Captain Cook Cruises is
freshening up its fleet,
launching new cruises, and
welcoming special guests
onboard, as part of a raft of
special developments in 2013.
CRUISING around Sydney Harbour on
Captain Cook Cruises’ iconic Sydney 2000,
company big-wigs Jackie Charlton and Richard
Doyle shared with media what the world can
expect from the company over the next 12
months.
“There are some exciting new developments
on the horizon,” Sealink’s Head of Marketing
Richard Doyle told CW.
Whilst keeping tight-lipped about a few of
the company’s plans, Doyle did reveal that
Sydney 2000 is in line to get a new winter
menu, as well as a renovation (commencing in
May) which will include new tasteful soft
furnishings with “a bit more of an Eastern focus”.
“This ship can afford to tweak, because we
have three different levels of dining so we can
cater to a diverse market, from exclusive
weddings to an Asian focused experience,”
said Doyle.
The renovations will also include the
installation of two new engines.
In terms of the Captain’s Murray product,
Murray Princess, Doyle told CW that the muchloved
paddlewheeler will be refurbished over
the next 12-18 months, with the one million
dollar work to include a makeover of her
cabins “to bring the ship up to a more
contemporary standard and style”.
“We’ve seen a shift in the demographic
showing that Murray guests are starting to get
younger and we need to cater to that change
in demographic, as well as look after our
returning guests,” he said.
Other goodies in-store include a special four
night foodies voyage departing 10 June
accompanied by Masterchef winner Julie
Goodwin, who will present a series of cooking
demonstrations and talks for guests.
MEANWHILE in Captain Cook Cruises Fiji
news, Executive Director Jackie Charlton, said
the company is set to debut a brand new 11-
night itinerary to Lau this year, with the
inaugural departure (which has completely
sold out) to take place on 22 October.
“We basically just launched it to our past
passengers and that filled it up,” she said.
The cruise will take guests to Yanuca Island,
Savusavu Bay and Kadavu, and will provide
scenic cruising through the Bay of Islands and
the central Lau Group (passing Islands such as
Lakeba, Oneata, Komo, Namuka-i-Lau and
Yagasa), providing plenty of kayaking; river
tubing; mountain biking; swimming; snorkeling
and hiking opportunities, as well as the chance
to visit volcanoes, schools and churches and
enjoy a lovo feast.
Speaking about the Captain’s Fijian ship,
Reef Endevour, Charlton revealed that thus far
the company has spent over a million dollars
on her refurbishment.
“And we’re still spending money,” she
quipped, adding that Endevour’s furnishings,
public areas and carpets have all been
updated, and that the ship has just had
another four of its staterooms converted into
interconnecting family rooms.
Those that can’t live without the internet,
will also be excited to learn that the ship now
sports free-of-charge Wi-Fi.
And for guests who just want to escape from
it all, Charlton also announced that from the
middle of October to the end of November
Endeavour will welcome a Shaolin monk
onboard to lead guests in meditation.
