Weekend getaways at sea
are booming in popularity and
attracting younger first-time pax.
Australia-based ships are
increasing the number of
“sampler” or “taster” cruises to
meet the demand from locals
looking for a quick & easy holiday.
According to the latest figures
from CLIA, cruises lasting one,
two or three nights saw a 38%
rise in Australian passenger
numbers – from 55,489 in 2011
up to 76,719 in 2012 – which
was the greatest growth out of all
cruise durations.
But not everyone in the industry
is a fan – Royal Caribbean and
Celebrity Cruises have stopped
one-night sailings out of Sydney.
In January, Voyager of the Seas
will instead offer a three-night
option, while Rhapsody of the
Seas has a two-night trip in Oct.
CLIA-accredited travel agent
John Gercken of Northside
Business Travel laments the
recent trend for shorter cruises.
“It’s sad, because unlike the
US where they actually have
ports they can visit in that short
time, our cruises are mostly to
nowhere, which turns them into
booze and gambling cruises,” he
told Travel Daily Cruise Update.
However, Gercken believes
there is some hope if cruise lines
can “get a bit more adventurous”
than cruising aimlessly.
“At least P&O has found
Moreton Island in an attempt to
improve this,” he said.
The four-night cruise to Moreton
Bay is operated by Pacific Jewel.
Pacific Jewel also has two three-night
weekend getaways in Feb,
incorporating comedy, food and
wine themes.
Pacific Pearl departs Sydney on
20 Jan to arrive in time for the
singles quarterfinal matches of
the Australian Open at Rod Laver
Arena, Melbourne.
Returning from Melbourne, the
ship offers a one-way two-night
trip to Sydney.
From Brisbane, Pacific Dawn
heads for the Whitsundays for
four nights on 28 Jan, 29 Mar, 06
Sep & 01 Nov, and offers a three-night
comedy cruise on 26 Jul.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival
Spirit is undertaking two three-night
coastal cruises from Sydney
in Mar and Sep, while Celebrity
Cruises’ elegant Celebrity Solstice
will operate one in Oct.
