With
Reuben Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel
Journalist / Cruise Reviewer
&
Maritime Historian
Special
Feature
Ships that Call Australia
Home in 2013 & 2014
Including those who spend the Summer Months Here
Including departures
from Auckland New
Zealand
The
P&O Cruises Australia MV Pacific Pearl is seen here at anchor off Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Australian’s have certainly taken to the
idea of going on a ocean cruise and passengers numbers have proved that
bookings are ever increasing, and it is for this reason major cruise companies
are sending their finest and largest ships to our shores! Australia
is fortunate as we have ships based in Australia
during the summer and autumn that is just perfect for all tastes and of various
sizes. There are ships stationed here from the delightful Holland America Line
61,000-ton ms Volendam accommodating just 1,400
guests, when you compare that to other ships of her size, they will accommodate
at least 2,000. Thus personally, I prefer what is called these days, the mid
sized ships, but it is all a matter of taste and in the seasons ahead there is
much choice!
Below there is a list of the many ships that
are either based in our waters for the summer season, or based in Australia year
round. I will commence with the cruise company that is considered as being as
one of the very best in the world and has won more awards so many years in a
row than any other cruise line! Whenever I sail with them I leave the ship
totally satisfied for the service, food and entertainment simply cannot be
improved upon! But it is that something special about Holland
America Line ships, especially my favourite
ships being the midsized ships such as the S-Class (ms
Statendam, Maasdam & Ryndam) and the R-Class (ms Rotterdam, Volendam,
Zaandam & Amsterdam) as they like all HAL ships have a superb ambiance that is simply
is simply sublime. Each ship features their Signature feature venues. And all
public spaces are always filled with fresh flowers something that is seldom
seen on other companies in such quantities and quality! Even the way the staff is dressed is traditional, taking you back in time
that has been long forgotten by most, but not by Holland
America.
All I can say is, that there is nothing like a HAL cruise available out of
Australia, it makes every other cruise company look second class, and remember,
whenever I sail pay my fare, thus this is not a paid advertisement or
favouritism, simple fact is, everything you find on this site and associate
sites are 100% non-commercial and I receive no donations or ask for favours,
etc!
For good value cruising from the east coast
P&O Cruises have proven them selves for a good 70 years, and today they
operate three fine ships. First there is my favourite of the three the
delightful MV Pacific Pearl,
as she has some of the best facilities and lounges of the three P&O Cruises
ships, but best still, she has the most deck space per passenger! Then comes
the beautiful Pacific Dawn
based in Brisbane,
she thankfully features the magnificent “Dome” Lounge atop of the
ship far forward. This is a huge lounge and bar, and one of the finest venues
afloat, that was tragically removed from her sister the Pacific
Jewel that is based in Sydney, making this ship my least favourite of the
three, although still a fine ship. Pacific Jewel has the least public lounge
space, in addition, during the days she was in German hands when they removed
not just the Dome and turned into the Spa, they also added cabins in public
spaces, on the sides of the middle level of the Atrium on Deck 6, thus losing
what used to be seating area a shopping gallery that had to be relocated
elsewhere, once again taking away further passenger space! However, service on
all three ships is excellent as is the food and entertainment. As I said
P&O does offer good value for money, but, remember it is far from being 4
Star, thus know what you are paying for a good value holiday, but do not expect
a 5 star luxury vacation for you will not get that, but the smiles from the
staff are real, the food is excellent, the entertainment is great, and the
ports are superb, what more do you want?
I will now commence with my favourite cruise company,
which commencedHolland America Line!
Reuben
Goossens.
1 - Holland
America
Line: 5 Star
- Luxury Ships!
In Australia & New Zealand during the
Summer Months is the time that one of the ultimate
luxury cruise lines, yet one that I have found to be one that remains most
affordable, will sail from our shores. This company is one of the oldest and
grand shipping companies in the world and it is known as having the
“Spotless Fleet.” - Holland America Lines (HAL) that is a company
with some 140 years of passenger shipping experience.
