Ep66 – Princess in Alsaka, Mardi Gras’ Maiden, Cunard’s Gardening, World Navigator & more

August 8, 2021 quality_baz 0 Comments
The Big Cruise Podcast
The Big Cruise Podcast
Ep66 - Princess in Alsaka, Mardi Gras' Maiden, Cunard's Gardening, World Navigator & more
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Ep66 - Overview

A trifecta of listener questions, the first of which forms Maritime History this week, followed by the latest cruise news from around the world. 

  • Craig asks “Is there a difference between a cruise and a crossing? 
  • Deb asks about tips for a 2022 Med cruise celebrating her milestone birthday. 
  • Michael asks for suggestions for a Greek Isles cruise for late 2022. 

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Image Credit: Majestic Princess in Alaska. Princess Cruises

Cruise News

  • RCI switches Australian deployment  
    • Royal Caribbean International today announced a new season of Australian domestic sailings on board returning favourite Ovation of the Seas. Ovation will sail from Sydney starting 13 th Dec. 2021 through 31st March 2022 offering a mix of 2- to 10-night domestic sailings visiting some of the country’s most famous cities and regions.
    • In lieu of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the opening of international borders and to ensure guests have peace of mind surrounding their holiday plans, Royal Caribbean has made the decision to cancel the following sailings:
      • Serenade of the Seas’ sailings from Sydney from 24 Oct. 2021 to 27 February 2022 inclusive
      • Ovation of the Seas’ sailings from Sydney from 27 Oct. 2021 to 10 April 2022 inclusive, and Ovation will be redeployed to a domestic only itinerary
    • Ovation will offer guests a raft of short breaks and voyages with 24 sailings from Sydney starting in December. Guests can choose from 2- to 10-night itineraries that visit ports such as Eden, Hobart, Adelaide, Brisbane, Port Douglas, Kangaroo Island, Airlie Beach, Cairns or Port Douglas. Plus, enjoy scenic excursions of the Great Barrier Reef, Willis Island and the NSW South Coast.
  • Cunard’s inaugural gardening journey rescheduled to 4 February 2023
    • Previously scheduled for 14 December 2021, Cunard’s inaugural seven-night gardening voyage will now set sail from Melbourne on 4 February 2023.
    • Cunard’s gardening journey offers guests the opportunity to indulge their love of gardening while enjoying all the delights of a summer cruise on Queen Elizabeth in Australia’s southern waters.
    • Leading gardening experts and well known personalities such as Graham Ross and Jamie Durie will join this special voyage to share their latest knowledge and garden trends with guests during informative talks, exciting shore excursions and intimate dinners. Topics will include rose gardening, small garden design, bee-keeping, lawn maintenance and growing native plants. Just to name a few.
    • Queen Elizabeth’s renowned entertainment program will have a green twist featuring a beautiful botanical themed High Tea, Garden to Plate talks and cooking classes focusing on using ingredients from your garden, and even a special gardening trivia hosted by the wonderful Julia Zaetta, the previous long-standing editor of Better Homes & Gardens.
    • Visiting the popular ports of Adelaide, Hobart and Port Arthur guests will be able to join bespoke gardening themed shore excursions. These new tours will be announced soon and are in addition to Cunard’s already extensive tour options.
  • Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line’s Newest and Most Innovative Ship, Departs On Maiden Voyage
    • Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship to set sail with guests from Port Canaveral since the industry-wide pause in operations 16 months ago.
    • As the line’s newest flagship, Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first to feature a roller coaster.  The 180,000-ton ship boasts six distinct themed zones with a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options, including dining venues from Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, Rudi Sodamin and its Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal.
    • Mardi Gras will set sail 31 July 2021 at 6 p.m. from Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 3 for a weeklong cruise with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Nassau, The Bahamas.
    • Mardi Gras is the fifth Carnival Cruise Line ship to resume service with additional vessels set to restart operations soon. By October, 15 Carnival ships will be sailing – more than half its fleet.
  • Princess Cruises Successfully Completes First Voyage
    • After an extended pause in operations, Majestic Princess returned to Seattle yesterday following its first successful voyage for Princess in the United States. The ship became the line’s first ship to return to service, kicking off the partial season of Alaska sailings departing through September 26, 2021. The round-trip, seven-day cruise visited Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.
    • Guests on board Majestic Princess this season, will visit signature ports, glaciers and attractions, and enjoy authentic Alaska-themed activities offered via its award-winning “North to Alaska” program.  The program celebrates the history and traditions of The Last Frontier bringing together local personalities, culture and Alaska seafood for guests. Signature specialty dining, Movies Under the Stars, production shows and Discovery@SEA programs are also available—from original musicals, magic shows, feature films, top comedians and original game shows to keep guests entertained.
    • Over the northern autumn season, Princess Cruises will begin sailing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Ft. Lauderdale. Starting between September 25 and November 28, 2021, cruises onboard eight Princess MedallionClass™ ships will once again take guests to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast.

 

  • Princess Cruises Unveils 2023 Alaska Cruises & Cruisetours Program
    • Princess Cruises announced its 2023 Alaska cruises and cruisetours season featuring six MedallionClass ships. On sale August 19, the program includes award-winning ship, Majestic Princess, and the cruise line’s newest vessel, Discovery Princess, where she’ll return to Alaska for her second season. With 145 departures, 14 unique itineraries, five glacier viewing experiences and departing from four convenient departure ports, key highlights of the program include:
    • Voyage of the Glaciers from Vancouver, B.C. or Anchorage (Whittier): Majestic Princess, Sapphire Princess and Grand Princess sail the top-rated, seven-day itinerary that features two glacier viewing experiences including Glacier Bay National Park.
    • Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure from Vancouver: Majestic Princess, Sapphire Princess and Grand Princess sail the top-rated, 14-day itinerary featuring four glacier viewing experiences including Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park. Guests can add a Cruise tour pre or post cruise visiting some of the five Princess-owned wilderness lodges.
    • Inside Passage from Seattle: Discovery Princess, the newest ship in the fleet, and Crown Princess, return to the Emerald City with seven-day Inside Passage voyages.
  • Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator Commences Service
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages’ first, newly constructed expedition ship World Navigator has launched. Designed for discerning, fun-seeking travellers, World Navigator brings guests on all-inclusive, luxury adventures to remote and captivating destinations around the world and serves up regionally inspired gourmet cuisine; unlimited premium wines and spirits, international beers, and specialty coffees; and a choice of a complimentary land excursion at every port. Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way promise also includes complimentary round-trip air travel and ground transfers for a complete and seamless luxe-adventure voyage.
    • World Navigator is Atlas’ first newly constructed small ship, appointed in retro-chic elegance, for an immersive and personalized travel experience. World Navigator is sailing seven- to 12-night Egypt and Greek Isles voyages for her inaugural summer 2021 season and reposition via the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America to sail nine- and 12-night expeditions in Antarctica.
    • World Navigator offers 98 suites and staterooms, ranging from the 183-sq.-ft. Adventure Staterooms to the ship’s signature one-bedroom, 466-sq.-ft. Navigator Suite. In March 2022, World Navigator will be the first ship to offer Solo Suites. All suites and staterooms are infused with European sophistication; incorporate modern technological conveniences; and include a stocked mini-refrigerator; L’OCCITANE bath amenities; slippers, robes, and binoculars to use on board; Nespresso coffee; teas; and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.
    • At 9,930 GRTs, the ship fosters a refined and convivial ambience and is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified. World Navigator will be joined by sister-ships World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023.

And more

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