“Without a doubt, Quantum of the Seas is a game changer with technological innovations never imagined aboard a cruise ship,” said Stewart Chiron.

Quantum will launch in November 2014 and will homeport in Cape Liberty, in Bayonne, N.J., with winter sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean executives said The North Star was inspired by the London Eye. The capsule can hold 14 people and is attached to a crane-like arm.

The skydiving attraction, called RipCord, uses a powerful wind flow to keep participants aloft while floating and spinning over an outdoor deck. “You’re not touching anything but the air,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

An indoor complex called SeaPlex will host basketball, table tennis, trapeze instruction and bumper cars. The space converts to a dance floor for roller-skaters, with a DJ hovering above in a see-through pod. Another space, Two70, has a 270-degree panoramic view and will host aerialists and other performances.

Cabins have modular features like interior doors so that adjacent bedrooms can be connected for large families or multi-generational groups.

Not everything on Quantum is new to the industry. Norwegian’s Epic ship introduced rooms designed for solo travelers, which Quantum will also have. Disney’s Dream and Fantasy ships have “virtual portholes” for windowless staterooms offering live views of the sea, and all of Quantum’s interior cabins will also have “virtual balconies” consisting of LED screens with projected ocean views.

Tickets for Quantum’s first sailing will go on sale to the public June 4, with Royal Caribbean regular cruisers getting an early shot at tickets starting May 27. Prices were not announced but cruise lines typically charge more for new ships than for other cruises. Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., said there would be no extra fees for many of the ship’s attractions, including The North Star and skydiving.

Royal Caribbean also owns the largest cruise ships in the world, the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas, which carry more than 6,000 people apiece. Quantum will carry 4,180 passengers.

For all of the best cruise deals visit www.cruiseoffers.com.au.

Queen Mary 2‘s facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. There are also kennels on board, as well as a nursery.

Visit www.cruiseoffers.com.au for the latest cruise deals and itineraries

Best spots on board

Head for the ship’s Serenity adults-only retreat before everyone else works out where it is. Just before sunset is another ideal time to curl up on a cabana or have a spa at Serenity. Plus, Serenity’s outdoor bar is open later than most (until 3am or 4am, if people are still buying). At breakfast, fresh omelets are also available at La Playa Grille buffet’s back counter – where the queue is shorter. For lunch, be pampered by waiters in the Empire Restaurant (12-1.30pm). At dinner, choose “any time” seating or help yourself at La Playa Grille. The Green Thunder waterslide is busy between 11am-3pm, or try it on port days, when most people are on land.

For all of the latest deals visit cruise offers

The Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Australia in October and there are some wonderful specials including free upgrades and buy one get one 50% off. Visit Cruise Offers for all the latest specials.

SeaDream I and SeaDream II were the next highest scorers, followed by Seabourn. The Queen Mary 2 dominated the large resort style ships followed by joint runners up Celebrity Solstice, which will be based in Australia this summer and Celebrity Equinox.

Please visit Cruise Offers for some great specials.

1 week of fun & relaxation, here I come!

I am counting down the days to my cruise on the Pacific Dawn this weekend!

My tickets are in my travel wallet, my shore excursions are booked and my skin is ready for a tan (spf 30+ will be involved).

Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill is on my list of things to experience, hello juicy steak.  After a night burning up the dance floor in the Dome you will most likely find me chilling out in Oasis.

When back from my wonderful week I will give you an update on the ship and all the great facilities and activities.

Bon Voyage!

Alicia

Cruise Offers
Cruise Specialist

Our 2011 group of travellers were amazed and delighted with our first destination and while we had several activities as a group, many spent hours exploring this city with new friends.  Some took the opportunity to visit the Burj Al Arab for a sumptuous afternoon tea with million dollar views and also Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world.   

On our last night in Dubai we visited a Bedouin camp enjoying a sumptuous feast while relaxing in traditional Bedouin style on cushions and carpets.  The ladies tried henna tattoos and all enjoyed the excellent belly dancer.

Boarding the Dawn Princess for the cruise section of our holiday is always a joy. As always, staff are welcoming, cabins well appointed and cuisine excellent, our home away from home for the next 4 weeks.  Easing into shipboard life with a few sea days before our first port of call encourages people to wind down into holiday mode while familiarising themselves with the ship.

Salalah, Oman is a non tourist type of town yet it appears the Queen of Sheba may have lived nearby.  We toured the ruins of an ancient palace, overlooking a lagoon, watching flamingos feed.  Off out into the rugged rocky desert to view 2000 yr old frankincense trees, along a jagged coastline with blowholes and soaring cliffs.  Returning to town we visited the souk for frankincense and myrrh, oils and perfumes, with many other delights available.

More sea days to enjoy the many activities of the ship and those organised by tour leaders Amanda, Gretha and Leeanne.   

Petra, Jordan is hidden in one of the many folds of the mountains of the Negev desert.  Walking into Petra along the narrow winding canyon it’s easy to see how this community was kept secret for so long.  Finally we stepped out to view the treasury building made famous in the movie, Indiana Jones and the last crusade.  But there is more to see of this hidden city, a roman amphitheatre, Nabataean rock tombs and amazing geological features.   

Following sea days include a transit of the Suez Canal and an early arrival in Port Said.  The canal is an awe inspiring piece of engineering; all dug by hand with shovels. 

Cairo, Egypt is the biggest city in Africa, busy, bustling, bursting with life and home to the mighty Pyramids of Giza.  Nothing can prepare you for your first visit it is everything you imagine and more.

