Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel set to call Australia home

New Australian deployment by third largest global cruise company reflects growing strength of local sector, now the fourth largest passenger source market in the world.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) today announced that Norwegian Jewel – part of NorwegianCruise Line’s (NCL) 14-strong fleet – will be based year-round in the Asia Pacific with departures to and from Australia commencing October 2017, kick-starting with an initial schedule of 15 sensational sailings through to March 2018. Bookings for Norwegian Jewel’s inaugural Australasian itineraries will open on 29 June 2016.

Executive Vice President of International Business Development for NCLH, Mr Harry Sommer, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce Norwegian Jewel will be calling Australia home from November 2017, giving local travellers the opportunity to cruise to or from Sydney on a range of amazing itineraries along the Australian and New Zealand coastlines, together with enticing island destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia, before she begins a series of south-east Asian journeys early in 2018.”

In a nod to Norwegian Jewel’s new adopted home port, guests will be treated to the finest local Australian produce including regional beef, lamb, seafood, fine wines and ales on her voyages from Sydney. Additionally, guests will enjoy award-winning entertainment straight from our shores – with the epic home-grown ballroom spectacular Burn the Floorbeing confirmed as part of Jewel’s on-board entertainment.

“Norwegian Cruise Line offers freedom and flexibility never before seen in Australia, and we’re delighted that Australians will now be able to experience premium-contemporary freestyle cruising much closer to home, with some additional local flair,” said Mr Sommer.

With a wide range of accommodation ranging from inside and oceanview staterooms to family suites and expansive, luxurious suites with 24-hour butler service in The Haven, together with 16 dining options ranging from Teppanyaki to Brazilian Churrascaria with no set dining times or pre-assigned seating, Norwegian Jewel epitomises NCL’s flexible ‘freestyle’ approach to life on board.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Sommer said: “With Australasia home to some of the world’s fastest growing cruise markets – including Australia, which grew by a further 15 percent in 2015 to deliver a new record of 1,000,060 passengers, making it the world’s fourth largest passenger market, equal to China – NCLH is making a major commitment to the region across all of its three brands, kick-starting with the regional deployment of Norwegian Jewel,” Mr Sommer said

From Airlie Beach to Auckland, Port Lincoln to Papeete, Burnie to Bali and Kangaroo Island to Komodo, Norwegian Jewel will be visiting some of the region’s most incredible ports across 15 specially-crafted itineraries, commencing on 3 October 2017 with a 39-night combination cruise from Vancouver to Sydney taking in Hawaii and the South Pacific which can be undertaken in three segments.

Highlights of Norwegian Jewel’s inaugural local season comprises seven Sydney round-trip cruises including a 5-day Sydney-Tasmania-Sydney cruise departing 12 November 2017, as well as a 9-day voyage visiting a swathe of burgeoning regional destinations including Eden, Kangaroo Island and Tasmania’s Burnie, departing 14 December 2017. Norwegian Jewel’s 10 to 16-day Australia and New Zealand itineraries depart between November 2017 and February 2018, with highlights including cruising through New Zealand’s striking Milford Sound and the spectacular Bay of Islands. Jewel will make her way from Sydney to Singapore on an 18 day adventure departing 20 February 2018 where guests can enjoy the best of Far North Queensland, Darwin, and enjoy a visit to the enchanting Komodo Island.

Following her Australian season, Norwegian Jewel will undertake a range of exotic Asian itineraries visiting Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea and more, offering Australian travellers the opportunity to explore some of the best Asia has to offer on a 40-night combination voyage from Sydney through to Yokohama – Gateway to Tokyo.

For additional information on Norwegian Jewel and her 2017-18 Australasian itineraries, please visitwww.norwegiancruiseline.com.au/norwegian-jewel-to-australia

A dedicated 12-page brochure, ‘Norwegian Jewel – a new style of cruising to call Australian home’, is also available online, or as hardcopy by request.

To book a cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian’s local hotline, Australia: 1300 255 200, New Zealand: 0800 969 283 email resoffice@ncl.com or visit www.ncl.com.au

TV's Dr John D'Arcy to take cruisers back to Vietnam where he worked during the war - 50th anniversary of Battle of Long Tan

Features 50th anniversary visit to the site of the Battle of Long Tan

From only $4990 including flights, sightseeing and onboard drinks

One of Australia's first TV medicos, Dr John D'Arcy, will co-host a special, two-week cruise tour to the Orient this November with Cruise Express, with the voyage including a visit to Vietnam where he practised until the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The 13-night escorted cruise tour will take guests to the site of the Battle of Long Tan near Ho Chi Minh City – a legendary Vietnam War clash in which just over 100 young 'diggers' emerged victorious against a 2500-strong Viet Cong. The exclusive visit will come just three months after the 50thh anniversary of the 1966 battle.

