Ep114 – QM2 Cruise Review, Cruise News & Listener Questions

The Big Cruise Podcast
The Big Cruise Podcast
Ep114 - QM2 Cruise Review, Cruise News & Listener Questions
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Ep114 Overview

In Episode 114 of The Big Cruise Podcast, we celebrate the life and maritime service of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, answering Listener Questions about her and the ships she had named/christened. Cruise News return with great cruise news from around the world and finally Keith joins us to review his recent cruise from New York to Southampton onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

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Listener Questions

  • Luke – Did the late QEII ever sail on Cunard?
  • Barrie – How many ships did the late Queen of England christen?
  • Margie – What is the difference between the Queen and Queen Consort?

Cruise Review - QM2

  • Review of QM2 by Keith from USA
  • Cruise Line: Cunard Line
  • Ship: Queen Mary 2
  • Passengers: 2691
  • Crew: 1173
  • Itinerary: New York to Southampton
  • Ship Info: Queen Mary 2  Cunard

Cruise News

P&O Welcomes Third Ship to Australia.

  • The entire P&O Cruises Australia fleet of three magnificent ships has returned home to resume cruising in Australia with the arrival in Sydney today of Pacific Adventure, which later in the day is set to become one of the tallest ships to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
  • Pacific Adventure sailed through the Heads this morning on her way initially to the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Celebrations surrounding Pacific Adventure’s arrival were scaled back as a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
  • A special marine engineering project has given Pacific Adventure the ‘head room’ necessary for the ship to sail under the bridge to the White Bay Cruise Terminal.
  • An important homecoming for the 109,000-tonne 2600-guest Pacific Adventure as it will be based year-round in Sydney to take cruise fans on itineraries to Australian destinations and to the South Pacific where cruising is vital to island economies.
  • Pacific Adventure’s first commercial cruise will depart from Sydney on October 22 on a three-night comedy cruise.
  • Pacific Adventure’s arrival means that P&O, as Australia’s home-grown cruise line, can expand its presence sailing from a number of Australian ports and from Auckland in New Zealand.
  • Of the three P&O ships now home, Pacific Encounter is based in Brisbane for year-round cruising, Pacific Adventure is based in Sydney. Pacific Explorer will do cruise seasons from Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle and Cairns. Explorer will do an extended Auckland cruise season from June to November next year.

Carnival Gets Keys to the Newest Fun Ship as Ship Transitions from Costa Fleet

  • Transitioning from sister line Costa, Carnival Luminosa has officially joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet today as the newest Fun Ship which will debut from Brisbane, Australia, Nov. 6, 2022.
  • In Palermo, Italy, this morning, Costa Captain Nicolantonio Palombella handed over the ship to Carnival Captain Adriano Binacchi, with additional leadership team members from both lines in attendance. Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald captured the moment in a video which can be viewed here.
  • Arriving to Australia in just two months, Carnival Luminosa will sail a variety of seasonal itineraries from Brisbane from Nov. 6, 2022 to April 13, 2023, offering something for everyone, before repositioning for seasonal service from Seattle to Alaska next May, including some exotic, first-time-for-Carnival destinations.
  • Carnival Luminosa is a sister ship to the four other Spirit-class ships and will accommodate up to 2,826 guests and 1,050 Carnival crew members. Carnival Luminosa will be home to many of the activities and experiences from other Carnival ships that guests have come to know and love as well as some new spaces.
  • Featuring guest favourites from entertainment, youth, and spa, to casino, bars and dining, offerings will include Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table, Bonsai Sushi Express, Seaday Brunch, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Cloud 9 Spa, among others.

