WHAT'S COMING FOR 2012 AND WHAT SUITS THE AUSSIE CRUISER BEST?
Well, you heard it at Cruisescene - up to 15 ships to be based here in Australia over our summer months of 2011 and 2012.
| Ship/Liner |
Number of ships |
| P&O Australia |
4+ |
| Princess Cruises |
3 |
| Cunard |
1 |
| Royal Caribbean Cruises |
2 |
| MSC |
1 |
| Silver Sea |
1 |
| Holland America Cruiselines |
2 |
| Celebrity Cruises |
1 |
| Other |
2 |
| Liner |
P&O |
Ship |
18-35's |
35-55's |
o'55's |
Kids |
Description |
| |
|
Pacific Sun |
* |
* |
|
* |
Party - good all-rounder |
| |
|
Pacific Jewel |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Lively atmosphere |
| |
|
Pacific Pearl |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Lively atmosphere |
| |
|
Pacific Dawn |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Great destinations/lively |
| |
|
Unnamed |
|
|
|
|
Unknown - to be deployed |
| |
Princess |
Sun Princess |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Best for 35-55's |
| |
|
Dawn Princess |
|
* |
* |
* |
These ships have some great |
| |
|
Sea Princess |
|
* |
* |
* |
NZ & Asia itineraries |
| |
Cunard |
Queen Mary 2 |
|
* |
* |
|
Long itinerary, around Aust |
| |
RCI |
Rhapsody |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Nice cruising, good all-rounder |
| |
|
Radiance |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Larger, more modern ship |
| |
MSC |
Lyrica Class |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Expect to be a good all-rounder |
| |
Silver Sea |
Silver Shadow |
* |
* |
* |
|
Luxury. Exclusive all inclusive |
| |
Holland America |
Zaandam |
* |
* |
* |
* |
New to OZ. Expect all-round |
| |
|
Volendam |
|
* |
* |
* |
Intimate, older ship |
| |
Celebrity |
Century |
|
* |
* |
* |
Probably 25up. Great cruising |
| |
Classic INTL |
Athena |
|
* |
* |
|
Classical type cruising. Small |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here's our spiel and opinions on which ship suits whom. Remember though, this information is highly dependant upon the itinerary, the time of the year (eg. school holidays etc) and origin/destination of the cruise.
By clicking the ship name, you'll be directed to our 'ship facts' pages on the Cruiseco website!
Pacific Sun:
Sailed by many, and often a favourite for reunions aboard her. Sails South Pacific and caters best for the young set (or young at heart) Great for the first-timer but probably not the best example for understanding what cruising is all about.
Pacific Jewel:
More modern than Sun, and could probably be described as more refined. Jewel caters for most age groups and a ship that should be experience at least once. She sails South Pacific & New Zealand. Great for first timers.
Pacific Pearl: (page currently being updated)
Similarly to Jewel, she attracts all ages in a more modern atmosphere. I believe she'll be most cruised by the 20, 30 & 40 year olds but naturally this sets the scene for the mature who enjoy to company of these.
Pacific Dawn:
She was the first of our P&O megas paving the way for a new type of cruise product here in Australia. She's had some very exciting itineraries and through that, has attracted all age groups from all walks of life. A favourite.
Sun Princess:
Fewer teens and fewer 18-21's though the younger one's who do sail her have plenty of excitement to choose from onboard. She's great to cruise and perfect for the first timer. She'll sail EX Brisbane for summer... certainly worth the look!
Dawn Princess:
Like Sun Princess, she's perfect for the first timer but attracts ardent cruisers because of her excellent itineraries. A cut above the average, she's neat and suits all age groups who appear to mix well enjoying her facilities.
Sea Princess:
She'll be new to Australia but we're expecting all the refinements of sister ships Sun & Dawn Princesses. Her cruises will be snapped up by those who haven't sailed her, simply to do so!
Queen Mary 2:
Her lengthy itinerary (circumnavigating Australia) will make it difficult for anyone sailing her who simply don't have the time. That is of course, provided short sector cruises aren't released closer to the sailing. That said, I expect an average cruise passenger age of somewhere between 45 and 55. Her voyage will be outstanding and the itinerary perfect for those who want to sail her, but don't want to leave their own back gardens. She will be amazing and I'm sure will return again after her first successful season here in Oz.
Rhapsody of The Seas:
Perfect for the first timer and perfect for all age groups. Her glass affect gives the feel of openness and room to move. Her design makes it easy getting around her. Great bar atmospheres, good service - great all-round cruise ship.
Radiance of The Seas:
Larger than Rhapsody but she still gives the same great feeling of openness. A cut above many, passengers are already lining up to be sure they don't miss her. This will be an exciting addition to the Australian cruise market. Seeing is believing... sailing her will be an experience!
MSC (Lyrica Class): (ship example)
After some time in negotiations, MSC Cruises Australia has announce the deployment of a Lyrica Class ship. The actual ship hasn't been announced yet but we're expecting possibly a 1,500 passenger vessel and will operate the South Pacific in 2013. This move will shake up the locals as I'm sure too, customers will be delighted to welcome yet another choice in cruising. She'll attract all ages and will possibly get strong support from our Italian cruise communities.
Silver Shadow:
Full service - all inclusive... LUXURY. One of the most raved about ships in the Premium Market, I would expect a lot of more senior passengers considering her OZ-circumnavigation itinerary, but wouldn't let perturb the younger (honeymooners etc) from experiencing her excellent services and divine onboard living.
Zaandam:
Worldly, charming. her deployment has just been announced. We can't wait to get a glimpse, but you can expect all the fine trimmings of the Holland America product. She'll attract all ages but will probably be very popular with HAL past cruisers around the 50 age bracket.
Volendam:
...returning yet again, for another season. Volendam is a good all-rounder but perhaps looking a little tired. Her itineraries will again include the South Pacific and New Zealand, and then Asia. return passengers like her intimacy and charming atmosphere and appearance.
Century:
Fresh off the press, Century is set to appear in Sydney ports for return journeys (probably Pacific & New Zealand) This is an excellent example of fine cruising but I'm guessing it will have a reasonable price tag. Now the smallest in the celebrity fleet, she'll still be large by local standards. She attract most ages, and again past passengers will snap up most cabins as soon as they become available. Or will they... this ship is ideal for the first timer - 30 up I'm expecting.
Athena:
A fine example of Classic International's traditional small ship cruising. Operating the west coast, she's sure to bring past passengers back for 2-3 Star service; but with a delightful traditional twist. Priced extremely well, Athena tend to give a better experience than one expects.
STATISTICS HAVE SHOWN THAT EXPERIENCED CRUISERS CHOOSE A SHIP FOR THESE REASONS (in order): - No. 1 surprised me!