Better known as 'Dr John', Dr D'Arcy became a trusted, household name in the 1980s and 90s as a host of popular science show, 'Beyond 2000'. As the first medical practitioner ever appointed to an Australian newsroom, Dr John D'Arcy led the way in medical and health care information on Australian television. He was also passionate about improving healthcare in developing regions, practising in the PNG Highlands and also in a Vietnam hospital during the war until the fall of Saigon when he and his wife were evacuated back to Australia.

Practising as a private doctor in Sydney, Dr John D'Arcy is heard around Australia every weekday through his syndicated radio program, 'Health Check' and via his regular magazine columns. During the cruise tour this November, Dr John will host special wellness seminars for Cruise Express guests aboard the luxury, boutique ship, Azamara Journey, and will also recount his dramatic days in Vietnam during the war.

The exclusive tour – 'An Oriental Journey' – begins on November 28, 2016, with a flight from Australia to Singapore for a two-night stay, including an evening sound and light tour and welcome dinner. Guests then board the 690-passenger Azamara Journey for a 10-night cruise to Hong Kong via the palm-fringed beaches of Ko Samui and Bangkok where tickets are included to see one of the world's largest cultural shows, Siam Niramit. The ship will dock overnight in the Thai capital and also Ho Chi Minh City where guests will be guided to the site of the famous Battle of Long Tan  - one of the most savage and decisive engagements in Australian military history. Guests will also be treated to a complimentary 'AzAmazing Evening' cultural experience organised by Azamara Cruises ashore in Ho Chi Minh City.

Disembarking in Hong Kong, guests will take a tour of the city and a sampan cruise on the harbour before joining a farewell feast in the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant and a flight home to Australia.

Including return flights from Australia, sightseeing in Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong and onboard drinks and Dr John D'Arcy's wellness seminars, the 13-night 'Oriental Journey' package is available from $4990 per person, twin-share. An extended stay in Hong Kong at the end of the itinerary is also available.

To book, call Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au

Queensland Great Barrier Reef: The war on the Crown of Thorns Starfish

THE UNDERWATER ARMY TACKLING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF'S PRICKLIEST PEST ONE SHOT AT A TIME.


·        Great Barrier Reef Crown of Thorns Starfish (CoTS) eradication program adds meaning to World Oceans Day
·        New single-shot technique uses cattle bile to kill 14 times more CoTS in a day than previous method
·        CoTS control program provides unemployed youth with valuable training and a job.

Armed with only scuba suits and syringes, an army of newly-trained divers is taking on one of the biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef - the Crown of Thorns Starfish (CoTS) - one shot at a time.

In the lead up to World Oceans Day, these Cairns-based divers are on a very important mission; to preserve the world's largest coral reef ecosystem from a predator whose appetite knows no bounds.

In healthy numbers Crown of Thorns Starfish are essential to the future of the reef, consuming fast growing corals so that slower growing corals have a chance to develop. However, one CoTS can reproduce in the tens of millions and, if left unchecked, has the potential to devour large coral outcrops thus destroying vital reef fish habitat.

One of the team securing the containment lines around the reef is Mat Trueman, a dive supervisor for the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO), the organisation that manages the Crown of Thorns Control Program in Queensland. Mat leads teams of up to 12 men and women on 10-day containment voyages off the coast of Cairns and Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland.

"I like to do my part to make sure we're getting rid of the Crown of Thorns (Starfish) on the reef so that it helps preserve it for future generations,' said Mat.

While it sounds like an idyllic job, diving the Great Barrier Reef four times a day – to contain outbreaks - is gruelling work adds Col McKenzie, Executive Director of AMPTO and the man who spearheaded the program. Col also represents the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area and industry on some 38 boards and committees.

Thanks to a new culling technique, which sees the starfish injected with bile salts from cattle, Col and the team are reclaiming reef territory faster than ever before.

One quick and simple injection euthanizes a starfish, without harming the reef, a far cry from the previous method in which divers had to inject the reef pests up to 30 times.

"Using the old technology and sodium bi-sulfate, it used to take around about six minutes to deal with a (single) Crown of Thorns Starfish," explained Col. "These days with a single-shot injection, we are able to deal with one every four or five seconds.

"We would be pretty happy in the past if we could take 500 Crown of Thorns in a day using the old method. (With) the new method, the best we've done is 7000," said Col.

Since 2012, teams from AMPTO have destroyed more than 400,000 of the starfish.

While the Crown of Thorns may be a threat to the reef, they are also providing valuable training and employment for young men and women in the local area.

"We're actually running two programs here," said Col McKenzie. "One is the Crown of Thorns Control Program and the other is called Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program.

