bar and Chef’s Table, cooking classes, a premium cinema and more.

Golden Princess, which will be based in Melbourne, will be the largest ship to be based in our southern capital, with 1318 staterooms, catering to 2600 guests. She has four swimming pools, a large spa, 10 restaurants and cafes, and the amazing to 1500 guests each, with nine decks, they are due to debut here in November 2015. Both ships will feature two pool decks, including a fully climate-controlled pool area on the top deck and an adults-only oasis pool, a Cellar Door featuring a full range of Australian wines for daily tastings, master classes and vintage seminars, two brand new restaurants, a new Salt Grill and Bar and Chef’s Table, cooking classes, a premium cinema and more. Golden Princess, which will be based in Melbourne, will be the largest ship to be based in our southern capital, with 1318 staterooms, catering to 2600 guests. She has four swimming pools, a large spa, 10 restaurants and cafes, and the amazing Skywalker Night Club. There’s a jogging track, shuffleboard, yoga classes, a 9-hole putting course, designer boutiques, movies, lounges, casino and an outdoor theatre. Great for families, she offers youth and teen centers, kid-friendly activities such as video games, foosball, karaoke and board games.

It’s very gratifying to see brand-new and near-new ships being based in Australia. For too long we were the poorer cousins and received only tired old vessels. Not so anymore.

It’s very gratifying to see brand-new and near-new ships being based in Australia. For too long we were the poorer cousins and received only tired old vessels. Not so anymore. Our ships are first class in more ways than one. Australians cruise more, per head of population, than any other country. China is emerging as a great cruise country and I believe that in the next few years they will be a force in numbers taking cruises.

Retirees cruise more than any other group, on a regular basis

We have the time and appreciate what cruising has to offer, plus the fact that it is great value for money. More and more grandparents are taking their extended families on cruises (spending the kids inheritance). But what a great way to do it. As a retiree, I love cruising – it offers the best value for money of any vacation.

There are cruises that fit into most budgets, but let’s face it, you get what you pay for. Packages range from well under $100 per person a day to several hundred a day. There are 3-, 4- and 5-star ships to choose from. Often the differences are blurred and it’s difficult to tell the difference.

Large ships offer a greater choice of entertainment and dining options

Small 4- and 5-star boutique style ships are often preferred by the seasoned cruiser with a higher budget. They offer greater personal service and amenities, more exotic food and wine choices plus it’s often easier to make new friends due to smaller passenger numbers. Smaller ships can visit destinations far less travelled, visiting ports that cannot be reached by larger vessels.

Most river ships offer a host of included extras

In my opinion, the best way to see much of Europe and some parts of Asia is by river ship. The fare includes virtually everything. Flights, airport pickups and drop-offs, tips, wines and spirits, locally sourced fresh food, daily tours with local guides, it’s almost impossible to put your hand in your pocket. Luxury on board in many cases surpasses that found on ocean ships. Cabin luxury surpasses that of many 5-star hotels. In most cases your river ship docks right in the heart of many destinations. No chance of seasickness as the rivers are very smooth. Ships sail mostly at night and distances between cities and towns are short.

A look at Uniworld’s latest river ship gives an idea of the style and elegance to be found on board top of the line  river ships. Their newest ship, the 150-passenger S.S. Maria Theresa, launched in March this year, represents their most ambitious build to date.  Marble-clad bathrooms stocked with the finest bath and body products, thick towels and soft robes provide all the comforts. Keypad-controlled lighting and amazing drop-down televisions in the suites and hidden-mirrored televisions in the staterooms have been put in place to meet the needs of the modern, discerning guest.

The most popular cruise lines

River ship Cruising

• Uniworld
• AMA waterways
• Tauck
• Avalon Waterways
• Viking
• Scenic

Smaller ships including adventure lines
Note: Some of these are both 5-star and adventure.

• Ponant
• Oceania
• APT
• Star Clippers
• Seabourne
• Hurtigruten
• Seadream
• Windstar
• Viking
• Crystal
• Azamara

Mid range to large 4- and 5-star ocean cruise lines

• Royal Caribbean
• MSC
• Celebrity
• Holland America
• Carnival
• Princess
• P&O
• Cunard

The lines are becoming blurred between 4 and 5 stars. In my opinion, some four-star ships offer a great deal more than 5-star ships, with service just as good, that’s why it’s so important to deal with a certified cruise specialist when choosing your cruise. You pay no more for their services and they can assist you in making a choice tailored to requirements.

Booking a cruise and discounts
Most cruise lines offer big discounts. There are early booking discounts, past passenger loyalty discounts, last minute discounts and time of year discounts that are offered especially if a particular cruise is not filling quickly. Get on various cruise lines and travel agents mailing lists. Often big discounted items sell within hours of being posted.

Onboard credits are also offered as an additional enticement. Prices fluctuate every year as we see more ships and competition between cruise lines.

Demographics of Those Cruising
Under 40 = 30.8%

Over 40 = 69.2%

Favourite cruising destinations
The South Pacific is by far the most popular destination for most Australians, with New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu being the most popular ports visited with New Zealand a close second. A little further away is Hawaii, which is also very popular and a favourite of mine. Great deals can be had that include Hawaii on repositioning cruises.

Cruises circumnavigating Australia are becoming very popular as returning cruisers realise that the ship is really the destination.

Worldwide: The Mediterranean is our most popular Northern Hemisphere destination with Asia, Alaska, Northern Europe, The Caribbean, and Antarctica following closely. We are now seeing Cuba opening up as a cruise destination.

