Tag Archives: New Zealand

Azamara Unveils 155-Night World Voyage for 2025

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Azamara has announced its 2025 World Voyage aboard the Azamara Onward.

The 155-night cruise will take place aboard the ship, departing from San Diego, California.

The vessel will visit 37 countries before ending the cruise in Southampton, United Kingdom.

The announcement comes following the success of Azamara’s 2024 World Voyage which was sold out with a waitlist.

“We are thrilled to have our second world cruise aboard Azamara Onward. With 60% of ports on this sailing being different from those on our 2024 world voyage, this itinerary was carefully curated to give even the most well-travelled guests a new perspective on the world,” said Carol Cabezas, president of Azamara.

“Our 2025 world cruise invites travellers to not only see the world but also take their time in each destination and make memories that will last long after the journey has ended,” Cabezas concluded.

The Azamara Onward’s itinerary will include 15 overnights and 31 late stays in ports, allowing guests to explore each destination. The 2025 World Voyage will also include 13 complimentary land events starting with a gala in San Diego.

Highlighted destinations of Azamara Onward’s itinerary include Honolulu, Hawaii, Samoa and Tonga, Sydney, Australia, Stewart Island, New Zealand, Benoa, Bali, Bangkok, Thailand, and Semarang, Indonesia.

Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage will also offer $25,000 in exclusive amenities including $4,000 in onboard credit, a premium beverage package for two, weekly laundry service, and $3,000 for shore excursions, among other amenities.

Bookings for Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage are currently open to trade partners, loyalty guests, and past-world travellers only.

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. 

Celebrity Cruises Marks Australia and New Zealand Return

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Saturday marked a new beginning, as Celebrity Cruises celebrated its highly anticipated return to Australian and New Zealand waters.

On Saturday, the Celebrity Eclipse set sail from Sydney, Australia, on a 12-night itinerary exploring the ruggedly scenic wilderness of New Zealand.

According to a press release, this voyage is the first of 17 sailings departing from Sydney and Auckland through April 2023, and the first for Celebrity Eclipse in Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific waters.

“The return Down Under has been long-awaited but someday has finally arrived! Celebrity Eclipse is the first Celebrity ship to sail this region for 930 days – a momentous occasion for the brand and our team members who have worked so hard to get to this point; and the first of many wonderful sailings ahead,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “Returning to this region is another significant milestone in the industry’s global recovery, as we sail forward into a bright future.”

Celebrity Cruises Vice President and Managing Director of Australia and APAC, Tim Jones, added, “We’ve been patiently waiting for this moment for so long, and to finally see the freshly painted blue hull of Celebrity Eclipse slice through the waters of Sydney Harbour didn’t disappoint. We were one of the remaining major cruise markets to return to service, and we are proud to be contributing to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific tourism industries once more, alongside rebuilding the economy of key coastal communities.

“Continuing our momentum in the region, next year we’ll be taking the guest experience to the ‘Edge’ with the debut season of Celebrity Edge Down Under! It’s the great outdoors that make this region truly exceptional and we can’t wait to welcome an equally exceptional ship that’s been uniquely designed to connect guests with their surroundings. Whether you’re flying Down Under to join us, or stepping aboard from your front door, Celebrity Edge is a chance to explore our exotic landscapes like never before, all while sailing in complete luxury. ”