"That second program takes unemployed youth and we teach them to be occupational divers using the Crown of Thorns as the catalyst. So we're getting an employment benefit as well as an ecological benefit."

"What we're doing with our program is achieving good environmental outcomes for the reef and changing lives."

It takes the young divers six months to gain their dive master status and so far 145 trainees have graduated from the CoTS program and now have dive qualifications, with an 85% employment rate.

Dive supervisor Mat Trueman is a star graduate of the program.

"I was in the original unemployed youth program," he said. "After I completed my training I came back a couple of years later and now I'm dive supervisor on the vessel."

Meanwhile Col McKenzie adds that it's "not all doom and gloom on the reef as the media sometimes suggests."

"The Great Barrier Reef is spectacular and one of the few Coral Reef Systems where you can see whales, coral fish, turtles and big sharks on a daily basis and it's a great place to go and have a look at."

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Tourism and Events Queensland

W te.queensland.com  •  S twitter.com/teqld

Where to plan your next Queensland holiday: queensland.com  •          

Solomon Airlines resumes flights to Malaita Province

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Further spreading the benefits of international tourism across the Solomon Islands and providing a vital air link for the people of Malaita Province, Solomon Airlines has resumed flights into the provincial capital of Auki.

The national carrier has commenced operation of three weekly services ex-Honiara on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using a combination of its Twin Otter and Islander aircraft on the route.

Announcing the news, General Manager Operations & Commercial, Gus Kraus acknowledged the efforts the Solomon Islands government, the Malaita Provincial  Government  and local landowners have gone to in ensuring the return of what he described as "a much needed air service" between Honiara and Auki.

"We also see this as a huge opportunity to open up the province to the benefits of tourism so it goes without saying we are very excited with this long-awaited development," Mr Kraus said.

Mr Kraus said he was hopeful the airline would be able to employ its Dash 8 aircraft on the route in the not too distant future.

"More work is required on the runway before we can start flying the Dash 8 into Auki," he said.

"But we are hopeful following recent discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government, we will see this further opportunity bearing fruit in the near future."

Solomon Airlines' CEO, Captain Ron Sumsum and marketing manager, Colin Sigimanu flew into Auki on the airline's first service this week where it was met by the Premier of Malaita Province, the Hon. Peter Chanel Ramohia who officiated at a formal event welcoming the resumption of air services.

Malaita constitutes one of the largest of the Solomon Islands nine provinces. Its capital city, Auki, has a population of close on 9000 people.

The province is known as a 'cultural jewel', famed for its traditional production of the highly prized 'Shell Money' which still exists as an alternative form of currency and plays a key role in traditional wedding dowry payments.

The Malaitan people are also known for their Pan Pipe orchestras and their ability to 'call' sharks.

Flights between Honiara and Auki take just 30 minutes.

Image shows the Premier of Malaita Province, the Hon. Peter Chanel Ramohia welcoming the first Solomon Airlines flight into Auki.
 
For further information, visit www.flysolomons.com.

Alternatively contact Solomon Airlines Australian Office, telephone toll free on 1300 894311 or + 61 3860 5883 or Solomon Islands Travel Centre in Honiara, telephone + 677 20152.


W: www.flysolomons.com  
F: www.facebook.com/flysolomons

Sneak Peek into Australia’s Largest Independent Airport Lounge

A brand new Plaza Premium Lounge at Brisbane Airport has soft-opened, welcoming all travellers regardless of their airline or class of travel.

Big hearted MTA Members reach out to Fiji

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' co-managing directors Roy and Karen Merricks have personally delivered more than 250 kilos of clothing, toys and school materials donated by the Merricks and MTA Members to the children of Naqalimare District School in Sigatoka on Fiji's big island of Viti Levu.

The area was one of many regions of the destination severely affected by the ravages of Tropical Cyclone Winston which smashed into the Fijian archipelago with deadly effects in late February.

The Fijian people's plight was very much in focus at the recent MTA National Conference on the Gold Coast in March when high profile Fiji-based celebrity chef Lance Seeto, a close personal friend of the Merricks, addressed the members and called on them for their help.

The result, 250 kilos of clothing, toys and school materials collected at an MTA family fun-day on the Gold Coast where Chef Seeto, accompanied by MTA ambassador Jessica Watson OAM manned the BBQ for MTA Members and their families attending the 'Power of Community' national conference.

Pictured, Naqalimare District schoolchildren and just some of the 250 kilos of clothing, toys and material donated by MTA.


W: www.mtatravel.com.au

F:   www.facebook.com/mobiletravelagents      

 

The Time is Right for an Outback NSW Adventure

As the weather cools down, it's the perfect time for an Outback adventure. Award winning tour operator Tri State Safaris provides an insight into what's awaiting travellers in Far West NSW.