In addition I would like to point out that
Holland America Line has won more “Best Cruise Line” and “Best
Cruise Value” from Conde
Nast some 17 years in a row and this is the only cruise
company ever to do so! In addition Holland America Line has also received the “Best
Cruise Operator” Award, from the “AFTA National
Travel Industry Awards” in 2010. AFTA is the “Australian
Federation of Travel Agents.” In addition, Holland
America
has long been known, and I mean going back to the early 1900s, as having the
“Spotless Fleet” as everything works to perfection and
hygiene is encouraged to the utmost and certainly far more than I have ever
witnessed on any other cruise company!
ms Oosterdam:
For the 2013 & 14 summer season the much
larger and glamorous ms Oosterdam will operate the Australian cruise series. These will include both
relocation voyages to and from Australia,
as well as cruising the Pacific, as well as the ever
popular New Zealand
voyages! Thus, cruising with Holland America Line has never has been so good,
for you will have one of the most spectacular and larger more spacious ship,
for the 82,305-ton ms
Oosterdam’s passenger capacity is just 1,916 passengers. WE need to understand
that there are other ships based year round in Australasian waters at the
present time, and she is just 47,000-tons, yet she accommodates an incredible
1,960 passengers. Thus the ms
Oosterdam being almost twice her size and yet has fewer
passengers than this small ship. and However even
ships of a similar size sailing from our shores operate with well over 2,000
passengers. What does this mean for the passenger on board a Holland America
Line ship? There is much more space per passenger as well as a far superior
crew to passenger ratio.
In addition you will sail on a much newer ship
by years and the magnificent Oosterdam has vast open and shaded deck space
compared to the old ships operated locally of which many are very short on deck
space, especially considering the number of passengers these ships tend carry!
Also, HAL ships have a huge sliding glass dome (located up on Observation Deck)
that open and closes pending the weather over the forward swimming pool on Lido
Deck, thus providing perfect swimming no matter the weather, and believe that
is important when cruising around New Zealand where it can be rather cool even
when it is supposed to be summer!
Please Note:
All the aforementioned issues are very important when one considers a cruise
and thus it is important that you consult a Cruise Specialist who is not on the
“incentives” list by various cruise lines, for those who are will
talk you into the cruise product that will make the agency the most profit!
I recommend that you could contact me, as I am
not commercially based and receive nothing from anyone as I stand on ethics! I
do however have several agents that I know to be the best Cruise Specialists,
who will look after you, and I will happy to recommend them, for then I will
know that you are being well looked after. But, you need not tell then that you
even looked at my site, etc!
More about Oosterdam’s facilities:
The
super luxury 82,000-ton ms Oosterdam
is just is just one of the 15
superb ships from one of the most awarded cruise companies in the world!
She
will join the ms Volendam
for the 2013/14 Summer cruise season!
Photograph provided by Holland
America
Line
The 290m (950ft) long ms Oosterdam embodies Holland
America Line’s focus on the upmarket cruise vacations, for the minute you
step on board this amazing ship you will discover such touches as a huge
Waterford crystal globe displayed in the three story Atrium, and you will find
an extensive use of crystal, marble, inlaid wood and brass throughout the ship.
Then as you go out on deck you will discover that much loved full wrap-around
teak promenade deck, something that is missing on most modern ships these days!
In addition, you will discover the famed HAL’s long standing tradition of
the ship’s extensive fine art works that is scattered through out the
ship, even in the hallway to your stateroom, and that something that most
people always tend to talk about long after their cruise is the company’s
signature statement on their ships, which is the constant use of fresh flowers
that is found in every public venue (except in the Showroom) and it is simply
beautiful!
The ship has some fifteen lounges and bars
including the spectacular three level Vista
Lounge/Showroom/Theatre. Atop forward of the ship is one of HAL
favourite’s the huge “Crows Nest” that offers a superb ocean
views over the bow and both sides of the ship, this venue is one of the most
popular on board, and on the starboard side aft section it also contains the
ever popular “Explorations Café” for that perfect barista coffee
and that little sweet bite! There are a host of superb dinning options, the two
level Vista Dinning Room for your three meals per day,
or you can go to the massive Lido Restaurant Buffet for the same three meals,
and coffee is also available there all day. Other free options are the Terrace
Grill, ice creams, and the Italian Canaletto Restaurant. However, should you
want to do some really very special, then you MUST try the Pinnacle Grill, I
have and it is out of this world and worth the small additional charge! This
meal is not only beyond perfection, but it is more of an event!