Green Eggs and Ham breakfast return to Carnival Fleet

  • For the first time since the line’s pause in guest operations, Carnival Cruise Line will officially bring back its Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends across its fleet on sailings beginning Oct. 1. The breakfast is part of the many exciting experiences in Carnival’s Seuss at Sea program, the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
  • Guests are encouraged to pack their imagination, as well as their appetites, as the whole family embarks on a breakfast that’s part meal and part journey into the deliciously whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.
  • Bringing Dr. Seuss’ famed children’s books to life, the breakfast features special appearances and meet and greet photo opportunities with favourite Dr. Seuss characters, helping create unforgettable memories no matter the age.
  • From Green Eggs and Ham – of course – to brightly coloured fruit, gravity-defying fluffy pancake stacks, funky french toast, “Moose Juice” and “Goose Juice,” and much more, the fantastical feast features unique menu items, as well as classic breakfast offerings, accompanied by décor with bright colours and patterns. The breakfast is offered once per cruise.
  • In addition to the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, the Seuss at Sea fleetwide program features fun youth, family, dining and entertainment activities inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss, such as the Seuss-a-Palooza Story Time (beginning Nov. 1), Dr. Seuss Bookville, a family reading venue on select ships, character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games, and popular movies shown on board.

Cunard British Film Festival Down Under

  • Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace, will once again delight audiences with a superb line-up including many of the biggest and best films from the region.
  • This year’s festival will showcase the talents of Britain’s finest filmmakers and actors including Stephen Frears, Sally Hawkins, Colin Farrell, Bill Nighy and more.
  • Opening the festival on 19 October (18 October in Adelaide) is the premiere of the highly anticipated MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS, a whimsical tale based on the popular novel. Starring the fabulous Lesley Melville as the titular Mrs. Harris, it follows her adventures as she embarks on a journey through Parisian high fashion.
  • James Bond fans will be delighted with a special program showcasing six decades of iconic style and adventure. Highlights include DR.NO (60th anniversary), ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969), starring Australia’s Bond George Lazenby, SKYFALL (2012) on its 10-year anniversary and 1967’s YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
  • Inspired by the true story of the discovery of King Richard III’s remains beneath a Leicester car park, THE LOST KING is a comedy-drama from Stephen Frears. Starring Sally Hawkins as a woman who forced academics and scholars to rethink everything they knew about one the most controversial kings in British history, and co-writer Steve Coogan as her husband.
  • The Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
    • Sydney: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
    • Canberra: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Electric Cinemas
    • Melbourne: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and Pentridge Cinemas
    • Brisbane: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Barracks and Palace James Street
    • Adelaide: 18 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
    • Perth: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
    • Byron Bay: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Byron Bay

Holland America Becomes First and Only Cruise Line Certified Sustainable for Alaska Seafood

  • Holland America Line has been awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification — making it the first and only cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. RFM certified all six of the cruise line’s ships that sail to Alaska following an independent audit.
  • RFM is a third-party certification program for wild-capture fisheries and is aligned with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the most comprehensive set of international standards and best practices for wild fisheries. The RFM ecolabel includes the seafood product’s origin and tells consumers where their food comes from every step of the way — starting with the Alaska fishers and processors and continuing to the cruise line’s receipt of product and to the guest’s plate.
  • Usage of the RFM logo signifies solid commitment to a distinctive Chain of Custody program that assures buyers and guests their seafood is legally harvested, obtained from responsibly managed certified sustainable fisheries, and can be traced back to its origin.
  • Serving Alaska seafood on Holland America Line ships has long been part of the brand’s immersive culinary experiences. On any Alaska cruise, the line serves more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska Salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish and more.

Holland America Line Reports Positive Results of Cruise Industry’s First Long-Term Biofuel Test on Board Volendam at Port of Rotterdam

  • Holland America Line completed the cruise industry’s first multiweek test of biofuels on board Volendam at Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The 20-day test was conducted in partnership with GoodFuels, a leading producer and supplier of sustainable biofuels for the transportation industry, and Wärtsilä, a global leader in power and propulsion technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine market.
  • The assessment was completed September 7. In the first five days of the test the ship used a mix of 30% biofuel and 70% marine gas oil (MGO) in one of its main auxiliary engines. For the final 15 days of testing, the ship used 100% biofuel. According to GoodFuels, there was a 78% decrease in lifecycle CO2 emissions during the final 15 days of trial compared to marine gas oil emissions.
  • Dutch-flagged Volendam was selected for the test since it was located at the Port of Rotterdam, one of the global ports where GoodFuels operates the infrastructure necessary to provide biofuel waterside fueling services. There is no significant difference for the ship’s team members in handling regular fuel oil versus biofuel. The use of a “drop-in” biofuel such as the one tested on Volendam requires no shipboard refitting or special equipment.
  • What Are Biofuels?
  • The advanced biofuel is derived from feedstocks that are certified as 100% waste or residue, with no land-use issues and no competition with food production or deforestation.