Driving through Cameron Corner

"It is adventure and inspiration. It is freedom and wonder. It is ours and it's just around the corner. FAR WEST NSW – this is where your next adventure begins."

The outback in your back yard.

Abounding in nature's gifts and home to beauty rich and rare – Outback NSW is the land that Australians sing of.

It is the home of far-reaching blue skies, brilliant sunsets and the countless stars that they give birth to - the land where darkness never truly falls. Here residents breathe air fresh and cool, in the quiet of nights so silent that you could hear a kangaroo's footstep. And travellers journey through landscapes of red desert sands and sprawling salt bush plains. From jump-ups and sand dunes to national parks and creek beds lined with majestic red river gums, our roads lead through country filled with an abundance of rare bird and wildlife, between townships steeped in Australian culture and history.

This stunning outback region has plenty of unique, colourful and exciting opportunities to offer travellers. Holiday-makers, families, retirees, 4WD-enthusiasts, wanderlust travellers and artists of all descriptions will all find an array of experiences to pique their curiosity and enliven their sense of adventure.

With an abundance of rain having blessed the sun-kissed soils of Outback NSW this year, residents and travellers are looking forward to a spectacular season with blankets of wild flowers, increased wild life activity and a plethora of birdlife predicted for the months ahead. Whether or not you've been here before, chances are you haven't come close to seeing it all. Now is the time to visit!

Reconnect with your Australian heritage.

Far West NSW is home to Australia's first heritage listed city, Broken Hill. Best known as the birth place of BHP Billiton, this mining community offers a dynamic art scene with multiple galleries, including that of renowned artist Pro Hart, heritage-listed buildings and old-world hospitality. It is the hub of a variety of popular tourist destinations including cinematic gem Silverton, the home of Mad Max 2 and artists John Dynon and Albert Woodroffe. A short drive from Broken Hill will find you in the wetlands of Menindee and Kinchega National Park, or the 'land of green grass and water holes' Mutawintji National Park. With a population of about 19,000 people, Broken Hill is the largest community in the Corner Country, and the perfect beginning for any outback adventure.

Discover Australian culture.

Far West NSW offers travellers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the pastoral and indigenous cultures that have shaped our modern day nation. There are multiple opportunities to visit working sheep and cattle stations on station stays, with some offering overnight accommodation in renovated and sometimes luxurious shearers' quarters.

For those wishing to take a step further back into time, the region is home to a number of Australia's most sacred indigenous sites, including one of Australia's most extensive rock art collections. Take the time to visit the popular Mutawintji National Park, an ancient meeting place for Indigenous Aboriginal tribes wishing to trade goods, exchange news or conduct religious ceremonies. Or walk amidst the lunettes of Mungo National Park, to the place where remnants of human occupation date back over 40,000 years. Get the most out of your adventure by booking on board a tour with one of the region's award-winning tour companies to gain access to restricted areas.

Experience the character of the corner country.

From unique townships such as White Cliffs (where residents literally live their lives underground) to the regional community of Tibooburra known as the most remote community in NSW and often described as the hottest – travellers can partake in indigenous and river heritage at Wilcannia, try 'noodling' for opal in White Cliffs, or follow the Dingo Fence through the red sands dunes of the Corner Country to touch the famous Corner Post where the three states meet. Marvel at the conditions faced by Australia's early explorers as you follow in the footsteps of Australian explorers such as Burke and Wills, whose ill-fated expedition began at Menindee before heading north past Innamincka and then back to a fatal ending at the "Dig Tree". Or settle into the easy pace of outback living and take the time to meet the laid-back and quirky characters that call this sometimes harsh land home, exchange stories and share some laughs at a local pub.

Stunning locations.

Visit some of Australia's most iconic destinations with a number of protected National Parks on offer in the Far West Region. From the jump-ups and gibber plains of Sturt National Park, the sand dunes and lunettes of Mungo National Park, the red river gums, water holes and cultural art works of Mutawintji National Park – you'll be inspired by Australia's natural beauty and amazed at how diverse our country can be.

With plenty to see and do in the Far West NSW you'll never get bored, and with such a variety of locations and experiences to choose from, there's sure to be something to suit you. But why believe us? Go and see it for yourself! Plan your next adventure today!

Visit http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/outback-nsw or https://www.travelin.com.au/go/broken-hill/explore-discover/ for destination information and to download the Outback Visitor Information Guide.



Menindee Lake



Cameron Corner in bloom



Rock art in Mutawintji National Park



Mungo National Park



Living Desert and Sculpture Symposium, near Broken Hill



Tour group with Tri State Safaris