The Oosterdam even has a “Culinary Arts Centre” complete with a
demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons. Also
available is a “Digital Workshop” to learn new computer skills from
a Microsoft “Techsperts.” And not to
forget the younger generation, the Children’s and youth clubs are simply
rated as the best at sea and are separated into separate zones depending on
ages!
Enter my feature on her and discover the ships superb
modern semi art deco interiors and staterooms:
ms Oosterdam
Page One: Holland America Line – Introduction Page
ms Oosterdam - ms Volendam
ms Nieuw Amsterdam - ms Rotterdam - ms Prinsendam
- ms Zaandam
The author’s 2010 - ms Volendam Cruise Review
And the ms Amsterdam Ship Review
The author
visited ms Amsterdam in Brisbane
on November 11, 2010
Also
read our Holland America Line - Cruise News Updates - Page
Celebrity Cruises: 5 Star Ships:
In Australia
& New
Zealand
during the Summer Months, this is another of my
favourite companies. Originally, I was directly associated with operating the
original “Celebrity Club Cruises,” “Celebrity
Cruises” was founded in 1988 and owned and operated by my good friend Mr.
Dimitri Chandris of the great Chandris family famed for Chandris Line that his
brother Anthony had been in charge of, but he had been operating Chandris
Cruises, but had now commenced this new luxury cruise company. Thus Chandris
were the original owners of the new luxury cruise company, however, in 1997
they sold the company to Royal Caribbean Cruises, who now own Celebrity, but it
is independently operated!
Desire
the very best in everything, then the MV Celebrity Millennium is for you as she
offers ultra luxury cruising in 2013!
Celebrity Cruises operated two of their
superior luxury ships during past summers such as the delightful and elegant
71,545-ton MV Celebrity Century that and the massive 122,000-ton 2,850
passenger MV
Celebrity Solstice, which is the largest cruise
ship to be ever based in Australian waters! The facilities on board Celebrity
ships are simply beyond sublime and in a more stylised modern form very much
like Holland America Line, I highly recommend both of these companies, but
Celebrity does not have the history and grand class of Holland America Line
that is something that just cannot be found on any modern cruise line! But, for
those who love the glitz and the glamour, vivid colour and somewhat over the
top American style décor, you will find it on these two luxurious ships!
However, the MV Celebrity Century will not be
returning as Celebrity will be sending another of their super ships Down Under!
The new arrival will be the magnificent 90,238-ton, 1,950 passenger GTS
Celebrity Millennium and she will be cruising out
of Australian waters and join her larger fleet mate MV Celebrity Solstice. These two
ships will bring a whole new style of cruising to our shores and these will set
the standard to follow in modern luxury cruising!
The
MV Celebrity Solstice is the largest ship based in
Australian waters during the summer months, although the MV Queen Mary 2 will
be the largest when she visits
This
huge ship has just 2,850 passengers. Compare that
to the 88-500-ton Radiance of the Seas, which has just 170 less passengers, yet
she is a massive 33,500-ton smaller
For interest, the superb GTS
Celebrity Millennium is the flagship of the
Millennium Class of cruise ships, and her sister ships are the Constellation,
Infinity and Summit.
She was built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St.
Nazaire,
France.
When she was launched in 2000, the Millennium was the world's first ship
to use a “turbo-electric COGES” power plant.
Amazingly the Millennium has a restaurant that
contains original wooden panels that were used in the RMS Olympic, being sister ship to
the ill-fated RMS
Titanic and HMHS Britannic. These wooden panels were removed and preserved when the Olympic was sold to the breakers
back in 1936.
The ship offers a magnificent two level main
dining room, named the “Metropolitan” and a buffet serves
breakfast, lunch, and dinner up on deck 10. Entertainment includes the Grand
Celebrity Theatre in which excellent musical shows, comedians, or big-screen
movies can be seen. The theatre is also used for gathering people who go on
excursions, as well as informative lectures, etc. Another place is the cinema,
located on the third deck. This is also used for small gathering and
informative talks as well as daily movies.
Enter MV
Celebrity Solstice page with
further links!
