This was published 9 years ago
Cruise to end Parkinsons with the Back to the Future cast
Rub shoulders with cast and crew from the Back to the Future trilogy on the Cruise to End Parkinson's.
Fan art: Cruise logo designed by Sydney-based graphic designer, Stephen Poleweski.
NEWS
Back to the Future
Charities these days are looking for ever-more imaginative ways to combat 'compassion fatigue' – and what better way of offering a way for people to do good while feeling good than on a cruise?
Anniversary: The Aranui shipping line toasts 30 years of freighter cruising this November. Credit: Lionel Gouverneur
The cast and crew from the Back to the Future films have got together to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) by hosting a fabulous cruise on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas next November. Award-winning Canadian superstar Michael J. Fox, who played Marty McFly in three Back to the Future films, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1991 and set up MJFF in 2000 after retiring from his highly successful TV show Spin City.
Today the foundation is the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's drug development in the world. According to the Shake It Up organisation in Australia, a partner of MJFF, Parkinson's affects 10 million people worldwide and about 100,000 in Australia. So the chances are high that you know someone affected by the condition. If you're a keen cruiser, a fan of the Back to the Future series and would like to contribute to the cause, this celeb-filled fundraising cruise is made for you.
The seven-night 'Cruise to End Parkinson's' sets sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 7. Oasis of the Seas, the second-largest cruise ship in the world (just 5mm smaller than its slightly younger twin sister, Allure of the Seas) and boasting many futuristic features, will call at a private island off Haiti, plus Jamaica and Cozumel. There will be special events celebrating the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future, including the 'Enchantment Under the Sea' dance with the show's stars, behind the scenes Q&A sessions and screenings with live commentary by cast and crew, special presentations and wine and food events.
Star gazing: You might bump into Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly) on the Cruise to End Parkinson's.
You'll be rubbing shoulders with Marc McClure (Dave McFly), Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly), Darlene Vogel (Spike), Frances Lee McCain (Stella Baines) and cinematographer Dean Cundey. Jeffrey Weissman, who contacted me about the cruise, mentioned that the logo for the cruise was designed by an Australian fan of the movies – Sydney based graphic designer, Stephen Poleweski of Sydney. Parkinson's is a global problem but as Marty McFly said, "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."
See BTTFCruise.com or cruisetoendparkinsons.com.
Q&A
Expand your horizons: Carnival Cruise Lines' third engineer Ivica Bajcic recommends passengers try out activities they would never take part in at home such as bingo or karaoke.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Ivica Bajcic, from Croatia.
POSITION Third Engineer, Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Legend.
Wi-Fi on the high seas: The Carnival Legend will soon be offering WiFi@Sea, a fast, powerful internet service that allows connection to social media, photo sharing and email.
MY JOB During my watch I supervise the engine plant and any preventative maintenance. Ensuring a safe voyage for all guests and crew is my priority.
MY TYPICAL DAY I do two watch shifts during my day. As third engineer I spend most of my time down in the engine room, while my watch leader (second engineer) is supervising the plant from the engine control room and guides me as needed. At lunchtime I rest and use the time to go to the gym, or on photography, which is my passion.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Visiting Alaska – it was a place I have always wanted to see.
A river runs through it: Russian Travel Centre is marketing Volga River cruises on the newly refurbished MS Rostropovich and offering a two-for-one deal on seven-night itineraries between Moscow and St Petersburg.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORT I love Tampa for shopping and Cozumel for Turkish coffee! Grand Cayman has a motor museum and a turtle farm that I enjoy very much.
TIP FOR PASSENGERS Enjoy things on the ship that you'd never do at home – like bingo, karaoke or a game show!
TIP Save a few dollars a day by drinking the ship's tap water instead of bottled water – the purification processes involved mean it's more drinkable than most city tap water.
NEWS
Aranui celebrates 30 years of freighter cruising
In November 1984, Tahiti freighter ship Aranui 1 made its first historic passenger cruise, departing from Papeete with 24 passengers and cargo, bound for the northern Tahiti archipelagos. Over the following 30 years, the shipping line has carried 44,750 passengers and 484,900 tonnes of freight between Tahiti and the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands on three successive vessels. Aranui 3's April 25, 2015 sailing will mark the 30th anniversary with a special dinner show, firework display, giveaways and onboard credits. Later in the year, the 256-passenger Aranui 5 is set to replace Aranui 3 (there won't be an Aranui 4 as the number is considered bad luck by the Chinese-owned company). See aranuicruises.com.au.
RE-ROUTING
Russian river cruise update
While APT is temporarily suspending its 2015 Russian river cruises – and the construction of its new ship MS Anastasia – MS Amakatarina, which APT used to charter, is now sailing with its owners under its original name of MS Rostropovich. The ship was totally rebuilt in 2009 when new suites and balconies were installed and it has undergone more refurbishments since then. Now the Sydney-based Russian Travel Centre is marketing Volga River cruises on MS Rostropovich and is offering a two-for-one deal on seven-night itineraries between Moscow and St Petersburg for bookings made by January 31, 2015. See eetbtravel.com.
CONNECTED
Faster internet at sea
Royal Caribbean has set the ball rolling with high-speed connectivity on its Quantum-class ships and now Carnival Corporation is preparing to roll out its own high-speed network, WiFi@Sea, across all 101 ships in its nine cruise lines. WiFi@Sea is a "hybrid wireless network" that will offer passengers and crew a fast, powerful internet service that allows connection to social media, photo sharing and email. WiFi@Sea will be up and running in the Caribbean by the end of the year and will expand to Alaska next (northern) summer and Europe and Asia in 2015 and 2016. Pricing will vary on different cruise lines.
DEALS
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Avalon Waterways is offering a special deal for group travellers, whereby you can buy two cabins and get a third cabin for free on its 2015 French river cruises. On sale until December 15, 2014, or until sold out, the offer is available on four itineraries throughout 2015: the eight-day Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches (from $3257); 11-day Burgundy and Provence (from $4237); 16-day Grand France (from $6866); and 16-day Rhine and Rhone Revealed (from 7543). Phone 1300 230 234, see avalonwaterways.com.au.
MORE DEALS
CRUISE EXPRESS Free return flights from every mainland state capital are being offered on two 10-night Kimberley cruises between Broome and Darwin on the luxury expedition ship Silver Discoverer. Departures are April 9 and 19, 2015; from $10,950. Phone 1300 766 537, see cruiseexpress.com.au.
CRUISECO's 15-night fly/cruise/stay northern Europe package includes a 12-night Southampton to Copenhagen cruise on board Oceania Cruises' Nautica, luxury accommodation in London and Copenhagen and a $200 shipboard credit when you book by December 31. Departing July 7, from $5495. Phone 1800 225 656, see cruising.com.au.
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