The arrival of the first international cruise ship heralds the return of cruise. Bernadette Chua finds out what’s new in the coming weeks for Australia’s cruise industry.
This week saw the momentous return of P&O’s Pacific Explorer – the first international ship Australia has seen in two years. Three Sydney Harbour water cannon tugs escorted her through Bradley’s Head in style, with boaties and helicopters also joining the parade.
Her first cruise will be a spectacular four-night Sydney to Brisbane itinerary, giving passengers the opportunity to visit the Sunshine State’s new cruise terminal. The top suites are booked out and in the coming weeks, she’ll be loaded with local produce ready to get the party started.
“We’re seeing strong interest in P&O Cruises Australia’s first sailings, reflecting the eagerness of the cruise line’s many loyal guests to be back on the high seas and enjoying what they love most – cruising,” the line said in a statement.
“Booking levels are approaching 2019 pre pandemic levels, an encouraging development for the resurgence of cruising in Australia.”
Here’s what else is coming up.
Themed cruises
In July, fans of The King can join Pacific Explorer for an Elvis-themed cruise with themed parties, karaoke, trivia and much more. The four-night cruise is priced from $349 per person. In 2023, P&O will offer a once-in-a-lifetime five-night cruise from Western Australia to catch a glimpse of the first hybrid solar eclipse to be visible from Australia in 1000 years. Pacific Explorer will be positioned just off Exmouth, the only place on mainland Australia where you can view the eclipse, for the event. The cruise is priced from $1117 per person. The line will also bring back their Australian Open Tennis sailing and a special Pride Cruise.
At the beginning of next year, traditional cruise line Cunard is hosting a special Great Australian Culinary Voyage on Queen Elizabeth. The five-night sailing will have celebrity chef Matt Moran at the helm of the itinerary and visits culinary hotspots like Melbourne and Burnie. Australian food icon and Bundjalung man Mark Olive, a chef for more than 30 years, will be teaching guests native cooking secrets in a special cooking demonstration, and will also produce a three-course menu for a special dinner and Q&A session. Also onboard will be Darren Purchese, the owner of Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio in Melbourne, with his own take on Cunard’s Afternoon Tea, and a live cooking demonstration to follow. Fares start at $1349 per person.
Arrival of the big ships
Come June, we will see the arrival of the Coral Princess, the first Princess ship to return to our shores. She was refurbished in 2019 and turned into a MedallionClass ship with all the technological bells and whistles, including the Medallion device that is used for touchless check-in, keyless stateroom access and roaming food and drink orders. Her first sailing is a three-day round trip from Brisbane, fares from $259. Majestic Princess will arrive in October, beginning with a four-day Auckland to Sydney voyage visiting the Bay of Islands (from $699 per person), and Grand Princess in November.
We will see two new mega ships from Royal Caribbean in Sydney and Brisbane. Ovation of the Seas will be sailing from Sydney from October, starting with a cruise to New Zealand. New kid on the block Quantum of the Seas will be sailing out of Brisbane from the beginning of November and will kick off her season with a nine-night Tasmania cruise, priced from $1,124.
Kimberley calling
The Kimberley season is up and running with boutique Australian lines like True North and Coral Expeditions. True North has sailings until August, giving adventurers a snapshot of the Kimberley. Highlights include an exploration of the Sale River where you can go on a heli-fishing adventure. Prices for True North voyages start at $16,595.
Coral Expeditions has a limited number of suites available so get in quick. Their classic 10-day itinerary is an excellent overview of this magical part of the world and fares start at $12,170 per person.
Luxury line Ponant has added two sailings: two 10-night expeditions between Darwin to Broome on Le Soleal departing May. Guests will visit the crocodile-inhabited Hunter River, discover King George River on a Zodiac excursion and more. These cruises start at $10,060.
New destinations
Pacific Encounter will restart journeys to Papua New Guinea in November. Shore excursions include the Alotau Festival and Sing Sing, a P&O-exclusive local display of canoes, warriors, powerful music and dance. Laze on the unspoiled beaches of Kitava Island and visit a new destination – the peaceful Conflict Islands. The cruise is priced from $1,389 per person.
Meanwhile, Coral Expeditions has a 59-night lap of the country, retracing Captain Cook’s voyages on the East Coast. The itinerary explores World Heritage sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island. On the west coast, dive or snorkel the Rowley Shoals and dine with the winemakers at Leeuwin Estate in the Margaret River region. In Darwin, a private charter flight will transport guests to Uluru for the outdoor Sounds of Silence dinner. Fares start from $42,740 per person.
