Ambitious boost to CMV’s new Australasian cruise itineraries

By Rama Gaind.

It’s a noteworthy statistic: cruising contributes an estimated $5 million to the Australian economy.

That’s why it’s heartening to note that a ‘home away from home’ feeling is prevalent when you’re at sea onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) vessels that offer a leisurely and friendly style of cruising and maritime experience.

CMV’s newest ship ‘Vasco da Gama’ will homeport in Adelaide and is expected to carry an additional 5,900 guests throughout its inaugural 2019/20 season.

In fact, CMV will be the world’s first cruise line to visit four South Australian ports in one voyage.

Announcing the company’s latest itineraries for the 2019/20 Australasian season launch, CMV Australia’s managing director, Dean Brazier said the company was “thrilled to also be visiting Wallaroo three times in the 2019/20 summer season”.

“As well as being an enticing destination in its own right, Wallaroo provides the perfect gateway to the Copper Coast and Yorke Peninsula. Its close proximity to the renowned food and wine region of the Clare Valley is also certain to be a drawcard for our guests,” he said.

CMV’s newest ship ‘Vasco da Gama’ will homeport in Adelaide and is expected to carry an additional 5,900 guests throughout its inaugural 2019/20 season compared with the cruise line’s previous Australasian season.

‘Vasco da Gama’ is expected to accommodate 8,400 cruise passengers from Adelaide alone – more than double the number of guests compared with the 2018/19 season.

Vasco da Gama’s inaugural Australasian season will coincide with CMV’s 10th year of operations in 2019.

‘Vasco da Gama’ offers two gorgeous pools, state-of-the-art Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, a two-tiered theatre, and five inviting bars and lounges. Six dining venues feature cuisine from around the world and the ‘Chef’s Table’ will provide a degustation menu plus an insight into the workings of the galley.

“Cruise & Maritime Voyages has a high level of repeat patronage so we wanted to offer a range of new options on board Vasco da Gama, and accommodate the increased demand for our cruises,” Mr Brazier said.

As well as attracting visitors to Wallaroo, Penneshaw-Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, South Australians will be able to experience new destinations in CMV’s 2019/20 Australasian season.

“Our 2019/20 itineraries will make compelling tourist regions such as South Australia, Tasmania, Australia’s North West and Southeast Asia more accessible and more affordable for guests to experience.”

Wallaroo, a port town on the western side of Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, is 160 kilometres northwest of Adelaide.

Vast grain silos greet visitors to Wallaroo, a coastal town and shipping port on the west coast of Yorke Peninsula. The town is an interesting mix of tourism and industry. The safe beaches and excellent fishing prove popular with holiday-makers, while the commercial port controls exports of barley and wheat. Wallaroo exists thanks to a lucky shepherd’s discovery of copper in 1859. Vast deposits were uncovered and soon thousands of Cornish miners arrived. The area boomed until the 1920s, when copper prices dropped and the industry slowly died out. Wallaroo’s buildings and old Cornish-style cottages are a reminder of its colourful past. Wallaroo and nearby towns Moonta and Kadina are part of the ‘Copper Coast’ or ‘Little Cornwall’.

Along with a rich history, Wallaroo was named as having some of South Australia’s best beaches last year!

Voyage varieties

According to the South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex, securing increased commitment from CMV was a major achievement for the state.

“South Australia boasts a wealth of tourism assets that distinguish us from other destinations and ports around the world,” Mr Harrex said. “Being the first ship to visit all four of our ports in one cruise is not only an unforgettable experience for our visitors, but a great opportunity for South Australians to jump on board and explore their own backyard.”

As well as attracting visitors to Wallaroo, Penneshaw-Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, South Australians will be able to experience new destinations in CMV’s 2019/20 Australasian season including Portland (Vic), Phillip Island (Vic) and Sandakan (Borneo). Vasco da Gama will also cruise from Fremantle, Sydney and Singapore and make a maiden call for CMV to Kuri Bay (WA).

‘Vasco da Gama’ will also go to Dolphin Cove, Esperance, WA.

Cruises will range from a two-night New Year Indulgence – where guests can witness Glenelg’s fireworks while at sea – to 10-night voyages around Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, and exotic escapes to Southeast Asia.

The introduction of Broome to CMV’s itineraries in 2019/20 is expected to be a drawcard for guests while favourites such as Geraldton (WA), Melbourne and Semarang (Indonesia) will return. A grand 45-night voyage from Singapore to London will conclude the season.

The ship will accommodate up to 1,200 guests per cruise as compared with 550 on CMV’s Astor, which will cruise from Adelaide for part of the 2018/19 summer season. CMV will remain focussed on providing the intimate service and atmosphere that has become its signature across its fleet.

Other season highlights:

‘Pathways to the Pagodas’ 13-night cruise from Adelaide to Bali featuring destinations such as Margaret River and Broome
14-night round trip from Singapore touring Southeast Asia, which is also a first for CMV
Cruises around Australia’s Coral Coast and Australia’s South West including iconic Esperance.

Key season dates:

Vasco da Gama’s first Australian voyage will depart from Sydney on
1 December 2019
Its last Australian cruise for the season will depart Fremantle on
12 February 2020
‘Treasures of the Tropics’ Southeast Asia cruise will depart 24 February 2020
Its Northbound Voyage to Britain will depart Singapore on 9 March 2020, featuring a maiden call for CMV to Limassol (Cyprus).

Cruise & Maritime Voyages accommodates couples, groups and solo travellers – ‘Vasco da Gama’ offers 40 cabins for guests travelling by themselves.

The accommodation is comfortable on board the ‘Vasco da Gama’.

Mr Brazier said CMV’s renowned personalised service and relaxed country-club style of cruising would continue on board ‘Vasco da Gama’. “Guests will be able to enjoy a greater choice of facilities and dining experiences in a stylish setting.”

This combines attentive and friendly service with stylish entertainment, delicious cuisine, daytime activities and guest speaker and craft programs on most sailings.

The CEO of the Australian Cruise Association, Jill Abel, says recent figures show that Australia remains a vibrant hub for cruising.

“As the global cruise industry continues to grow, we are excited to see independent cruise lines such as Cruise & Maritime Voyages expand into new destinations and extend their itineraries,” Ms Able said.

“This benefits passengers who get to enjoy a range of inspiring on-shore experiences throughout Australia. It also benefits our country’s major gateway cities, as well as fast-growing regional ports which in turn enjoy resulting infrastructure and destination development.”

A cruise has proved to be one of the most economical ways to have a holiday – typically including meals, entertainment, accommodation and sometimes bonus on-board credit – with the added benefit of visiting not just one, but multiple ports and countries.

DETAILS BOX

East Coast Discovery

Sydney to Adelaide

1 Dec 2019 | 5 Nights | Vasco da Gama

From $629pp (twin share)

Voyage: https://cmvaustralia.com/cruise/v002/east-coast-discovery

Tasmanian Explorer

Adelaide Roundtrip

9 Dec 2019 | 8 Nights | Vasco da Gama

Standard Plus Twin Inner Cabins From $1,139pp (twin share)

Voyage: https://cmvaustralia.com/cruise/v004/tasmanian-explorer

Bali & Treasures of the Northwest