What I look for on a cruise ship
As I cruise more frequently, the destinations become less of a factor and the ship more important. Obviously price plays a part, but value for money is paramount.

Most cabins on 4- and 5-star ships are very similar, but I enjoy having a balcony for many reasons, one being that I love fresh sea air and prefer to sleep with the balcony door open. My wife particularly enjoys an early morning coffee and pastry from room service while sitting on our balcony.

If younger children are in your party, I would not choose a balcony. Ocean view cabins have no outside doors to worry about and if you are on a budget or have a larger group there are always inside cabins which are priced to appeal.

Food and entertainment are very important to me. Generally food in the included main dining room is excellent, with dinner and lunch menus changing daily. The buffet area found on all ships is usually the most popular for breakfast and lunch and by some, for dinner. Food is very fresh and topped up throughout meal times. I usually eat most meals in the main dining room, I enjoy the excellent service, crisp linen and the opportunity to mix with new fellow passengers each day. Also I eat a lot less than I do at the buffet.

Entertainment on medium and large ships has something for everyone. Each evening passengers are entertained with Broadway-esque shows that change daily. Bands, singers, solo variety acts, magicians, dance bands in lounges throughout the ship, disco until the early hours are just a part of the variety of entertainment offered. Outdoor movies can be found on some ships. During the day there are non-stop attractions from dance lessons to arts and crafts, enrichment lectures, art auctions and more. On smaller and adventure ships there are usually resident pianists and singers and often local entertainers are brought on board.

How it all started
I, like many others in my age group, watched The Love Boat TV series each week in the 1970s and 1980s.

This long-running show, it has been said, was the most effective subliminal messaging in history, promoting cruising. The Love Boat transformed the entire cruise industry; it put cruising on the map. I actually worked on the 20th Century Fox series when I was employed at their studios in the 1970s.

Cruise facts

Where and when did cruising start?
Cruising as we know it was born in 1844, when the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. began sea tours from Southampton, England, to Gibraltar, Malta and Athens. The idea caught on, and bigger and more luxurious ships were built in the second half of 19th century. At the turn of the century, other shipping companies were following suit as more people wanted to cross the Atlantic in 5-star comfort. The White Star’s Olympic class liners included the Olympic, the Britannic and the Titanic.

With the arrival of jet aircraft in the 1960s, ocean travel dropped. Planes were faster and cheaper.

Enter The Love Boat series and many viewers began to dream, once more, of visiting exotic locations while being pampered aboard a cruise. The show put Princess Cruises on the map. More ships followed. The Pacific Princess, for example, weighed only 20,000 tons, carried 650 passengers and cost cruisers around $5000 a week.

Today, costs have dropped from about $500 a day in the 1980s to $100 and less per person today.

Cruising is here to stay, with bigger and better ships being launched each year. River ships are equally as popular offering, on a smaller scale, equal and sometimes superior 5-star luxury.

What’s on the horizon
Ships are getting bigger offering more to do on board. As we run out of new destinations, the ships themselves have become the destinations.

What you need to know
A passport is necessary on most cruises, except some very short domestic cruises. Visas to foreign countries may be needed. Consult your travel agent or shipping line.

When boarding your ship you will be asked for credit card details. All onboard charges, drinks, and spas will be charged against that card.
No card, then a cash deposit must be made at that time.

Out of pocket extras
If you choose to not consume alcohol, go to the spa or spend at the onboard shops, you can cruise without spending another penny. Non-alcoholic drinks and brewed coffee and tea are available gratis. Tips are often included in the fare price; otherwise allow about $10+ a day per person cruising.

Alternate dining
Your fare includes all meals in the main dining room and buffet area. Alternate dining rooms often attract an additional charge of around $30 per person. These are very popular and bookings are advised as soon as you board and in some cases this may be done online weeks in advance. I recently went on a 5-star cruise from Athens to Venice and found all the seats in the ship’s alternate dining rooms were booked weeks ahead.

Best value
Often a more expensive cruise can turn out to be better value. Most 5-star ships include unlimited alcohol, tips, some tours and more. I find river ships to be exceptional value.

Length of cruise
Cruises range from one night, with two-, three- and four-night cruises becoming more popular. These are great for first time cruisers to sample the joys of cruising. Watch out for these as they fill up quickly. I prefer the 10- to 14-day cruises. One can really settle in, make new friends or just relax, enjoying all a good ship has to offer. World cruises can go for many weeks, alternatively, segments of world cruises can be purchased.

Repositioning cruises can often be great value. Most ships spend half their year in opposite hemispheres. For example a ship may be based in China or Miami for most of the year, but repositioned to Australia for our cruise season (October to April). The cruises to and from these new bases are called repositioning cruises and are usually priced very well with up to 50 per cent discounts on their daily rates. Often they are not widely advertised, due to selling quickly to those who know.

Insurance
Insurance with all overseas travel is a must. Many will have insurance built into their credit cards. Learn what your credit cards have to offer. For us older cruisers, remember that pre-existing conditions are usually not covered, though often, special insurance may be purchased. If you cannot obtain insurance, make sure that you have sufficient funds available to pay for additional flights home or for hospitalisation in a foreign country. A medical stay in an American hospital could cost in excess of $100,000.

Nevertheless more and more seniors are cruising. All major cruise ships have doctors on board; visits are around $150 and not covered by Medicare, even if in Australian waters. An overnight stay in the ships hospital can run into the hundreds. Make sure you carry all your medication with original packaging.

Plan ahead
If you’re planning a cruise, think well ahead. Popular cruises often sell out fast. If you get a great deal, be prepared to leave at short notice.

See you on a cruise soon, John