thursday 01 december 2011 ponant’s australia sales up by
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Website: www.cruiseweekly.com.au | Phone: 1300 799 220 | Fax: 1300 799 221 | Email: [email protected] Page 1
Thursday 01 December 2011
TODAY’S ISSUE OF CWCruise Weekly’s new-look trade issue todayfeatures five pages of news and photos. PLUS see page two for the ICCA’s first everInterview with a Cruise Expert feature.
Ponant’s Australia sales up by 40%In two months, the French linehas sold a yacht, ordered ayacht, and may soon increaseits presence in Australia. COMPAGNIE du Ponant has recorded astrong year of sales in Australia and may besending its next luxury vessel down under. A Ponant spokesperson told Cruise Weeklythat the company is “seriously looking at theyet-to-be-named new ship spending sometime in Australian waters”. Until then, L’Austral, launched in Apr, is setto make its maiden visit to Australia in March2012, calling at Townsville, Cairns, PortDouglas and Darwin. Represented in Australia by Travel theWorld, Ponant has been encouraged by thegrowth in local sales. “We have had a good year and the sales aresignificantly up on last years departures –approximately 40%,” said Michelle Taylor,TTW’s director of sales and marketing. Taylor also confirmed further details aboutthe sale of Le Diamant to InternationalShipping Partners (CW, 29 Nov). Ponant will continue to operate the vesselnext summer for its scheduled Celticitineraries from 06 June to 20 Sep 2012. “This enables CDP to honour severalcharters planned for a long time and tocommercialise five Celtic cruises, whichshould be as successful as last yearconsidering the first level of 2012 bookings,”Taylor said. The sale of the 37-year old Le Diamant ispart of the line’s fleet modernisation, butTaylor said there were no plans to sell the 20-year-old Le Ponant.
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“CDP does not intend to sell Le Ponant,which is an iconic ship of CDP, her three sailsbeing the symbol of its logo. “Le Ponant offers unique itineraries andmoorings in the cruising industry.” MEANWHILE, a new name has not yet beenchosen for the next yacht, which is set todebut in June 2013, but it is likely to beselected through a consumer competition.“Timing is still being finalised,” Taylor said.
Bareboating wins over Aussies BAREBOATING in the Whitsundays has wonover Australian holidaymakers, taking homethe award for the Best Cruise or YachtingExperience in Australia at the AustralianTraveller 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards. “The Whitsundays is renowned as one of thebest sailing areas in the world and this awardlays testament to the experience that theWhitsundays offers to holiday makers wantinga water based holiday,” said Mark Windsor,head of distribution for Sunsail, who acceptedthe award on behalf of Tourism Whitsundaysand the Bareboat Charter Industry based inthe Whitsundays. MEANWHILE Sunsail has just released a 35%Christmas discount for travel through to theend of Mar 2012, including the Christmas andNew Year period. “This equates to just $46 per person/nighton a five day charter sailing our SunsailOceanis 323,” said Windsor. “Those that don’t wish to Bareboat (orskipper themselves), can hire a Skipper for anadditional $315 per day which makes for avery affordable private cruise,” he added. For more info call 1800 803 988 or visitwww.sunsail.com.au.
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Thursday 01 December 2011
Costa’s Rustico farewells AustralasiaDario Rustico says it’s been “ahell of a ride” as he returns toItaly for a new role. COSTA Cruises’ vice president of sales andmarketing in the Pacific Asia region, DarioRustico, has accepted a new positionoverseeing the company’s developmentacross the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East,India and the Indian Ocean, as well as Costa’soffices in Switzerland and Austria. The new role will see him relocate to the Genoaheadquarters after six years based in Hong Kong. Rustico’s vacated position will be taken upby Buhdy Bok, the current vice president ofChina operations, whose extended positionwill now also include all Pacific Asiaoperations, effective 1 Jan 2012.