2 - Royal Caribbean
International Cruises: 4 Star - Superior Ships:
In
Australia & New Zealand during the Summer Months: However, there are other excellent options including the more
relaxed family minded Royal Caribbean International Cruises and their already
popular 78,491-ton 1,998 passenger MV Rhapsody
of the Seas, which will be joined by the larger
90,090-ton 2,500 passenger MV Radiance of the Seas for the 2013/14 summer season. These ships are to say the least ALL
and VERY AMERICAN, having all those typical new things once not found on a
ship, but now becoming more popular for a family style ship, such as rock
climbing walls, skating rings, huge over the top and glitzy atriums, but for
those who do not mind the Americanisms and the abundance of children on board,
they are great value for money and the service, food and entertainment is very
good and I have receive good reports! Although they are certainly not my cup
of tea!
The
superb 90,090-ton MV Radiance of the Seas is seen in Hobart
Tasmania
on November 9, 2011.
Photograph by & © Walter Pless
The
MV Rhapsody of the Seas a great ship for the young and the young
at heart! Her interiors are spectacular!
The
MV Rhapsody of the Seas is seen here departing Newcastle
having made her maiden call to the port on October 17,
2010
Photograph
by & © 2010 - Stan
Evans – Newcastle
Enter - MV
Rhapsody of the Seas feature
Princess Cruises
Australia: 4 Star:
a
Carnival Australia Company.
In Australia
Year round: The MV Sun Princess is based part of
the year in Brisbane, as well as Sydney and Fremantle. The Sea Princess is
based full time in Sydney.
The Dawn
Princess will be cruising out of Sydney, Melbourne
and from Fremantle. Although Carnival is rather changeable, and ships can be
changed at any time!
The
intimate explorer MV Ocean Princess
There are additional sailings on the
116-000-ton, 2,670 passenger MV Diamond Princess, and
the only ship I really like, the delightful intimate 30,200-ton, 670 passengers
MV Ocean Princess that will soon
disappear and head for another company! Thus there is a remarkable variety of
cruise s available, from Around the World and grand Pacific voyages, and the ever
popular Pacific and New Zealand
cruises. If that is not enough there are also voyages to Asia,
thus there is a scope of exploration with Princess in 2013/14!
Being platinum Captain Club Card holder, but Princess has lost me forever as
a passenger after a terrible around the world cruise in 2009, and never one
single apology from anyone!
3 - P&O
Cruises Australia: 3.5
Star – Good to Superior Ships: - Good value for money Ships, but ships are rather crowded:
In
Australia & New Zealand Year round: OK, we have
looked at upmarket ships (well Princess is debatable), as well as the family
market with Royal Caribbean, but now we are heading for an old favourite
P&O Cruises Australia. Although P&O is not exactly top end of cruising,
however, having said that, I have cruised with P&O many times and
have found it great value for money and have had a most enjoyable time. The
problem with some people is that they judge companies according other ships,
but sadly they also tend to forget that they may well have paid a whole lot
more than on a P&O cruise! I believe that in general P&O offers good
value for money, for I have always found that the food has been very good, the
service is extremely friendly and the entertainment is great, OK, it is a cheap
Las
Vegas
style, but it is does cater to a different market, thus suitable! Overall, I
enjoyed my cruises with them!
P&O
operates three much loved regulars, such as the well known and ever popular MV Pacific Dawn based in Brisbane, MV Pacific Jewel and the MV Pacific Pearl based in Sydney.
The Pacific Pearl will also operate from Fremantle and Auckland New Zealand.
Out of the three ships, the Pacific Pearl has by far superior deck space and is
generally hailed by passengers as being the best of the three, cabins are more
spacious and the lounges are colourful and friendly.
Pacific
Pearl evening departure from Sydney
As I said
previously, P&O continues to offer good value for money, good service,
food, and entertainment and my cruises with P&O Australia have always
proven to be excellent. P&O’s cruise ships range from 63,500-ton
(Pacific Pearl) to 70,310-ton (Pacific Dawn & Jewel). Each
ship has their special individuality and features and yet no matter which ship
you sail on, P&O Cruises Australia does have some of the best
children’s and youth facilities available. Over time I have received a
good number of reviews from families who sailed on the MV Pacific Dawn from
Brisbane, and their children simply loved the facilities and the parents were
overjoyed that they were able to totally trust the staff and facilities and
have time to themselves and they felt that the ship was never over run by kids!
I always recommend P&O Australia as it is a well run Cruise Company being
one of Australia’s longest running cruise lines!