Holland America Line’s 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage Returns After a Decade

  • Holland America Line is continuing to bolster its longer voyages departing from a North America homeport, and the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage is the newest addition. The 94-day journey that’s been more than 10 years in the making departs Jan. 3, 2024, aboard Volendam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California.
  • 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage Highlights
    • 94 days. Departs Jan. 3, 2024, sailing roundtrip from San Diego aboard Volendam.
    • 43 ports of call, including 17 around the Australian continent.
    • 4 overnight calls: Fremantle (Perth) and Sydney, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Papeete, Tahiti.
    • 2 evening departures: Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brisbane, Australia.
    • Two full days of scenic cruising in the famed Great Barrier Reef, exploring the Ribbon Reef and Far North regions.
    • 16 calls at a collection of stunning South Pacific islands.
    • A call at Komodo Island, with the opportunity to see the iconic Komodo Dragon prowling the landscape.
    • Scenic cruising in the Torres Strait and Milford Sound.
    • Two shorter segments are available: 58 days from San Diego to Sydney and 36 days from Sydney to San Diego.

Celebrity Cruises announces new partnership with Four Pillars Gin

  • Globally renowned for raising the bar on innovative food and beverage-focused experiences at sea, Celebrity Cruises is excited to announce a new partnership with Australia’s leading craft distillery, Four Pillars Gin, serving up a range of exclusive experiences for guests on board Celebrity Eclipse this 2022-23 season.
  • Celebrity Cruises will be the first cruise line to offer custom curated Four Pillars cocktails at sea, with four craft gin cocktails available throughout the entire 2022-23 season at ten bars onboard Celebrity Eclipse. Guests will be able to gaze out at the glistening Pacific Ocean, while sipping their favourite gin cocktails with botanicals from the very regions they’re visiting. The gins include Four Pillars’ award-winning Rare Dry, Fresh Yuzu, Bloody Shiraz and Navy Strength.
  • Offering the ultimate destination-inspired holiday, travellers on the five-night sailing to Tasmania, departing Sydney on 10 March 2023, will be hosted by Four Pillars Senior Brand Ambassador, Wes Baimbridge, marking Celebrity Cruises’ first ever gin-focused sailing. Pairing two award-winning trailblazers in the food and drinks space, culinary-curious travellers will have the opportunity to refine their palate with exclusive gin tasting and food pairing experiences.
  • Showcasing the finest of each destination guests will visit, highlights of the Celebrity Eclipse five-night gin-centric itinerary includes:
    • Sail Away Party with Four Pillars, featuring a complimentary gin cocktail to celebrate the start of the sailing, plus more surprises.
    • Intimate Q&As with Wes Baimbridge, Four Pillars Senior Brand Ambassador, to discover the story behind the brand and crafting of Four Pillars’ award-winning gins.
    • Series of exclusive events throughout the sailing including gin tasting sessions to learn the essentials of food and gin pairing; gin and oyster flights; exclusive gin appreciation and pairing dinner; and hands-on cocktail masterclasses.

