Athena will return to Adelaide
in 2012/13 and make maiden
calls in Portland (Victoria), Asia
and Europe.
CLASSIC International Cruises has announced
details of the next season for its classic liner,
Athena, featuring new destinations, an
inaugural Easter voyage and a Rock ‘n’ Roll
cruise.
The 550-passenger ship will be the first to
visit Australia’s newest cruise destination,
Portland, in western Victoria, and the second
to ever visit Robe in South Australia.
The two historic towns form part of a new
five-night round-trip itinerary from Adelaide,
which also includes a call to Melbourne, in
February 2013.
Portland is close to the famous Twelve
Apostles along the Great Ocean Road and was
once home to the nation’s first saint, Mary
Mackillop.
In total, Athena is set to offer 17 cruises,
departing Fremantle and Adelaide, between
November 2012 and May 2013.
Fares start at $470 per person for two nights,
and children under 18 cruise for free on nine
selected cruises, with only nominal taxes to
pay.
Single supplements for solo travellers in
selected cabins are as low as 25% instead of
double.
Departures from Fremantle include CIassic
International Cruises’ first Easter cruise to
Esperance and Albany, with fares from $1,095
per person; and a four-night rock’n’roll music
cruise to Albany and Bunbury, with fares from
$795 per person.
Other local highlights include round-trip
itineraries from Adelaide to Tasmania,
Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.
Internationally, Athena will make maiden
calls to Kagoshima (Japan), Keelung (Taiwan),
Busan (South Korea) and Manila (Philippines)
as part of a 38-night Far East voyage from
Fremantle in February 2013.
This cruise, which includes 12 Asian ports
plus Christmas Island, is available from $5,995
per person.
Maiden calls are also planned for Dubai,
Livorno (Florence) in Italy, Kotor in
Montenegro, Durres in Albania and Muscat in
Oman as part of the ship’s two traditional linevoyages
between Europe and Australia.
Christmas and January holiday cruises will be
offered to Bali, Lombok and Broome.
Grant Hunter, CIassic International Cruises’
managing director for Australia, said the new
Australian program underscores the company’s
ongoing commitment to the growing
Australian cruise market, particularly in WA
and SA.
“This coming summer and in 2012/13 we will
again offer our successful formula of
traditional cruising on a real ocean liner,
affordable fares, attractive itineraries, fine
cuisine, friendly and personal service and a
warm and relaxed atmosphere that you only
get on a smaller vessel,” he said.
Bookings and brochures are available via
travel agents.
For more information, visit the CIC website at
www.classicintcruises.com.
