Fremantle’s only locally based
ship is on its way and its first
summer season is almost
entirely sold out.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Astor has set
sail from Italy on its 36-night repositioning
cruise to the west coast of Australia, where it
will be based until April.
According to figures released exclusively to
Cruise Weekly, more than 88% of the ship’s
2013-14 inventory has been sold, and a
whopping 93% of its passengers are Australian.
One-quarter of the people booked on the
repositioning, however, are British.
The 12 December welcome party, staying
onboard overnight, has completely sold out,
but there is limited availability on the 20 Dec
Christmas sailing to Bali, the three-night New
Years Eve cruise, and three west coast cruises
in January.
Vilma Rovedatti, CMV Australia’s sales
and marketing manager, said the UK-based
company was delighted by the support from
the Australian public and travel agents.
“CMV is already satisfied with the decision
to add Fremantle to its home ports and
Australia to its extensive international cruise
destinations,” she said.
“Market research showed us the style of
cruising Australians wanted and these figures
certainly show that we have met those
expectations,” the company added.
Rovedatti confirmed that CMV was confident
of a long future in the region.
“Selling almost 90% of the Astor’s first
summer season in Australian waters is very
pleasing and continues to give us confidence of
Astor spending many summers here,” she said.
After a short delay, new 2014-15 itineraries
are due for release later this month, but it has
been confirmed that next year’s repositioning
cruise to Australia will depart from London,
UK, instead of Italy, on 5 November 2014.
“Her ports of call will include Lisbon,
Tenerife, Ascension Island, Cape Town/Mossel
Bay, where a game park tour will be offered,
Durban, Reunion & Mauritius,” Rovedatti said.
“Astor will arrive in to Fremantle, to
commence the first of 15 itineraries that she
will be offering in her second season based in
the WA port on Saturday, December 13, 2014
– just in time for Christmas.”
For details, contact a travel agent or see
www.cmvaustralia.com.