As I have already
indicated, the only problem I find is that both the Pacific Dawn and Pacific
Jewel are ships that have insufficient deck space compared to the passenger
numbers they carry! Then on one of the open aft decks, is closed to the general
passengers, as it is an optional (Pay for) “Oasis” style garden,
where adults can get away from every one. Thus, getting away from every one can
be an expensive hobby on P&O Cruises Australia, or you will have to fight
for a spot at 4.30 am for a deck chair in the shade – but they won’t
be set out yet!
Brisbane
based MV Pacific Dawn with her rounded dome atop the ship that is called
“The Dome”
“The
Dome” on board the MV Pacific Dawn, an excellent ship
– A ship with delightful lounges and bars and a great pool & Lido
deck!
Here
are the two pools and Lido
deck on the Pacific Jewel
Visit our Pacific Dawn
/ Pacific Jewel / Pacific Pearl
pages
Carnival Cruises Australia: 3.5 Stars – Great for the
family, kids and young at heart!
In Australia & New Zealand Year round: We have now come to the family medium class “younger
set” and “family & kiddie” cruise market, with Carnival
Cruises (USA) ship to be sent Down Under.
The 88,500-ton MV Carnival
Spirit will arrive in Australia later this year and she will offer facilities
just right for her special type of clientele, and I mean that it will cater to
the entire family as well the Aussie day long drinkers and I am sure it will do
its job well, even though it may not sound like the best mix. But the truth is
that is the clientele they will be aiming for, the bottom of the market!
In other words, this cruise reviewer will not be seen dead on her!
Spirit Class Ships
Although
a large ship, but the Carnival Sprit with her passenger capacity
is somewhat high I feel for her size
In
addition her décor is rather American in style regardless her being
“Australianised”, therefore she may be a little over the top in
some of her venues
However,
she does have a very attractive library and one other lounge in particular, but
most are very typical Carnival in style - very American!
The
Carnival Sprit was the second Spirit Class ship built in 2001.
Carnival Cruises Australia will be permanently
based in Sydney,
although the name is certainly not new, for this company has total control over
most of the cruise companies around the world as well as P&O Cruises
Australia and Princess Cruises Australia, both are wholly owned by the American
Carnival Group Plc. This also the case for Cunard Line, yes that good old
“pretend” British company, which is wholly American operated and
run, with the 100% American designed Queen Mary 2, as well as the Queen
Victoria, and Queen
Elizabeth,
which are typical hideous Carnival “Vista Class” ships, the same
type of ships as operated by many of the Carnival companies, such as Costa and
others I have not even mentioned!
But considering there has been a massive slump
in the American market for a number of years, Carnival knew that the Australian
market is simply booming and thus they saw an opening in our lucrative and
growing cruise market and decided to send one of their older ships from 2001
(what’s new) MV Carnival Spirit and she was the
second ship built of eight Spirit Class ships, four for Costa Cruises and four
for Carnival, although she was Carnival’s first Spirit Class ship, thus
her name. However, for her size she does have a rather large guest capacity
operating with up to 2,680 passengers. Remember that the
Holland America Line ms Oosterdam being much the same size only accommodates
1,960 passengers that is 720 less!
Carnival has advised me that prior to the
ships arrival in Australia she will be fully refitted and I was told that she
would be completely “Australianised” and fitted with a brand new
“Water Park” that will be installed that will incorporate a huge
thrill slide and splash park that will be known as “WaterWorks.”
It is said to have a massive vertical drop and this will be not just be brand
new to carnival but a first for any cruise ship in the world. Thus she should
prove to be an extremely popular ship for the younger set and families,
although I am not as yet too sure if she is the most suitable ship for the
older generation and those who like things with a touch of class, for that is
something that Carnival knows nothing about for her décor and style is hideous,
except for the odd room. But if you are young at heart and enjoy fun, Why
Not?
