Innovatia

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE CRUISE INDUSTRY By Rose Lane When the newly-repurposed Peninsula and Ori- ental mail delivery ship set out from Southamp- ton on the world’s first dedicated leisure cruise in 1844, its passengers could not have imagined that such cruises would one day be taken in ships twenty stories high and boast “neighbourhoods” and a “Central Park”. The latest of these mega-ships, Royal Carib- bean’s Icon of the Seas, is currently under con- struction in Rostock, Germany and when it sets sail from Miami in 2024 will be the world’s larg- est cruise ship, capable of carrying 7,600 passen- gers. It is this ship that will have its own “Surfside neighbourhood”, a space for families including a waterpark and child-friendly buffet restaurant. Sleeping up to eight guests, the suites, called townhouses, spread over three levels and include three bathrooms, a dining room and kitchenette, a daybed, a slide from the children’s bedroom to the living room, and a cinema room, complete with popcorn machine. The ship will also have an infinity pool, a wa- terfall under the AquaDome, and an ice-skating arena where performers will skate surrounded by an enormous digitally-mapped screen. The ship will boast twenty restaurants with themes – the New York jazz-era Empire Supper Club, for example – offering everything from sushi rolls to caviar and wagyu steaks. It’s sheer size means Brisbane is the only Australian port it

will be able to access. Silversea’s Silver Nova ship is the ultimate in luxury. It commenced cruising in 2023 and can carry up to 728 guests. The ship’s maiden voyage was through the Mediterranean, with the Americas, Alaska, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand to be added in 2025. The ship has six restaurants and five bars. It’s signature S.A.L.T (Sea And Land Tastes) kitchen has a menu that changes with each destination, using local rec- ipes and ingredients. Here guests can enjoy an immersive cooking experience, working along- side the chefs. The Venetian Lounge is a two-storey theatre using the latest in audio-visual technology and for daytime lectures, the theatre allows in an abundance of natural light. To experience a tra- ditional Atlantic crossing, the Silver Nova trav- els from Lisbon to New York via the Azores over 33 days. In March this year, Seabourn Cruises an- nounced new expeditions on their two new vessels, the Seabourn Venture and the Sea- bourn Pursuit. These ships are purpose built for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic as well as the South Pacific, and will begin voyages in the Kimberley region starting in June 2024. The ships have ice-strengthened hulls and ad- vanced manoeuvring technology for superior stability, safety, and comfort. There are 132 oceanfront suites per vessel, all with veran- das, two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs and kayaks and a 24-person expedition team. Guests also have access to award-winning din- ing, with complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times. Robin West, Vice President and General Man- ager of Expeditions says, “These new expedi-

INNOVATIA

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INNOVATIA

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