Sydney Harbour

November 9, 2012 / Celebrity Millenium, Holland America Amsterdam, RMS Olumpic, Sampler cruise, Sydney Harbour, Voyager of the Seas / By

Cruise ships overnighting in Sydney

More cruise ships are staying overnight in Sydney Harbour than in past years. Among the first this season are the Amsterdam, which will overnight from 11 to 12 th November at Barangaroo. Celebrity Millennium will move from the Athol Buoy on 21st November to the Overseas Passenger Terminal on 22nd November and then Voyager of the Seas will overnight at the OPT from 23rd November to 25th November. Obviously this gives passengers much longer to explore Sydney and even time to take a trip to other parts of NSW or further afield.


 When Holland America’s Amsterdam arrives she will be at the beginning of a 27 day cruise which began in Brisbane 2 days before. Passengers will disembark in San Diego California on the 5th December.
Celebrity Millennium was launched in 2000 and one of the remarkable features is the wooden panels which were originally used on the RMS Olympic a sister ship of the Titanic. Olympic was sold for scrap in 1936. Celebrity Millenium also has a large conservatory.  When she departs Sydney she will head to Singapore arriving on December 9.
When the Voyager of the Seas arrives it will be at the end of an 18 night cruise round Australia which began in Fremantle on 5th November and took passengers to Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, New Zealand and back to Sydney. On the 23rd she will head out to sea for a Sampler Cruise for one night – and ideal way to find out if you like cruising – or would like to take further voyages on this ship.

Rhapsody of the Seas

January 13, 2009 / Rhapsody of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, Sydney Harbour / By


The first feature we are shown on Rhapsody of the Seas are the floor to ceiling windows and canopies on the 10th and 11th floors. Branded by the Royal Caribbean International Cruise line as one of their Vision ships – this is why. What better place to take a photo of the Sydney Opera House or The Sydney Harbour Bridge than on a towering ship docked at Sydney’s Circular Quay’s International Terminal.
Today I joined a group of other travel agents on a tour of this ship. These tours give travel agents a first hand look at the cabins and suites and all the facilities.
The day began with grey clouds frowning over the Harbour Bridge but by mid-morning the sky was smiling and the sun was shining. The city looked as if it had been polished for the ship’s visit.
Our tour of the Rhapsody of the Seas, which carries 1998 passengers, is 78,000 tonnes, was built in 1997 and re-furbished in 2007 took us to:

  • a rock climbing wall,
  • one of the biggest dance floors I have seen on a ship in the Shall We Dance ballroom,
  • a theatre that seats 870 and is the focus of evening entertainment by visiting performers and the ship’s own production company,
  • a child focussed centre with a kids room, a video games room and an over-14s ‘night club’
  • a large casino,
  • a large Day Spa with an Eqyptian theme and a hairdressing salon with big windows to the sea,
  • a fitness centre that also looks out to sea
  • four flexible conference rooms.

We were also invited to view all the suites from the luxurious Royal Suite with its white grand piano, marble bar and huge sitting room to the interior staterooms with all the comforts
of an elegant hotel room. In between there are Family Suites, Ocean View Staterooms, Balcony Staterooms – all offering TV, telephone, private bathrooms and room service.
Our visit included lunch on board in the Edelweiss restaurant. Meal options include fine dining, casual dining and buffet-style restaurants, a pizza paarlour and an ice cream bar.
There are 21 ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet – this is just one of them.
Tomorrow the Rhapsody sails for New Zealand. Later this year she will once circumnavigate Australia – one of the most popular cruises.
If you would like to find out more about this ship’s itineraries – or others in the Royal Caribbean’s fleet – please contact me… I’d love to tell you more.
See the Gallery of photos of the Rhapsody of the Seas
martin@travelchoice.com.au

Starting with a special

November 28, 2008 / Aurora, cocktail cruise, cruise Australia, Diamond Princess, Sydney Harbour, True North / By
This is the year for travel specials! We have lots of choices in the run up to Christmas – but they will probably all go within a week so make a quick decision and contact me on 02 9968 1600!
Many international ships come to cruise Australia/New Zealand waters for the southern summer.
Check these rates and then calculate what you are paying per day for full board, resort amenities, and travel. Yes, you pay for optional extras such as bar drinks and shore excursions, but cruising is a most economical way to holiday. And you unpack just once.
Diamond Princess
Sydney to Auckland (and vice versa*) – departing Jan 5, 17*, 29, Feb 10*
12 nights from $995 per person twin-share (ppts) inside cabin; or $1,395 ocean view
Aurora – P&O Worldwide cruise ship
14th Feb 2009 – Singapore to Sydney via Darwin, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays.
16 nights from $1,995.00 interior, $2,560 Ocean View, $4,145 Balcony – all ppts.
True North – luxury Australian expedition ship
10th January – Southern Explorer
8 nights of luxury including award-winning cuisine, and daily shore excursions, while you explore from Adelaide to Ceduna visiting Cape Jervis, the Gambier Islands, Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay, and return by light plane to Adelaide at the end of your cruise.. (it’s now almost booked out) fare is $5748.00 ppts (and that’s half-price!).
And there’s even a Cocktail Cruise on Sydney Harbour, departing nightly at 5:00 pm, returns 7:00 pm and includes a cocktail and canapés – try it as an alternative to the pre-Christmas pub get-together!

Martin

You can email martin@travelchoice.com.au if you would like any more info on these offers!