Enter the author’s NEW Carnival Spirit feature
Fine Cruise Ships visiting Australia Annualy:
The
following ships, either call in once, twice, sometimes three times a year:
Of course, I have not even started to mention
the many ships that will visit our ports on various occasions, for there are
many, including the ultra luxury ships of Silversea (5+++ Star)
that has an extensive fleet of super luxury boutique ships. Seabourn (6
Star) this company also has a fine fleet of superb boutique ships. Then
there is Orion Expedition Cruises (5.5 Star) who operate two
smaller but luxurious MV Orion and MV Orion II for the ultimate of expedition
voyages, Then there is Cunard’s MV Queen Mary 2 and MV Queen Elizabeth (Cunard
= from 3.5 to 5 Star, pending on grade and dinning facility) what I do not
like is the class system. Next comes my beloved P&O MV Oriana & MV
Aurora (P&O UK = 4 - 4.5 Star) and the much newer and larger
(yuk) MV Arcadia, as well as my ultimate favourite cruise line Holland America
lines (HAL = 5 Star) with their fabulous world explorer ship the
elegantly appointed ms Amsterdam. In addition there will be visits of ships visiting our region such
as the Italian MV Costa Delizosa (Costa Cruises =
3.5 Star), the senior cruise ship MV Saga Ruby, the apartment block
at sea the MV The World, as well as the ship known as the most luxurious
afloat the MV Europa (5+++ Star). Then there is Australia’s
more intimate vessel the MV Oceanic Discoverer (5 Star) expedition
vessel. These ate just to name just a few of the amazing ships that will
call to our shores.
Silversea’s superb ultra luxurious MV Silver
Spirit
These are all inclusive ships of all dinning options
as well as drinks, butler service and a number of special land-based tours
Simply nothing compares if you are after a special
voyage of discovery designed the connoisseur of cruising and life!
This
is one of the famed Yachts of Seabourn the MV Seabourn Odyssey
seen at anchor
Seabourn
and Silversea have much in common as they serve the very top end of the cruise
market with super luxury ships
And
have suite only accommodations and an all inclusive operation. All ships have a
stern door that will open up and create not only a pool,
but a diving platform and
boating activities that are carried on board the ships.
Enter my Seabourn
Yachts feature
Seen
above is the Expedition ship the MV Orion that sails to the most amazing places
on earth, from the Antarctic to the inland Rivers of Papua New Guiney,
and other remote and exciting
areas! Their new arrival is the Orion II, and both ships offer the ultimate of
luxurious standards for smaller vessels!
Enter my MV
Orion feature
The
horrid Carnival Vista Class ship - MV
Queen Elizabeth
is seen here in Auckland New Zealand,
but she does have superb interiors!
Visit
the MV
Queen Mary 2 / MV
Queen Victoria / MV
Queen Elizabeth features
P&O
Cruises England MV Oriana is simply superb as she is the last ship of the fleet
that seem to retain some real P&O Heritage
Her
somewhat newer sister MV
Aurora is a modern version of her, but very different indeed.
The author has sailed on both ships a good number of times and much prefers
the Oriana. But it has been
said that Carnival may get rid of the best ship in their P&O fleet due to
“modernization” That would be tragic! So sail on Oriana while you
can!
For
be assured they will replace her with yet another huge
square box, like P&O’s hideous new fleet!
Visit P&O Cruises UK: Oriana / Aurora Pages
ms Amsterdam one of two of
HAL luxury world explorer ships, the other being the ms
Prinsendam
View
the author’s ms Amsterdam ship review just down
the page
In
Conclusion:
With any of the Carnival cruise companies as
well as many of the other lines on the East Coast, I have noticed that there
are many special fares on offer and that on so many advertisements they tend to
have that annoying little *asterisk and when you read that super fine print at
the bottom, you will note that the fare mentioned only applies to cruises
numbers x, y, z, which are frequently cruises departing within a few weeks, or
a year or so away, thus bookings have been so heavy that most cruises are
already fully booked and there has been a few cancelations on a cruise due to
depart in several weeks and there are low booking on a certain cruise twelve
months on! Don’t be fooled by this idea of getting a better deal of last
minute bookings for you have to be lucky to get one when you actually need it!
Once that is how it used to be, but these days there is usually a big waitinglist and on many cruises they actually close the
waitlist. So, be wise and book as soon as you know when you have your holidays
and book the cruise of your choice NOW!
Many have asked me, “What are your
recommendations?” To be honest the answer it is not that simple, for
it depends on your circumstances, and I suggest that you write me with your
details, are you a couple, your age, are you a family and send me your
children’s ages and how many, etc. Also, a few of your likes and
dislikes, port priorities, do you like luxury, or an more informal atmosphere,
as well as your preferred port of embarkation, being Sydney, Brisbane,
Melbourne or Adelaide and Fremantle, although latter two obviously have limited
choices of destinations, being either Asia, and coastal voyages. The majority
of ships depart from Sydney,
whilst there are ships based in Brisbane and Melbourne. Just provide whatever
you feel that is necessary and I will be happy to make some recommendations and
all this comes as a service from me, as I desire you to have the best cruise
vacation possible!
