Tag Archives: Cairns

Holland America Line Returns to Australia

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After more than a two-year absence, Holland America Line returned to Australia. 

The Westerdam is Holland America Line’s first ship back in the region and arrived at Cairns, Australia on Thursday, November 3.

The Westerdam embarked on the voyage on October 2, departing from Seattle, Washington and making calls in Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii, Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii, Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Apia, Western Samoa, Suva, Fiji, Dravuni, Fiji, Lautoka, Fiji, Lifou, New Caledonia, Noumea, New Caledonia, and Alotau, Papua New Guinea before reaching Cairns, Australia. 

“After being away from Australia for far too long, we are excited to be back in this beautiful part of the world,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Despite just opening sales for Westerdam in Australia seven months ago, we’re already seeing some full cruises in the region. Thank you to all of the locals who welcomed our guests at Cairns today and embraced our return with open arms.”

The ship will make a few more stops at Australian destinations including Airlie Beach on November 4, Moreton Island on November 6, and Sydney on November 8 before moving on with its itinerary to New Zealand. The Westerdam will end its journey in Sydney, Australia on November 23. 

The Noordam will join the Westerdam in Australia, which will circle the Australian continent on its South Pacific and Australia Circumnavigation Collector journey, arriving at Sydney, Australia on November 5. 

This will be the first time that Holland America Line has positioned two of its ships cruising simultaneously around the region since 2016, according to a statement. 

On its Australian tour, the Noordam will make calls in Gladstone, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Port Lincoln, Exmouth, Geraldton, Fremantle, Albany, Adelaide, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and Melbourne.

A special, 14-day Holiday Cruise will depart from Auckland, New Zealand, on December 20, and will arrive in Sydney, Australia on January 3. 

Carnival Luminosa Visits Singapore on Its Way to Australia

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After being converted into a Carnival Cruise Line ship in Europe, the Carnival Luminosa continued its month-long voyage to Australia with a visit to Singapore, which was captured by the Singapore Cruise Society in these photos.

With no passenger onboard, the 2009-built vessel recently spent a day docked at the Asian port before departing for Brisbane – its new homeport.

Set to arrive at the Australian port later this month, the Luminosa will then start its maiden voyage on November 6.

On the day, the 2,260-guest ship departs Brisbane on a seven-night Great Barrier Reef cruise. In addition to two days at sea, the itinerary includes visits to Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and Willis Island.

In the region through mid-April, the Carnival Luminosa offers additional cruises to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific before repositioning to Alaska for a summer program in 2023.

Before returning to Australia for the 2023-2024 season, the ship is also slated to sail Carnival’s longest-ever cruise.

The 30-day transpacific voyage sails from Seattle to Brisbane and features visits to Alaska, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Transferred from Costa Cruises in September, the former Costa Luminosa blends Carnival’s service, food and signature features with the look and elements of its former operator.

While being prepared for its debut, the 92,000-ton vessel saw some of its public areas transformed to offer the signature experiences and spaces of the U.S.-based cruise line during a recent drydock in Italy.  

Keeping its décor and most original design elements, the ship received new venues like The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Serenity Retreat and more.

In addition to Carnival’s new hull livery, the Luminosa also saw the addition of new dining venues such as Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Following the Luminosa, two additional Costa ships – the Costa Venezia and the Costa Firenze – are set to join the Carnival fleet over the coming years.

Carnival Publishes Luminosa’s First Itineraries

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Carnival Cruise Line just published the first itineraries of the Carnival Luminosa. Currently, in service for Costa Cruises in Europe, the vessel will join the fleet of the U.S.-based operator this November.

After a winter schedule in Australia, the 2009-built ship is set to cross the Pacific Ocean ahead of its first stateside deployment in Alaska.

According to Carnival’s website, the Luminosa is debuting on November 6, 2022. On that day, the ship embarks on a seven-night cruise departing from its new Australian homeport in Brisbane.

Sailing to the Great Barrier Reef, the itinerary includes visits to Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas. Before returning to Brisbane, the vessel also sails by Willis Island, where guests can enjoy scenic cruising.

Continuing its inaugural season in Australia, the Luminosa is offering additional weeklong cruises to the region, in addition to eight- to 11-night itineraries to New Zealand and the South Pacific. Among the visited destinations are Wellington, Port Chalmers, Mystery Island and Noumea.

The schedule also includes three- and four-night getaway cruises that feature stops in Airlie Beach, in addition to sea days.

On April 13, 2023, the Carnival Luminosa starts a transpacific cruise to Seattle. Also departing from Brisbane, the 22-night voyage sails to five destinations, including Papeete, in Tahiti; Suva, in Fiji; and Honolulu, in Hawaii.

Once in the U.S., the ship kicks off its inaugural season in Alaska and Canada, with a series of seven-night voyages.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the itineraries will be operated through October and feature some of the region’s most popular destinations, such as Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan and more.

All of the departures also feature scenic cruising in the Tracy Arm Fjord.

Bringing Carnival to the Far East, the Luminosa concludes its first Alaska season with a special 30-night sailing to Brisbane.

Visiting five ports in Japan and additional destinations in the United States, the Philippines and Indonesia, the cruise departs Seattle on September 14, 2023.

Between October 2023 and April 2024, the vessel is set to offer a second season in Australia, with varied itineraries sailing from Brisbane.