Rustico told Cruise Weekly that Costa wouldcontinue to pursue the same strategy in theregion, with no other staff changes in thesales, marketing and operations departments. “The Oceania team will remain unchanged,as well as our intention to further strengthenour local distribution network,” he said. “Costa is actually strengthening its presencein the region, increasing capacity by 40%during 2012.” Rustico also said he would maintain hisinterest in Australia, which he has regularlyvisited over the past decade. “A lot of agents ultimately became myfriends and not just business partners so I willsurely keep in touch and continue to be thefirst fan of the Australia market, from afar.” He described his experience in the region as“a hell of a ride” and did not rule out a return. “Who knows if I won’t be back in thefuture,” he said.Oriana to stay longer in drydock
P&O CRUISES’ Oriana has had her drydockstay extended and won’t finish up until mid-Dec, as the work required to complete her shipenhancements is “taking longer thanexpected”. As a result, Oriana’s three-night 09 Dec, five-night 12 Dec and two-night 17 Dec 2011voyages have been cancelled. Guests booked on Oriana’s 09 Dec sailinghave been offered the chance to switch to anew cruise with the same itinerary departingonboard Arcadia on 09 Dec or receive a fullrefund, whilst passengers who booked on the12 Dec cruise will receive a full refund plus£100 per person onboard credit to book ontoanother sailing, and guests on the 17 Decsailing are being offered the chance to swap toa new three-night Arcadia voyage departing on06 Dec 2011 at no extra cost.
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ICCA UPDATEICCA General Manager,
Brett Jardine
ICCA’s Interview with aCruise Expert
ICCA GeneralManager, BrettJardine asked GuyBatten (picturedleft) fromConcierge Travellerto share somethoughts.
When did you complete your ICCAAccreditation?March 2009 then Masters in 2010.
How has this helped grow your sales?Attending the ICCA training seminars,the Masters conference and variousother ICCA seminars has greatlyincreased my knowledge,understanding and appreciation of thecruise industry and my personal role init. These courses have given me aconfidence in selling that has made itrelatively easy for me to overcomeobjections and to close the sale. Theresult has meant a discernible increasein the number of cruises sold this last year.
How do you promote your ICCAAccreditation?The Concierge Traveller websitedescribes my status as a Cruise Master.We regularly host in-house functions fornew and existing clients where myaccreditation is acknowledged. Inaddition, I am regularly delighted whenexisting clients tell me that they passthis important information on to otherprospective clients.What makes you stand out from yourcompetitors?I have a deep and loyal core of repeatclients who have become more friendsmore than clients and who gladly refertheir friends to me. My goal is to keepabreast of their changing likes anddislikes which helps me to qualify andrecommend the right cruise line thatbest suits their needs.
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Now recruiting: For details call Philippa on 1300 369 848 or email: [email protected]
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Thursday 01 December 2011
2010/11 Sydney port report SYDNEY remains Australia’s passenger cruisecapital, with remarkable growth in thenumber of Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT)and Barangaroo visits to 153 in 2010/11compared to 119 the previous year, accordingto Sydney Ports 2010/11 Annual Report. This figure represents a 29% year-on-yearincrease, whilst a further increase to 213 visitsis expected for the 2011/12 financial year. The report also highlighted the result of theCruise Passenger Terminal SteeringCommittee’s investigation into the site of anew additional cruise terminal east ofthe Sydney Harbour Bridge, which SydneyPorts said would be required in the nextdecade to cater to the growing number ofships choosing to call in Sydney. According to the Port, the SteeringCommittee found no suitable alternativecruise ship terminal locations east of theBridge and instead recommended alterationsto the existing OPT and the installation ofa mooring dolphin to allow the OPT to takelarger ships. Meanwhile the Port Authority alsoannounced that the Federal Minister forDefence, Stephen Smith, will launch anindependent review into whether there isscope to further increase cruise shipaccess to the Royal Australian Navy’sGarden Island facility without affectingnaval operations. “Notwithstanding the other initiativesfor cruise ships, Sydney Harbour remainsAustralia’s busiest cruise destination and homeport,” the report said.
