Miss any shipshape updates this week? Get up to speed with the latest intel, thanks to our weekly wrap of all the news making waves in cruising right now.
Finally! There’s so much going on in the world of cruising again (Hurrah!).
So to make your life easier in navigating it all, we’ve fathomed it all out by curating a wrap of the latest news you need to know this week.
Welcome aboard. The sail-away party starts right here.
Technology and innovation: How the cruise industry plans to hit net-zero
As consumers continue to become more and more climate-conscious, travel agents will likely field questions about cruises and sustainability. Here’s what you can tell your clients as Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) President and CEO Kelly Craighead said that “innovation and engineering are at the heart of the industry’s vision for net zero carbon cruising”.
Read on for more here.
Chimu embarks on first-ever Antarctic expedition to locate colossal squid
Chimu Adventures’ charter launches the first-ever Antarctic scientific expedition to find the elusive colossal squid, working with ocean exploration and conservation non-profit Kolossal. Departing 30 November, the Ocean Endeavour’s Complete Antarctica 14-day charter with special guest Adam Spencer will be the pilot voyage for Kolossal’s three-year search for the colossal squid.
Find out more at chimuadventures.com
Celebrity Cruises first back to Dunedin and Christchurch in New Zealand
Celebrity Cruises marked a major milestone as the first cruise line to return to Dunedin in 955 days on Wednesday 26 October. On her first sailing of the 2022-23 season, Celebrity Eclipse was welcomed into the South Island’s second-largest city, making her debut in the region along with the resumption of cruising in Dunedin. Today, Celebrity Eclipse was the first ship to call into New Zealand’s first purpose-built cruise ship facility in Lyttelton. As the first ship to visit Christchurch since early 2020, the arrival of Celebrity Eclipse also celebrates the city’s return to cruising.
Find out more at celebritycruises.com/au
Pacific Explorer is the first major cruise ship back to Tasmania
P&O Cruises Australia flagship Pacific Explorer made a spectacular entrance in Hobart on Tuesday 25 October, bringing the first major cruise line visitors to Tasmania after an absence of more than two years. Pacific Explorer is one of 10 ships from six of Carnival Australia’s cruise brands to make 62 ship calls to Tasmanian destinations during the current summer cruise season, adding $34.7 million to the state’s economy.
Find out more at pocruises.com.au
Hurtigruten Norway reveals 60+ new excursions for 2023 premium journeys
Ahead of the Svalbard Express and North Cape Express officially launching in 2023, Hurtigruten has unveiled its 63 new optional excursions, which are now available to book online. An upgraded extension of the traditional Coastal Express, which connects 34 communities along Norway’s coast, the two new itineraries will offer half- and full-day port visits – a first in the company’s nearly 130-year history.
Find out more at hurtigruten.com.au
Shining a light on Carnival Luminosa’s special features ahead of Australian debut
Ahead of Carnival Luminosa’s first Australian sailing on 6 November, the cruise line has revealed some of the ship’s unique features, including a multi-million-dollar bronze sculpture by Colombian artist Fernando Botero in the atrium, a two-deck-high sliding sky dome and a sunset deck bar.
Find out more at carnival.com.au
PONANT unveils 2024 Kimberley sailing expedition season and new ship for Australia
PONANT has shared its highly anticipated 2024 Kimberley sailing expedition season with 22 departures between Broome and Darwin. Small luxury expedition ship Le Jacques-Cartier is set to make her Australian debut, joining Le Lapérouse for the very first time in the country.
Find out more at au.ponant.com
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