Princess Cruises Unveils Bespoke Next Generation Ship – Sun Princess®

  • Princess Cruises revealed a stunning new and bespoke ship platform that will be the brand’s largest ship ever accommodating over 4,000 guests.  The new Sun Princess will boast stunning views, expansive venues, innovative entertainment venues, multi-story dining rooms and next level stateroom accommodations while remaining true to the smooth clean lines and design aesthetics inspired by the Seawitch icon and popularised in the original “Love Boat” TV series and returning the venerable “Sun Princess” name back into operation.
  • Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard and scheduled to debut in early 2024, the 175,500-ton vessel is the largest Princess ship ever constructed and embraces Italian heritage by featuring a next-level, brand-iconic Piazza and The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini. Sun Princess will also feature the exclusive Princess Medallion that will extend Princess’s leadership position in delivering exceptional personalized experiences at unmatched scale.  Princess is unique in the ability to deliver incredible cruise ship amenities typical of the largest ships in the world while delivering personalized service found on the industry’s smallest ships.
  • The inaugural season for Sun Princess begins in early 2024 with Mediterranean itineraries. The ship’s first three voyages will go on sale at 8.00AM AEST Friday, September 16 for Elite guests, and midnight for the general public.
  • This is the third ship to be honored with the Sun Princess name, adding to the legacy of the first ship sailing from 1974 to 1988 and the second ship sailing from 1995 to 2020. At that time, she had the largest number of balcony cabins, and the cruise line’s first 24-hour cafe.

Azamara Unveils New Europe 2024 Itineraries for its Four-Ship Fleet

  • Azamara – the upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences – is pleased to unveil 84 Europe itineraries across its four-ship fleet for 2024. Of the 84 new itineraries, 53 are Country Intensive voyages with over 50% of port calls being a late night or overnight, allowing guests ample time to dive deeper into the local culture and hidden gems of an individual country. On September 9, the cruise line will also launch a brand-new video series, ‘Lens of a Local,’ allowing guests to get an exclusive look into the immersive excursions that can be experienced from a local’s perspective on an Azamara voyage.
  • Azamara is also expanding the company’s longtime exclusive partnership with leading provider of international golf tours, PerryGolf, to offer the most worldwide golf sailings yet, with over 15 departures available to book in 2024. Highlights include:
    • Azamara Quest’s 12-Night British Isles Intensive Golf Voyage & The 152nd Open at Royal Troon: Beginning in Dublin, Ireland and concluding in Edinburgh, Scotland, this itinerary is beautifully balanced with famous city experiences like Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow and Dundee plus exceptional golf at world renowned and highly revered venues around the British Isles such as Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Royal Dornoch, Royal County Down & Royal Portrush. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend the final two days of The 152nd Open at Royal Troon with PerryGolf.
    • Azamara Pursuit’s 12-Night South Africa Intensive Voyage: This Country Intensive voyage allows guests to see more of South Africa’s vibrant ports, exotic safaris, golden beaches, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests have the option to play five rounds of golf at East London Golf Club, one of South Africa’s favorite championship venues for decades; Pearl Valley, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course set in the famous Franschhoek Wine region; and more.
    • Azamara Journey’s 16-Night New Zealand & Australia Voyage: Travelers will discover natural wonders, Indigenous cultures, and extraordinary wildlife on this journey from New Zealand to Australia, sailing through the spectacular Milford Sound. PerryGolf offers six rounds of golf at some of the most renowned courses in the region, including the #1 course in New Zealand, Cape Kidnappers, as well as the second oldest course in New Zealand, Christchurch Golf Club.
    • Azamara Quest’s 9-Night Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Voyage: Beginning in beautiful Buenos Aires and concluding with an overnight in spirited Rio De Janeiro, this sailing includes a round of golf at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio, site of golf’s 2016 return to the Olympic Games. Travelers can also add on a post-voyage land program to visit the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.

