Registration opens and speakers announced for Australian Cruise Association 20th anniversary conference

Registration has opened and an exciting line-up of initial speakers has been announced for the 20th Australian Cruise Association conference to be held in Sydney from September 7-9, 2016.

Themed “20 years – Our People, Our Passion, Our Success”, the Conference will celebrate the role of the Association’s members in the successful growth of the cruise industry in this region and will explore the exciting opportunities for growth over the next 20 years.

The keynote address will be given by Edie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Crystal Cruises. Ms Rodriguez is the first CEO of an international cruise line to speak at an ACA conference. She will speak on the luxury cruising segment, a topic she is well qualified to discuss having worked previously with Azamara Club Cruises, the upmarket division of RCL and for the Cunard and Seabourn brands while at Carnival.

Other speakers include Bruce Anderson, founding Principal of Starcrest Consulting Group in Seattle and Sally McMillan, author of the “Cruise Director” section for Fairfax.

Earlybird registrations are now open. For further information please go to http://www.australiancruiseassociation.com/conferences

Edie Black White

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES OFFERS THE BEST OF BOTH CRUISING WORLDS – OCEAN AND RIVER

Azamara Club Cruises are now offering a hybrid ocean and river cruise itinerary on their 686-passenger ships.

Both Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey recently emerged from multimillion dollar makeovers that overhauled the jewel-box ships from bow to stern. They now offer a range of unique itineraries with longer stays, more overnights and night touring so guests can experience the authentic culture of the destinations they visit, including those on the banks of some of the world’s most famed rivers.

To make a booking or for further information visit www.azamaraclubcruises.com, phone 1800 754 500 or contact your local travel agent. Travel professionals can call 1300 754 500 or visit cruisingpower.com.

Amazing Onboard Enrichment Highlights on Dream Cruises

Over the next few months, Dream cruises are hosting some exiting guests onboard the Genting Dream.

The guests include Michael Yamashita, National Geographic photographer, Juergen Freund, Marine and Wildlife Photographer and Noni Ware, Fashion Stylist formerly from British Vogue.

THE PLAN TO MAKE MALAYSIA THE PREFERRED PORT OF CALL FOR CRUISE SHIPS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

The Malaysian Government has recently identified three ports as tourism gateways to attract more cruise ships to the country and to help develop it as one of South East Asia’s major cruise hubs.

According to Malaysia’s transport ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim, the cruise industry has been identified as a key driver of future economic growth, and the three ports – Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), Kuching (Sarawak) and Labuan on the Malaya Peninsula, all have significant potential to attract more visitors to the country.

Currently Port Klang in Selangor and Penang are Malaysia’s major tourism centres for cruise ships. Malacca is also currently being developed, with the Malacca Gateway project slated for completion in 2025, supported by a US$10 billion investment from China announced last November.

Says Saripuddin, “Tourists prefer terminals which are closer to local attractions, so the development of the Malacca Gateway certainly fits this purpose”, adding that Malacca had the potential to be the next tourism centre after Penang and Kuala Lumpur, given its strategic and cultural significance in Malaysia’s maritime history.

Explore the Galapagos Islands Like Never Before with Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has revealed its exciting new cruises experiences onboard its newest ships, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience, in one of the most dynamic corners of the world – the Galapagos Islands.

The new ships will begin sailing in March 2017, following a refresh for signature modern luxury enhancements. Both ships offer a wide all-inclusive range of indulgences and land excursions while sailing new itineraries.

Guests can continue to sail onboard Celebrity’s state-of-the-art 100-passenger Celebrity Xpedition. Together, the three stunning ships will offer six unique itineraries, 15 islands, more than 30 ports of call, and multiple packages to choose from.

“With more than 12 years in the Galapagos Islands, guests have told us that we are best-in-class at providing award-winning holidays in this unique corner of the world,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.

“Now we are offering the trip-of-a-lifetime onboard our newest ships with itineraries featuring ports of call we’ve never visited before and experiences that are exclusive to Celebrity. If a modern luxury holiday in the Galapagos Islands wasn’t on your bucket list before, it definitely should be on it now!”

P&O Back the Bunnies in Cairns Home Game

A group of P&O Cruises sales staff and travel agents enjoyed some rugby league action in Cairns on the weekend as part of the cruise line’s first NRL game day sponsorship.

There was a strong P&O presence during the sold out round 17 fixture between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys with one lucky league fan winning a cruise as part of a giveaway during the half-time show.

P&O’s support for the Bunnies – Cairns’ honorary rugby league team – during their annual home game in the Far North comes just months before the cruise line will base its first ship in the regional port.

The 1500-guest Pacific Eden will offer nine cruises from Cairns between September and November to destinations including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Pacific Islands and the Whitsundays.