Allure of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship.
Is it possible for ships to get even bigger? It seems so. The biggest cruise ship in the world is Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, which carries up to 6410 passengers and 2384 crew, however when Harmony of the Seas launches next April, it will knock Allure off its perch – it will be just 15 centimetres longer than its 362-metre long fleet mate.
Then the giant Carnival Corporation announced the other week that it has ordered four megaships that will accommodate even more passengers – up to 6600 each – when they set sail in 2019 and 2022. However, when you look more closely at the numbers, the Carnival ships (two of which are for the German line AIDA, the other two most likely for another of the company's Europe-based lines) will actually be smaller than Royal Caribbean's three Oasis-class ships.
It's all about the gross registered tonnage (GRT): the measurement of a ship's interior volume and how much space there is for passengers, plus the pools, cabins, restaurants, theatres and all the other flash features that modern resort-style ships offer. While the new Carnival Corporation ships are expected to have a GRT of 180,000 tons (figures on how long they will be aren't yet available) they will carry more passengers than the biggest Royal Caribbean ships, which have a much larger GRT, 225,282 for Allure of the Seas, 227,000 for Harmony.
Viking Star.
Does that mean Carnival is "stuffing" more than 7000 people into its new cruise ships, as a recent headline suggested? According to a statement put out by the company, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess, P&O Cruises and Seabourn, "a major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ships' spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests".
As the plans firm up over the coming months, it will be interesting to see which cruise lines the new ships are being built for and what sort of "onboard experiences" are in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation is keeping the shipyards busy with HAL's new ship, the 2660-passenger Koningsdam launching next April, a third 3560-passenger Princess ship to match Regal and Royal Princess due in 2017 and two new luxury vessels for Seabourn, the relatively tiny 604-passenger Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, which will set sail in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
Michael White.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Chris White, from England
POSITION Receptionist, Viking Cruises' Viking Star
Eclipse offer a selection of Antarctic expedition cruises.
MY JOB I work as part of the guest services team at the open-concept Explores Desk, providing a more one-to-one guest experience in handling accounts, general enquiries and guest concerns.
MY TYPICAL DAY From the moment we arrive on duty to the moment we leave the desk it's all about making that day extra special. I live by the motto "Every day is a great day" and even if my shift does not permit me to go ashore I will still use spare time to walk around the ship to interact with guests and other colleagues. We do face challenges now and then, as in any job, and solutions are always found.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Sailing when the ocean is smooth as jelly I feel as comfortable as when I am at home on a summer's day in a park. When it's rough and choppy it's an adventure that sometimes brings on goose bumps, but that's sea life.
Pacific Jewel was the first big cruise ship to visit Dili.
MY FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS I love Copenhagen for its architecture, culture, history and cosmopolitan feel. Danish people are very friendly and the city is a pleasure to spend time in.
INSIDER TIP Book dinner at the specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table, soon after you embark. There's no extra charge and they're very popular.
TIP
Going overseas soon? Make an appointment to see your doctor at least six weeks before you leave to make sure you have any vaccinations you might need. It's also well worth getting a flu jab even it you're not planning to go far afield.
NEWS
Adventure unlimited
Eclipse Travel has just released its 2016 brochure of Latin America and Antarctica itineraries, which cater for groups of two to 10 people, and special interest groups of up to 40. The Australian and New Zealand-owned company offers a selection of Antarctic expedition cruises that range from six days, flying across the unpredictable Drake Passage from Ushuaia to King George Island, to the 32- day Ushuaia to New Zealand voyage on Ortelius (previously called Marina Svetaeva), which carries two helicopters for remote landings. See eclipsetravel.com.au
NEW FRONTIERS
Freshly refurbished after its recent dry dock in Singapore, Pacific Jewel headed to the tiny south-east Asian country of Timor-Leste, where it became the first big cruise ship to call at the port of Dili. Australia played a key role in Timor-Leste's struggle for independence, which it achieved in 2002, and the local community was out in force last Saturday to welcome Pacific Jewel's passengers. P&O Cruises is expanding its itineraries after the recent success of its cruises to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, said, "In addition to taking our passengers to otherwise remote destinations offering fabulous scenery and cultural experiences, cruise tourism can become a valuable part of island economies." Pacific Eden will call at Dili in September 2016. See pocruises.com.au
SEXY SOLO TRAVELLERS
Who knew? Travel has been rated the "sexiest hobby" by 75,000 Australian singles who were surveyed by the Elite Singles dating site. The next most attractive hobbies are fine dining and cinema – and the most unsexy are rubgy, equestrian and racquet sports. Apparently even adventure sports didn't make the top 10 – gardening and reading are more highly rated than rock-climbing or hiking. We're wondering what age group the survey covered – and whether singles will be rushing to update their online profiles?
DEAL OF THE WEEK
One for lovers of sea days: fares for ecruising.travel's 21-night Honolulu to Sydney cruise package on Carnival Legend start from a bargain $3339. Included are airfares to Honolulu, two nights at the Hilton Waikiki Beach and sightseeing tours. Carnival Legend will call at Uturoa, Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Phone 1300 369 848, see ecruising.travel.
MORE DEALS
COMPANION CRUISING has cabins for solo travellers who are happy to share on Ovation of the Seas' first cruise to Australia. It departs Singapore on November 30, 2016 for the 15-day trip that is only available through Cruiseco members. From $2599. Phone 0468 964 996, email info@companioncruising.com.au.
CELEBRITY CRUISES Book now for a 10-night eastern Mediterranean cruise on the line's newest ship, Celebrity Reflection. Departing Rome on August 21, the round trip visits seven ports in Greece, Italy and Turkey. From $2796 (ocean view). Phone 1800 754 500 see celebritycruises.com.au.
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