Saga Ocean Cruises lines up stellar 2022/2023 celebrity entertainment

  • Saga Ocean Cruises lines up stellar 2022/2023 celebrity entertainment with Jools Holland, Alfie Boe, Phil Vickery and Kevin Woodford
  • Saga guests are in for an entertainment treat thanks to the celebrity line-up the cruise operator has confirmed for late 2022 and throughout 2023.
  • The famous composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland, returns to the Saga stage on six cruises between February and September 2023. Guests will be wowed with performances in the 444-seater Playhouse Theatre of some of Jools’ popular sets including Barrel House, Take Me, Peace in the Valley and How sweet it is.
  • The 2023 cruises Jools and his band will perform on are:
    • Colours of the Canaries departing February 2
    • Arctic Norway and the Northern Lights departing February 18
    • Venice and the Treasures of the Adriatic departing April 9
    • Contrasts of Scandinavia departing May 21
    • Islands of the Western Mediterranean departing August 20
    • Ancient Cities of the Eastern Mediterranean departing September 4
  • And music fans can also now experience the incredible singing talents of Alfie Boe. As a young boy, Lancashire-born Alfie dreamed of a career as a singer and has since then conquered the world’s most prestigious opera stages, led the cast of Les Miserables for nearly a year, and stolen the show at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. He has also sold-out three UK Tours (including the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall) and appeals to hundreds of thousands of fans, having achieved Platinum album sales in the UK, and four top ten album placings.
    • Alfie will perform on the Morocco and the Islands of the Atlantic cruise departing on November 15, 2022 on Spirit of Discovery.
  • And the chef, presenter and cookery book author, Phil Vickery, will be joining the Cape Verde and the Canaries cruise departing November 19, 2022 to deliver a live cooking demonstration and Q&A session to guests. Vickery is often best known as part of the This Morning family and is firmly regarded as one of Britain’s favourite chefs.
  • Keeping with the cuisine theme, chef and presenter Kevin Woodford, will be performing a ‘Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook’ masterclass and ‘A Question of Food’ Q&A session with guests on the Flavours of the Western Mediterranean cruise departing on October 31, 2022.

Look ahead to a festive break with Fred. Olsen Cruise Line

  • Balmoral’s eight-night L2232 ‘European Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 2nd December 2022.
    • Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Zeebrugge, Belgium – Gothenburg, Sweden – Copenhagen, Denmark – Cruising Kiel Canal, Germany – Hamburg, Germany – Portsmouth, England
  • Borealis’ nine-night S2231 ‘River Cities and German Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 5th December 2022.
    • Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising North Sea Canal, Netherlands – Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight stay) – Cruising River Elbe, Germany – Hamburg, Germany (overnight stay) – Liverpool, England
  • Balmoral’s 12-night L2233 ‘Festive Spain and Portugal’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 10th December 2022.
    • Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Lisbon, Portugal – Cádiz, Spain – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Vigo, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Portsmouth, England
  • Borealis’ eight-night S2232 ‘Festive Spanish City Break’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 14th December 2022.
    • Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Gijon, Spain – Getxo (Bilbao), Spain – Vigo, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Liverpool, England

Vida Portugal! Avalon Waterways unveils plans to make its debut on the Douro with a new Suite Ship

  • Avalon Waterways has announced that it will make its Douro debut with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – in 2024. Embarking on its first-ever sailings in Portugal, Avalon Waterways is poised to offer a new view of the Old World.
  • Hillside vineyards and historic villages await guests as they sail through Portugal’s postcard-perfect views on Avalon’s all-new, eight-day cruise that begins and ends in Porto and is filled with Avalon’s signature, included ‘Classic,’ ‘Discovery’ and ‘Active’ excursion choices. Featuring everything from ancient Amarante – in the picturesque Minho region, known for its golden church that dates back to 1530 – to the sandstone architecture in Salamanca Spain; rock art to riding bikes from Porto to the sea, this new cruise promises countless ways to soak up the splendour – from medieval castles to cinematic scenery and all the vinho, baked bread, olives and cheese a traveller could desire.
  • Day-by-day sneak peek:
    • Day 1: Welcome to Porto with an optional food tour, embarkation and overnight in the city.
    • Day 2: Excursion choices include stepping back in time in Guimarães’ historic city centre or cruising along the coast, on bike, from Porto Ribeira to the sea. The ship overnights in Porto Antigo.
    • Day 3: Today’s choice of excursions includes a visit to one of the Douro Valley’s oldest farms, with food tasting near Peso da Régua and an overnight in Pinhão.
    • Day 4: Experience a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, a charming village nestled between the nearby mountains, complete with regional wine-tasting or rock art in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Tonight, Avalon Alegria docks in Barca d’Alva.
    • Day 5: Choose from classic sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta or a visit to Salamanca in Spain. Learn to bake traditional Portuguese pastries (florinhas) during a hands-on optional excursion.
    • Day 6: Paint a typical azulejos tile guided by a professional painter during a relaxing morning sail.  Spend the afternoon in Amarante and fado the evening away. Guests overnight in Porto with plenty of free time to peruse the city. Cruisers are always choosers with Avalon.
    • Day 7: UNESCO the day away exploring Porto – with optional excursions ranging from a canal cruise to celebratory Portuguese traditions – before spending one more night in the city.
    • Day 8: The cruise comes to an end in Porto.
  • Living up to its name (which, in Portuguese, means happiness), the Avalon Alegria – like the rest of the company’s fleet of Suite Ships – will feature signature, award-winning Panorama Suites on two full decks. Each Suite provides guests 200-square-feet of living space, Open-Air Balconies and beds facing the views for which Avalon river cruising is famous. In addition, the Alegria, will provide guests with a pool on the Sky Deck to bask in the sun and soak-in the beauty of Portugal while sailing from a new, poolside point-of-view.
  • This new Suite Ship, built exclusively to sail the Douro, will have a total of 14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites, accommodating just 102 guests and 33 crew members.