Protesters block Safari Explorer PROTESTERS travelling on boats andsurfboards blocked American Safari Cruises’Safari Explorer from entering KaunakakaiHarbor in Molokai, Hawaii, last weekend. Explorer was forced to cancel its call afterfailing to gain access to the Harbour. The demonstrators were reportedlyprotesting over tourism concerns, with theisland being renowned for resisting thedevelopment of its tourist industry. The cruise line told media that “The door isopen on our end” to listen to and work withthe community.
NEW cruise art craze? A US art student, Joel Brochu, has possiblystarted a new fad in the art world, by makingheadlines for his fine art project which payedhomage to pointillism (painting with smalldistinct dots) and the post-impressionistpainter Georges-Pierre Seurat. The project, a picture of a beagle having abath, was created with painstakingprecision over an eight month period, using221,184 candy sprinkles. The picture used six colours of sprinklesplaced individually on a four by one and ahalf foot board covered with double sidedtape and glue. Probabally not for the shorter cruises,sprinkle art could take offon full world voyages...
Last minute Pandaw discounts PANDAW is offering some very last minutedeals on a selection of its remaining 2011Mekong sailings, including 20% off its 03 Dec2011 seven-night Saigon and Siem ReapMekong Downstream journey, now pricedfrom $1,808pp. Other deals include 20% off Pandaw’s 24 Dec2011 seven-night Saigon and Siem Reap UpstreamMekong sailing- see www.pandaw.com.
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Thursday 01 December 2011
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Under 35’s cruise in Sydney PEOPLE under 35 can now enjoy a cruise onSydney Harbour tailored for a younger market,with the launch of Captain Cook Cruises’Sydney Harbour Venture Cruise. The inaugural voyage will commence on 12Dec 2011 and will be followed with departuresevery Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The voyage onboard Aussie Venture departsat 1.30pm and will include three and halfhours of fun, sun and swimming with a picniclunch, great music, and a swim at one ofSydney’s most secluded beaches. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages willalso be available to purchase from Venture’sonboard bar. To celebrate the launch the cruise line hasannounced a special introductory price of only$49 per person (normally $65 per person)available until 31 Mar 2012. For more info see www.captaincook.com.au.
P&O is hoping to transit Venus GUESTS have the opportunity to view therare astronomical transit of Venus on 06 Jun2012, just as Captain Cook did during hisvoyage to Tahiti in 1769 onboard the cruiseline’s 11-night Pacific Islands voyage onboardPacific Pearl departing Sydney on 03 Jun 2012(from $999pp/qs). “The last transit occurred in 2004 and thenext is scheduled for 2117, meaning the 2012event is the last chance to witness thespectacle this lifetime,” said Jenny Lourey,senior vp of Carnival Australia. The transit will also be visible during PacificJewel’s 30 May 2012 nine-night Pacific Islandscruise from Sydney priced from $949pp/qs; aswell as the 03 Jun Pacific Sun seven-nightQueensland itinerary out of Brisbane from$599pp/qs; and P&O’s 02 Jun 12-night PacificDawn Pacific Islands cruise departing Brisbanefrom $1,099pp/qs.
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Cayman cruise cancellations CARNIVAL Legend, Carnival Valor,Norwegian Sun, Voyager of the Seas andDisney Magic have had to change theiritineraries this week due to the closure ofGrand Cayman port because of bad weather. Legend, Valor, Magic and Voyager all optedto spent the day at sea instead of adding adifferent port.
STX improves its Q3 earnings SHIPBUILDING group STX Europe scoopedoperating revenues of $5,243 million NorwegianKrone (NOK) for the Q3 2011 period. STX also clocked pre-tax earnings of 650mNOK, up an impressive $283m NOK from thesame period last year, whilst pre-tax profit forthe quarter was $535m NOK, compared to195m last year.
NCL treats guests pre-cruise THIS week Norwegian Cruise Line launched anew shoreside concierge desk for guestsbooked into The Haven by Norwegian. The desk is designed to provide Haven guestswith pre-cruise assistance in arranging avariety of services and amenities includingdining and entertainment, booking shoreexcursions, making spa and salonappointments and taking special requests suchas pillow preference. Guests will receive an email confirmationprior to their sailing reconfirming their requests.