RCI’s Rhapsody of the Seas collects
Travel agents have been having a fine old time wining and dining on board Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas [pictured right] which docked at Circular Quay over the weekend before departing on its Australian/South Pacific voyage.
The visit is Rhapsody’s debut in Australian waters and the huge ship that can carry 2435 passengers has attracted plenty of attention and picked up a host of Australian cruise fans.
“More and more Australians are taking to cruising,” said Richard Cranmer, of Royal Caribbean Cruises Australia.
“They are not only booking a lot of our cruises circumnavigating Australia, they’re also cruising the Tasman, South Pacific and around Asia.” “This is not only first time cruisers, but also a lot of people who are returning for their second, third and even sixth and seventh times.”
“They are looking for more from their cruising experience which is why we think they are looking to brands like Royal Caribbean where we offer an almost endless range of quality entertainment, cuisine and both the relaxing and adventurous things people love to do on holiday.”
RCI ships are renowned for their resort-like atmosphere, glitzy Las Vegas-style productions and quirky facilities such as a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink.
The CruiseMole will be seeing this up close when Rhapsody returns to Sydney and cruise industry partners are invited on board for a ship tour on November 10, so keep an eye out for that report.
Meanwhile, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer 14-night open jaw sailings from Sydney and New Zealand this season, cruising through the Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound and calling on the ports of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland.
From November 24, the ship will set sail on a 15-night cruise to Singapore, visiting Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns and Darwin before heading to Bali.
Rhapsody’s sister ship, Millennium, will also visit Australia, with sailings set to commence in 2008.
RCI cruises can be booked through www.cruiseagents.travel
A CruiseMole Report brought to you by CruiseAgents
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