And last…. The Biggest Cruise news for Australia & New Zealand….

  • For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during brand-new “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises beginning late October 2023. The ship is the destination on these limited-time voyages, which have been specially created to immerse local guests in their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories through enchanting entertainment and enhanced experiences throughout each cruise.
  • The Disney Wonder will embark on these “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises through February 2024, ranging from two to six nights and departing from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand.
  • During the repositioning voyages between Honolulu and Sydney in October 2023 and February 2024, the Disney Wonder will offer the fleet’s first-ever South Pacific itineraries. These brand-new cruises will give guests from around the world the chance to experience exotic destinations like Fiji and Samoa. Bookings open to the public on Oct. 6, 2022
  • AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND CRUISES 2023 – 2024
    • Cruises from Sydney
      • Sail Dates: 28/10/23, 01/11/23, 24/12/23, 28/12/23, 03/01/24, 05/01/24, 08/01/24, 12/01/24,
      • 14/01/24, 20/01/24, 23/01/24, 12/02/24
      • Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 12/01/24, per person based on double occupancy):
      • Inside Stateroom: US$720
      • Oceanview Stateroom: US$789
      • Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$918
      • Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1741
    • Cruises from Melbourne
      • Sail dates: 03/11/23, 05/11/23, 09/11/23, 12/11/23, 16/11/23, 26/01/24, 30/01/24, 02/02/24,
      • 05/2/24, 09/02/24
      • Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 03/11/23, per person based on double occupancy):
      • Inside Stateroom: US$546
      • Oceanview Stateroom: US$593
      • Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$689
      • Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1281
    • Cruises from Brisbane
      • Sail Dates: 08/12/23, 11/12/23, 15/12/23, 20/12/23, 22/12/23
      • Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 20/12/23, per person based on double occupancy):
      • Inside Stateroom: US$755
      • Oceanview Stateroom: US$821
      • Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$951
      • Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1760
    • Cruises from Auckland
      • Sail Dates: 21/11/23, 25/11/23, 28/11/23, 01/12/23, 04/12/23
      • Prices starting from (for 3 nights on 28/11/23, per person based on double occupancy):
      • Inside Stateroom: US$760
      • Oceanview Stateroom: US$818
      • Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$929
      • Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1705
  • Prices based on stateroom category, sail date and party size. Prices include applicable taxes/GST, port expenses and fees. Sail dates and staterooms are subject to availability. Visit disneycruiseline.com/AUNZ beginning September 26, 2022 to check current pricing, availability and itineraries. Prices shown above are not guaranteed, are subject to change without notice, and do not include optional gratuities ($29-46.50 USD per person). Prices shown above are for the following categories: Concierge Family Stateroom with Verandah (03A), Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah (07A), Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (09D), and Standard Inside Stateroom (11B).
Image Credit: Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line
Image Credit: Sun Princess, Princess Cruises

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