Bon Voyage in 2013 and 2014!
Reuben
Goossens.
--Cruise & Ship
Reviews--
ms
Amsterdam
A Special Ship Review by the author
- November 2010
ms Amsterdam seen in Sydney International Passenger
Terminal in November 2010
Photograph provided by & © 2010 Holland America
Line
Having sailed a superb cruise on Holland
America Lines (HAL) ms Volendam,
several weeks later I was invited to visit her sister the ms Amsterdam when she
visited Brisbane
whilst she was on one of her world voyages, and I found her to be just as
delightful as her sister. Although identical in layout, she proved very
different in décor and she certainly revealed her own identity, yet like as on
all HAL ships there were fresh flowers and superb art works simply every where!
The
ms Amsterdam Atrium features the three decks high “Planeto
Astrolabium” being multiple
clock and Carillion built and designed for the ship
Photo by the author © 2010
I was also blessed to enjoy some lunch in the
restaurant, which proved to be typical HAL, thus simply superb and sheer
perfection just as experienced on my previous cruises with them. I had to tear
myself off this ship and hope to sail on her in the future for she does have an
ambience that is very special, and she does operate some unique world voyages,
ideal for those who love to explore the world!
ms Rotterdam, Amsterdam,
Volendam and Zaandam
are part of four almost identical ships built that are known as the HAL
“R-Class” of ships. The only distinguishing feature between these
four ships is that ms Rotterdam and Amsterdam
have twin exhaust stacks aft (funnels), whilst the Volendam and Zaandam
both have a single traditional funnel. In addition, the Volendam has a forward
extension to the superstructure just above the bridge, giving some added floor
space to her gym area.
Please Note: ms Amsterdam will again operate several great world explorer
voyages and visit Australia
in 2013. Contact you cruise specialists for information on these superb
itineraries, for they are indeed voyages of a lifetime!
Enjoy the ms Amsterdam
Ship Review.
Reuben
Goossens.
Enter my - ms Amsterdam Ship Review
For the latest HAL news updates – ENTER … Holland
America Line - NEWS
Enter The Holland
America
Line features & discover their beautiful ships with
their modern and delightful interiors, filled with art and
fresh flowers!
Page One … “The History of Holland America Line and Today’s Modern
Fleet”
1872
to 2000
Page Two … “The History of Holland
America
Line and Today’s Modern Fleet”
1993
to 2015
ms Rotterdam - ms Prinsendam
- ms Volendam - ms
Zaandam - ms Oosterdam
& ms Nieuw Amsterdam
ms Oosterdam 2013 Cruise’n’Ship Review
ms Volendam Cruise Review - ms Amsterdam Ship Review
--------------------------------------------------------
Enter the MV
Celebrity Solstice page
--------------------------------------------------------
Enter
the MV
Orion feature
--------------------------------------------------------
Enter
the MV
Rhapsody of the Seas feature
--------------------------------------------------------
Visit
our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies
These
include Cruise reviews and photo pages
P&O
Cruises Australia:
Pacific
Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Pearl
P&O
Cruises UK:
Aurora
/ Oriana /
Artemis
Carnival
Cruises: Carnival Spirit
Princess
Cruises: Sun
Princess / Dawn Princess
Cunard:
Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth
Seabourn:
Seabourn Yachts
Return to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX
Who
is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?
Commenced in the
Passenger Shipping Industry in 1960
Contact the Author …
When
sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or wish
information about – but NOT for reservations,
THAT MUST done through a cruise agent!
Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a
non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and is not connected with any
cruise company or agency. The author has been in the passenger shipping
industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write
cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and
ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the
future.
Cruise-Australia.com
& Cruise-Australia.net
Classic Liner enthusiasts visit
ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
Where the ships of the past make history the
1914 built MV Doulos Story
Photographs on cruise-australia are: 1. By the author. 2. From the
author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and
private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However,
there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the
photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so
kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what
it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet
they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse
to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes
to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at
all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who
send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless
the image is part of their private collection.
This notice covers all pages,
although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited
and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!
Cruise-Australia
is owned / operated and © Copyright by Reuben
Goossens - All Rights Reserved