Jerusalem, Israel, historically fascinating and of great religious importance to many people the world over.   A walking tour through the old city finishing at the Western (wailing) Wall and a stop in Bethlehem on the West Bank opened our eyes to the differences and similarities of people and religions.

Mykonos, Greece an island of blue and white buildings, clear blue water on golden beaches with the hot sun in a wide expanse of blue sky.  Picture perfect and we all took lots of pictures.  A day to drink Greek coffee, send postcards or just laze away your time shopping, snoozing, or visit the beaches where swimsuits are optional!

Istanbul, Turkey a city thought to be the jewel in the crown of so many empires, as it is the gateway to Europe or the Orient depending which side of the Bosphorus you stand. A walking tour though the home of Sultans, St Sophia, Blue Mosque and the roman ruins highlight the richness of over 1000 years of history.

Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula allowed us to see what our soldiers saw in that early morning in April nearly 100 years ago.  A moving service and wreath laying was held with a performance of the Dawn Princess Choir, made up of over 150 passenger volunteers, who  practised every day for the service.  Nearly the whole ship attended with standing room only.

Athens, Greece, settled as a place to worship the goddess Athena and birthplace of democracy but only if you weren’t a woman or a slave!  However both women and men made it to the top of Acropolis with great city views and temples that amaze the mind and lift the spirit. Of course we also made time to wonder the plaka, the old part of the city with interesting shops and restaurants       

Citivecchia, Italy, gateway to Rome the eternal city. The Vatican and the Colosseum are highlights for many, so stops were included but we also travelled through the city like locals; on foot. A walking tour lets you discover the treasures hidden down cobbled lanes and squares no bus could ever reach.

Livorno, Italy, stepping-off port for the Tuscan countryside and the picturesque village of San Gimignano.  This hill top village is everything you imagine a Tuscan village could be.  City walls built to protect the village. Cobbled narrow streets which twist and turn with unexpected vistas across rolling hills covered in sunflowers, wheat fields or vineyards.

Monaco, a tiny principality surrounded by France made famous when Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier and put it on the jet set map.   We landed by Tender going past multimillion dollar yachts anchored in the harbour some with helicopters! Touring along the corniche gave us extensive views, while walking past the ‘Palais du Prince’ less than a week after Prince Albert got married with all the decorations still in place was a treat . We also crossed the border to Nice for coffee and a chance to sample local delicacies at the market such as socca, cherries and flat peaches.

Barcelona, Spain, famously home of many Gaudi architectural wonders including the Sagrada Familia.  Strolling along La Ramblas to see the ‘living’ statues, sampling tapas and sipping sangria filled many peoples time on a hot lazy afternoon. 

Lisbon, Portugal, a city shaken to near obliteration but rebuilt into a people friendly city with verdant green gardens and ‘wild’ lands through and around the city and a short drive to Sintra the home of palaces, castles and luxury homes. Returning to the ship via the coast road allowed us to gasp with wonder at windsurfing skills this area is world famous for.

Le Havre, France a huge bustling container port but it took only minutes to leave the hustle behind heading for Giverny and Monet’s Garden.  Our only day of rain for the whole trip didn’t dampen our spirits.

Dover, England, white cliffs of ‘that’ song fame and rolling green downs of southern England are a delight to drive through on a sunny day heading to one of the most iconic cities in the world, London.  Disembarkation off the Dawn Princess was a breeze with just a short holdup due to misplaced luggage.  Located a short stroll from Harrods, our hotel was welcoming and comfortable which eased some of the sadness we felt as out amazing journey was coming to an end. Our final organised activity was a tour of London with some of the famous blue badge guides. These guides hold so many interesting stories and facts in their memories that any question asked was answered with ease.

On our final day there was time for shopping before the small group who were returning to Australia headed to the airport.  The majority of the group took the opportunity to extend their stay in Britain and Europe to visit friends and family or visit that special place on your bucket list.

The cruise will go on sale in Australia/New Zealand on 13 July 2011 – a day ahead of the global launch.

Cunard says the sailing has been sparked by strong bookings for the ship’s planned 2012 circumnavigation of Australia.

As well as the 12-night cruise, there’ll be a 19-night option including a Sydney to Fremantle sector.

Queen Mary 2 will be on a 106-night world voyage, which will go on sale at 10pm on 14 July this year, with pre-registration available from 4 July.

The same arrangement has been announced for Queen Victoria’s 2013 world voyage.

Discounts will be offered on bookings made by 31 December this year.

Please contact Cruise Offers on 1800 616 434 for further information or if you wish to pre-register. For all other cruise enquiries please visit www.cruiseoffers.com.au.

The 3840-passenger vessel will also cruise in China between June and October 2012, and will be the fifth Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited ship sailing in the region in 2012/13 – alongside Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium.

“There are clear opportunities in the China and Australia markets, which are key areas for Royal Caribbean International’s global development,” said CEO Adam Goldstein at a press conference in Shanghai.

Royal Caribbean Australia MD Gavin Smith said the positioning of Voyager down under “demonstrates our company’s tremendous belief in the future of this region and we are extremely honoured to shape the future of cruising in Australia”.

Voyager of the Seas has 1556 staterooms and will introduce a host of innovations including its ‘Royal Promenade’ indoor main street, an ice rink, skating track, golf simulator and inside cabins with a view.

She will operate 12 New Zealand, South Pacific and Australian itineraries ranging from one to 18 nights, sailing from Sydney and Fremantle.

Royal Caribbean said the cruises were due to open for sale early next month.

Visit www.cruiseoffers.com.au for more information.

Left to Right
David Clark, Sandra Walliss, Neville Walliss, Simon Walliss, Shawn Walliss, Nigel Walliss, Sally-Anne Matthews